Червона літера
Hester and the Physician
"AndwhatamInow?"demandedhe,lookingintoherface,andpermittingthewholeevilwithinhimtobewrittenonhisfeatures."IhavealreadytoldtheewhatIam—afiend!Whomademeso?"
"Itwasmyself,"criedHester,shuddering."ItwasI,notlessthanhe.Whyhastthounotavengedthyselfonme?"
"Ihavelefttheetothescarletletter,"repliedRogerChillingworth."Ifthathasnotavengedme,Icandonomore!"
Helaidhisfingeronitwithasmile.
"Ithasavengedthee,"answeredHesterPrynne.
"Ijudgednoless,"saidthephysician."Andnowwhatwouldstthouwithmetouchingthisman?"
"Imustrevealthesecret,"answeredHester,firmly."Hemustdiscerntheeinthytruecharacter.WhatmaybetheresultIknownot.Butthislongdebtofconfidence,duefrommetohim,whosebaneandruinIhavebeen,shallatlengthbepaid.Sofarasconcernstheoverthroworpreservationofhisfairfameandhisearthlystate,andperchancehislife,heisinmyhands.NordoI—whomthescarletletterhasdisciplinedtotruth,thoughitbethetruthofred-hotironenteringintothesoul—nordoIperceivesuchadvantageinhislivinganylongeralifeofghastlyemptiness,thatIshallstooptoimplorethymercy.Dowithhimasthouwilt!Thereisnogoodforhim,nogoodforme,nogoodforthee.ThereisnogoodforlittlePearl.Thereisnopathtoguideusoutofthisdismalmaze."
