Алая буква
The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter
Theybeheldtheminister,leaningonHester’sshoulder,andsupportedbyherarmaroundhim,approachthescaffold,andascenditssteps;whilestillthelittlehandofthesin-bornchildwasclaspedinhis.OldRogerChillingworthfollowed,asoneintimatelyconnectedwiththedramaofguiltandsorrowinwhichtheyhadallbeenactors,andwellentitled,thereforetobepresentatitsclosingscene.
"Hadstthousoughtthewholeearthover,"saidhelookingdarklyattheclergyman,"therewasnooneplacesosecret—nohighplacenorlowlyplace,wherethoucouldsthaveescapedme—saveonthisveryscaffold!"
"ThanksbetoHimwhohathledmehither!"answeredtheminister.
Yethetrembled,andturnedtoHester,withanexpressionofdoubtandanxietyinhiseyes,notthelessevidentlybetrayed,thattherewasafeeblesmileuponhislips.
"Isnotthisbetter,"murmuredhe,"thanwhatwedreamedofintheforest?"
"Iknownot!Iknownot!"shehurriedlyreplied"Better?Yea;sowemaybothdie,andlittlePearldiewithus!"
"FortheeandPearl,beitasGodshallorder,"saidtheminister;"andGodismerciful!LetmenowdothewillwhichHehathmadeplainbeforemysight.For,Hester,Iamadyingman.Soletmemakehastetotakemyshameuponme!"
PartlysupportedbyHesterPrynne,andholdingonehandoflittlePearl’s,theReverendMr.
