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The Interview
Myhomeiswherethouartandwhereheis.Butbetraymenot!"
"Whereforedostthoudesireit?"inquiredHester,shrinking,shehardlyknewwhy,fromthissecretbond."Whynotannouncethyselfopenly,andcastmeoffatonce?"
"Itmaybe,"hereplied,"becauseIwillnotencounterthedishonourthatbesmirchesthehusbandofafaithlesswoman.Itmaybeforotherreasons.Enough,itismypurposetoliveanddieunknown.Let,therefore,thyhusbandbetotheworldasonealreadydead,andofwhomnotidingsshallevercome.Recognisemenot,byword,bysign,bylook!Breathenotthesecret,aboveall,tothemanthouwottestof.Shouldstthoufailmeinthis,beware!Hisfame,hisposition,hislifewillbeinmyhands.Beware!"
"Iwillkeepthysecret,asIhavehis,"saidHester.
"Swearit!"rejoinedhe.
Andshetooktheoath.
"Andnow,MistressPrynne,"saidoldRogerChillingworth,ashewashereaftertobenamed,"Ileavetheealone:alonewiththyinfantandthescarletletter!Howisit,Hester?Doththysentencebindtheetowearthetokeninthysleep?Artthounotafraidofnightmaresandhideousdreams?"
"Whydostthousmilesoatme?"inquiredHester,troubledattheexpressionofhiseyes."ArtthouliketheBlackManthathauntstheforestroundaboutus?Hastthouenticedmeintoabondthatwillprovetheruinofmysoul?"
"Notthysoul,"heanswered,withanothersmile."No,notthine!"
