Алая буква
The Minister in a Maze
"HaveIthensoldmyself,"thoughttheminister,"tothefiendwhom,ifmensaytrue,thisyellow-starchedandvelvetedoldhaghaschosenforherprinceandmaster?"
Thewretchedminister!Hehadmadeabargainverylikeit!Temptedbyadreamofhappiness,hehadyieldedhimselfwithdeliberatechoice,ashehadneverdonebefore,towhatheknewwasdeadlysin.Andtheinfectiouspoisonofthatsinhadbeenthusrapidlydiffusedthroughouthismoralsystem.Ithadstupefiedallblessedimpulses,andawakenedintovividlifethewholebrotherhoodofbadones.Scorn,bitterness,unprovokedmalignity,gratuitousdesireofill,ridiculeofwhateverwasgoodandholy,allawoketotempt,evenwhiletheyfrightenedhim.AndhisencounterwitholdMistressHibbins,ifitwerearealincident,didbutshowitssympathyandfellowshipwithwickedmortals,andtheworldofpervertedspirits.
Hehadbythistimereachedhisdwellingontheedgeoftheburialground,and,hasteningupthestairs,tookrefugeinhisstudy.Theministerwasgladtohavereachedthisshelter,withoutfirstbetrayinghimselftotheworldbyanyofthosestrangeandwickedeccentricitiestowhichhehadbeencontinuallyimpelledwhilepassingthroughthestreets.Heenteredtheaccustomedroom,andlookedaroundhimonitsbooks,itswindows,itsfireplace,andthetapestriedcomfortofthewalls,withthesameperceptionofstrangenessthathadhauntedhimthroughouthiswalkfromtheforestdellintothetownandthitherward.
