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           Nevertheless—toholdnothingbackfromthereader—itwasbecause,onthethirddayfromthepresent,hewastopreachtheElectionSermon;and,assuchanoccasionformedanhonourableepochinthelifeofaNewEnglandClergyman,hecouldnothavechanceduponamoresuitablemodeandtimeofterminatinghisprofessionalcareer."Atleast,theyshallsayofme,"thoughtthisexemplaryman,"thatIleavenopublicdutyunperformedorill-performed!"Sad,indeed,thatanintrospectionsoprofoundandacuteasthispoorminister’sshouldbesomiserablydeceived!Wehavehad,andmaystillhave,worsethingstotellofhim;butnone,weapprehend,sopitiablyweak;noevidence,atoncesoslightandirrefragable,ofasubtlediseasethathadlongsincebeguntoeatintotherealsubstanceofhischaracter.Noman,foranyconsiderableperiod,canwearonefacetohimselfandanothertothemultitude,withoutfinallygettingbewilderedastowhichmaybethetrue.

           TheexcitementofMr.Dimmesdale’sfeelingsashereturnedfromhisinterviewwithHester,lenthimunaccustomedphysicalenergy,andhurriedhimtownwardatarapidpace.Thepathwayamongthewoodsseemedwilder,moreuncouthwithitsrudenaturalobstacles,andlesstroddenbythefootofman,thanheremembereditonhisoutwardjourney.Butheleapedacrosstheplashyplaces,thrusthimselfthroughtheclingingunderbush,climbedtheascent,plungedintothehollow,andovercame,inshort,allthedifficultiesofthetrack,withanunweariableactivitythatastonishedhim.