Алая буква
The Interview
Soonerorlater,hemustneedsbemine."
Theeyesofthewrinkledscholarglowedsointenselyuponher,thatHesterPrynneclaspedherhandoverherheart,dreadinglestheshouldreadthesecretthereatonce.
"Thouwiltnotrevealhisname?Notthelessheismine,"resumedhe,withalookofconfidence,asifdestinywereatonewithhim."Hebearsnoletterofinfamywroughtintohisgarment,asthoudost,butIshallreaditonhisheart.Yetfearnotforhim!ThinknotthatIshallinterferewithHeaven’sownmethodofretribution,or,tomyownloss,betrayhimtothegripeofhumanlaw.NeitherdothouimaginethatIshallcontriveaughtagainsthislife;no,noragainsthisfame,ifasIjudge,hebeamanoffairrepute.Lethimlive!Lethimhidehimselfinoutwardhonour,ifhemay!Notthelessheshallbemine!"
"Thyactsarelikemercy,"saidHester,bewilderedandappalled;"butthywordsinterprettheeasaterror!"
"Onething,thouthatwastmywife,Iwouldenjoinuponthee,"continuedthescholar."Thouhastkeptthesecretofthyparamour.Keep,likewise,mine!Therearenoneinthislandthatknowme.Breathenottoanyhumansoulthatthoudidstevercallmehusband!Here,onthiswildoutskirtoftheearth,Ishallpitchmytent;for,elsewhereawanderer,andisolatedfromhumaninterests,Ifindhereawoman,aman,achild,amongstwhomandmyselfthereexisttheclosestligaments.Nomatterwhetherofloveorhate:nomatterwhetherofrightorwrong!Thouandthine,HesterPrynne,belongtome
