Алая буква
The Governor’s Hall
Onthewallhungarowofportraits,representingtheforefathersoftheBellinghamlineage,somewitharmourontheirbreasts,andotherswithstatelyruffsandrobesofpeace.Allwerecharacterisedbythesternnessandseveritywhicholdportraitssoinvariablyputon,asiftheyweretheghosts,ratherthanthepictures,ofdepartedworthies,andweregazingwithharshandintolerantcriticismatthepursuitsandenjoymentsoflivingmen.
Ataboutthecentreoftheoakenpanelsthatlinedthehallwassuspendedasuitofmail,not,likethepictures,anancestralrelic,butofthemostmoderndate;forithadbeenmanufacturedbyaskilfularmourerinLondon,thesameyearinwhichGovernorBellinghamcameovertoNewEngland.Therewasasteelhead-piece,acuirass,agorgetandgreaves,withapairofgauntletsandaswordhangingbeneath;all,andespeciallythehelmetandbreastplate,sohighlyburnishedastoglowwithwhiteradiance,andscatteranilluminationeverywhereaboutuponthefloor.Thisbrightpanoplywasnotmeantformereidleshow,buthadbeenwornbytheGovernoronmanyasolemnmusteranddrainingfield,andhadglittered,moreover,attheheadofaregimentinthePequodwar.For,thoughbredalawyer,andaccustomedtospeakofBacon,Coke,Noye,andFinch,ashisprofessionalassociates,theexigentiesofthisnewcountryhadtransformedGovernorBellinghamintoasoldier,aswellasastatesmanandruler.
