Алая буква
The Minister in a Maze
Dimmesdalelongedatleasttoshakehandswiththetarryblack-guard,andrecreatehimselfwithafewimproperjests,suchasdissolutesailorssoaboundwith,andavolleyofgood,round,solid,satisfactory,andheaven-defyingoaths!Itwasnotsomuchabetterprinciple,aspartlyhisnaturalgoodtaste,andstillmorehisbuckramedhabitofclericaldecorum,thatcarriedhimsafelythroughthelattercrisis.
"Whatisitthathauntsandtemptsmethus?"criedtheministertohimself,atlength,pausinginthestreet,andstrikinghishandagainsthisforehead.
"AmImad?oramIgivenoverutterlytothefiend?DidImakeacontractwithhimintheforest,andsignitwithmyblood?Anddoeshenowsummonmetoitsfulfilment,bysuggestingtheperformanceofeverywickednesswhichhismostfoulimaginationcanconceive?"
AtthemomentwhentheReverendMr.Dimmesdalethuscommunedwithhimself,andstruckhisforeheadwithhishand,oldMistressHibbins,thereputedwitch-lady,issaidtohavebeenpassingby.Shemadeaverygrandappearance,havingonahighhead-dress,arichgownofvelvet,andaruffdoneupwiththefamousyellowstarch,ofwhichAnneTurner,herespecialfriend,hadtaughtherthesecret,beforethislastgoodladyhadbeenhangedforSirThomasOverbury’smurder.Whetherthewitchhadreadtheminister’sthoughtsorno,shecametoafullstop,lookedshrewdlyintohisface,smiledcraftily,and—thoughlittlegiventoconversewithclergymen—beganaconversation.
