Evening journal., 1892-09-06
CHApTER ri
HESTER AND TINE PHYSICIAN.

In her late singular interview with
Mr. Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne was
Knocked at the condition to which she
found the clergymen reduced. His
nerve seemed absolutely destroyed. His
moral force was abased into more than
childish weakness. 1t groveled help
less on the ground even while his intel
lectual faculties retained their pristine
strength, or had perhaps acquired
morbid energy which disease only could
have given them. With her knowledge
Of a train Of circumstances hidden from
ell others she could readily infer that,
besides the legitimate action of his own
conscience, a terrible machinery had
been brought to bear and was still oper-
ating on Mr.. Dimmesdale's well being
and repose.
knowing what this poor, fallen man
had once been, her whole soul was moved
by the sliuddering terror with which he
had appealed to her-the outcast woman
for support against his instinctiyely
discovered enemy She decided, more
over. that he had a right to her utmost
aid Little accustomed, in her long
seclusion from society, TO measure her
ideas of right and wrong by any stand
ard external to herself. Hester SAVIOR
seemed TO see-that there lay a response
bility upon her, in reference to the clergy
man. which she owed to no other, nor to
the whole world besides. The links that
united her to the rest of human kind
links of flowers or silk or gold or what
/ ever the material-had all been broken.
/ Here was the iron link Of mutual crime.
which neither he nor she could break.
Like all other ties, it brought along with
it its obligations.
Now, however, her interview with
the Reverend Mr.. Dimmesdale, on the
night Of his vigil, had given her new
theme of reflection, and held up to her an
object that appeared worthy Of any ex-
ertion and sacrifice for its attainment.
She had witnessed the intense misery
beneath which the minister struggled
or, to speak more accurately, had ceased
to struggle. She saw that he stood on
the verge Of lunacy, if he had moi
already stepped across it. 1t was i'm
possible to doubt, that whatever pain
full efficacy there might be in the secret
sting of remorse, a deadlier venom haC
been infused into it by the hand thai
profered relief. A secret enemy hat
been continually by his side, under the
semblance Of a friend and helper, anC
had availed himself of the opportunities
thus afforded for tainpering with the
delicate springs Of Mr.. Dimmesdale'
nature.
Hester could not but ask hersel
whether there had not originally been 1
defect of truth, courage and loyalty Of
her own part in allowing the ministe
to be thrown into a position where 50
much evil was to be foreboded an,
nothing auspicious to be hoped. He
only justification lay in the fact that sh
had been able to discern no method o
rescuing him from blacker ruin thar
had overwhelmed herself, except b.
acquiescing in Roger Chillingworth'
scheme Of disguise. Under that impuls
she had made her choice, and had chosen
rs it now appeared, the more wretche
alternative Of the two. She determine
to redeem her error 50 far as it Nigh
yet be possible Strengthened by year
Of hard and solemn trial, she felt hei
self no longer so inadequate TO cop
with Roger Chillingworth as on tina
, night, abased by sin and half maddene
/. by the ignominy that was still new
when they had talked together in tn
: prison chamber. She had climbed he
way since then to a higher point. III
T, old man, on the other hand, had brougi
! himself nearer to her level, or perhaI
! below it, by the revenge which he la
stopped for.
In fine. Hester Prynne resolved
. meet her former husband, and do WIFI
b might be in her power for the rescue
!. the victim on whom he had so evident
set his grippe. The occasion was not Ion
4 to seek One afternoon, walking wit
!, Pearl in q retired part Of the peninsula
p she beheld the old physician. with
"a basket ON one arm and staff In q
other hand. STOPPING along the groun
2 in quest Of roots and herbs to CONGO
his medicines withal.
: Hester bado little Pearl run down