Алая буква
The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter
Buthefoughtbackthebodilyweakness—and,stillmore,thefaintnessofheart—thatwasstrivingforthemasterywithhim.Hethrewoffallassistance,andsteppedpassionatelyforwardapacebeforethewomanandthechildren.
"Itwasonhim!"hecontinued,withakindoffierceness;sodeterminedwashetospeakouttilewhole."God’seyebeheldit!Theangelswereforeverpointingatit!(TheDevilknewitwell,andfretteditcontinuallywiththetouchofhisburningfinger!)Buthehiditcunninglyfrommen,andwalkedamongyouwiththemienofaspirit,mournful,becausesopureinasinfulworld!—andsad,becausehemissedhisheavenlykindred!Now,atthedeath-hour,hestandsupbeforeyou!HebidsyoulookagainatHester’sscarletletter!Hetellsyou,that,withallitsmysterioushorror,itisbuttheshadowofwhathebearsonhisownbreast,andthateventhis,hisownredstigma,isnomorethanthetypeofwhathassearedhisinmostheart!StandanyherethatquestionGod’sjudgmentonasinner!Behold!Behold,adreadfulwitnessofit!"
Withaconvulsivemotion,hetoreawaytheministerialbandfrombeforehisbreast.Itwasrevealed!Butitwereirreverenttodescribethatrevelation.Foraninstant,thegazeofthehorror-strickenmultitudewasconcentratedontheghastlymiracle;whiletheministerstood,withaflushoftriumphinhisface,asonewho,inthecrisisofacutestpain,hadwonavictory.Then,downhesankuponthescaffold!Hesterpartlyraisedhim,andsupportedhisheadagainstherbosom.
