Червона літера
The Recognition
Andwho,byyourfavour,Sir,maybethefatherofyonderbabe—itissomethreeorfourmonthsold,Ishouldjudge—whichMistressPrynneisholdinginherarms?"
"Ofatruth,friend,thatmatterremainethariddle;andtheDanielwhoshallexpounditisyeta-wanting,"answeredthetownsman."MadameHesterabsolutelyrefusethtospeak,andthemagistrateshavelaidtheirheadstogetherinvain.Peradventuretheguiltyonestandslookingonatthissadspectacle,unknownofman,andforgettingthatGodseeshim."
"Thelearnedman,"observedthestrangerwithanothersmile,"shouldcomehimselftolookintothemystery."
"Itbehoveshimwellifhebestillinlife,"respondedthetownsman."Now,goodSir,ourMassachusettsmagistracy,bethinkingthemselvesthatthiswomanisyouthfulandfair,anddoubtlesswasstronglytemptedtoherfall,andthat,moreover,asismostlikely,herhusbandmaybeatthebottomofthesea,theyhavenotbeenboldtoputinforcetheextremityofourrighteouslawagainsther.Thepenaltythereofisdeath.ButintheirgreatmercyandtendernessofhearttheyhavedoomedMistressPrynnetostandonlyaspaceofthreehoursontheplatformofthepillory,andthenandthereafter,fortheremainderofhernaturallifetowearamarkofshameuponherbosom."
"Awisesentence,"remarkedthestranger,gravely,bowinghishead."Thusshewillbealivingsermonagainstsin,untiltheignominiousletterbeengraveduponhertombstone.
