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The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter
OldRogerChillingworthkneltdownbesidehim,withablank,dullcountenance,outofwhichthelifeseemedtohavedeparted,
"Thouhastescapedme!"herepeatedmorethanonce."Thouhastescapedme!"
"MayGodforgivethee!"saidtheminister."Thou,too,hastdeeplysinned!"
Hewithdrewhisdyingeyesfromtheoldman,andfixedthemonthewomanandthechild.
"MylittlePearl,"saidhe,feeblyandtherewasasweetandgentlesmileoverhisface,asofaspiritsinkingintodeeprepose;nay,nowthattheburdenwasremoved,itseemedalmostasifhewouldbesportivewiththechild—"dearlittlePearl,wiltthoukissmenow?Thouwouldstnot,yonder,intheforest!Butnowthouwilt?"
Pearlkissedhislips.Aspellwasbroken.Thegreatsceneofgrief,inwhichthewildinfantboreaparthaddevelopedallhersympathies;andashertearsfelluponherfather’scheek,theywerethepledgethatshewouldgrowupamidhumanjoyandsorrow,norforeverdobattlewiththeworld,butbeawomaninit.Towardshermother,too,Pearl’serrandasamessengerofanguishwasfulfilled.
"Hester,"saidtheclergyman,"farewell!"
"Shallwenotmeetagain?"whisperedshe,bendingherfacedownclosetohis."Shallwenotspendourimmortallifetogether?Surely,surely,wehaveransomedoneanother,withallthiswoe!Thoulookestfarintoeternity,withthosebrightdyingeyes!Thentellmewhatthouseest!"
"Hush,Hester—hush!"saidhe,withtremuloussolemnity
