Алая буква
The Procession
Howdeeplyhadtheyknowneachotherthen!Andwasthistheman?Shehardlyknewhimnow!He,movingproudlypast,envelopedasitwere,intherichmusic,withtheprocessionofmajesticandvenerablefathers;he,sounattainableinhisworldlyposition,andstillmoresointhatfarvistaofhisunsympathizingthoughts,throughwhichshenowbeheldhim!Herspiritsankwiththeideathatallmusthavebeenadelusion,andthat,vividlyasshehaddreamedit,therecouldbenorealbondbetwixttheclergymanandherself.AndthusmuchofwomanwasthereinHester,thatshecouldscarcelyforgivehim—leastofallnow,whentheheavyfootstepoftheirapproachingFatemightbeheard,nearer,nearer,nearer!—forbeingablesocompletelytowithdrawhimselffromtheirmutualworld—whileshegropeddarkly,andstretchedforthhercoldhands,andfoundhimnot.
Pearleithersawandrespondedtohermother’sfeelings,orherselffelttheremotenessandintangibilitythathadfallenaroundtheminister.Whiletheprocessionpassed,thechildwasuneasy,flutteringupanddown,likeabirdonthepointoftakingflight.Whenthewholehadgoneby,shelookedupintoHester’sface—
"Mother,"saidshe,"wasthatthesameministerthatkissedmebythebrook?"
"Holdthypeace,dearlittlePearl!"whisperedhermother."Wemustnotalwaystalkinthemarketplaceofwhathappenstousintheforest."
"Icouldnotbesurethatitwashe—sostrangehelooked,"continuedthechild.
