Алая буква
The Minister in a Maze
"So,reverendsir,youhavemadeavisitintotheforest,"observedthewitch-lady,noddingherhighhead-dressathim."ThenexttimeIprayyoutoallowmeonlyafairwarning,andIshallbeproudtobearyoucompany.Withouttakingovermuchuponmyselfmygoodwordwillgofartowardsgaininganystrangegentlemanafairreceptionfromyonderpotentateyouwotof."
"Iprofess,madam,"answeredtheclergyman,withagraveobeisance,suchasthelady’srankdemanded,andhisowngoodbreedingmadeimperative—"Iprofess,onmyconscienceandcharacter,thatIamutterlybewilderedastouchingthepurportofyourwords!Iwentnotintotheforesttoseekapotentate,neitherdoI,atanyfuturetime,designavisitthither,withaviewtogainingthefavourofsuchpersonage.Myonesufficientobjectwastogreetthatpiousfriendofmine,theApostleEliot,andrejoicewithhimoverthemanyprecioussoulshehathwonfromheathendom!"
"Ha,ha,ha!"cackledtheoldwitch-lady,stillnoddingherhighhead-dressattheminister."Well,well!wemustneedstalkthusinthedaytime!Youcarryitofflikeanoldhand!Butatmidnight,andintheforest,weshallhaveothertalktogether!"
Shepassedonwithheragedstateliness,butoftenturningbackherheadandsmilingathim,likeonewillingtorecogniseasecretintimacyofconnexion.
