Pearl

           Wehaveasyethardlyspokenoftheinfantthatlittlecreature,whoseinnocentlifehadsprung,bytheinscrutabledecreeofProvidence,alovelyandimmortalflower,outoftherankluxurianceofaguiltypassion.Howstrangeitseemedtothesadwoman,asshewatchedthegrowth,andthebeautythatbecameeverydaymorebrilliant,andtheintelligencethatthrewitsquiveringsunshineoverthetinyfeaturesofthischild!HerPearl—forsohadHestercalledher;notasanameexpressiveofheraspect,whichhadnothingofthecalm,white,unimpassionedlustrethatwouldbeindicatedbythecomparison.Butshenamedtheinfant"Pearl,"asbeingofgreatprice—purchasedwithallshehad—hermother’sonlytreasure!Howstrange,indeed!Manhadmarkedthiswoman’ssinbyascarletletter,whichhadsuchpotentanddisastrousefficacythatnohumansympathycouldreachher,saveitweresinfullikeherself.God,asadirectconsequenceofthesinwhichmanthuspunished,hadgivenheralovelychild,whoseplacewasonthatsamedishonouredbosom,toconnectherparentforeverwiththeraceanddescentofmortals,andtobefinallyablessedsoulinheaven!YetthesethoughtsaffectedHesterPrynnelesswithhopethanapprehension.Sheknewthatherdeedhadbeenevil;shecouldhavenofaith,therefore,thatitsresultwouldbegood.Dayafterdayshelookedfearfullyintothechild’sexpandingnature,everdreadingtodetectsomedarkandwildpeculiaritythatshouldcorrespondwiththeguiltinesstowhichsheowedherbeing.