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The Scarlet Letter: Pearl

Freed from prison, Hester did not flee, but established herself in a small cottage just outside the town, incurring no risk of want, for she possessed the art of needlework, which provided food for herself and child. She had named the little one "Pearl," as being of great price, and little Pearl grew up a lovely child. People wished to take her away, and the matter was discussed in the mother's presence by Governor Bellingham and his guests--Rev. John Wilson, Rev. Mr. Dimmesdale, and Doctor Chillingworth. "God gave me the child!" cried Hester, and turning to the young clergyman, Mr. Dimmesdale, she exclaimed: "Speak thou for me. Thou wast my pastor. Thou knowest what is in my heart and what are a mother's rights, and how much the stronger they are when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter! I will not lose the child! Look to it!" "There is truth in what she says," began the minister. "There is a quality of awful sacredness between this mother and this child. It is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant confided to her care--to be trained by her to righteousness. Let us leave them as Providence hath seen fit to place them!" "You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness," said Roger Chillingworth, smiling at him. "He hath adduced such arguments that we will even leave the matter as it now stands," said the governor. The affair being so satisfactorily concluded, Hester and Pearl departed.

Rev. Mr. Dimmesdale's health failing, he consulted Doctor Chillingworth. Taking him as a patient, the doctor decided to know the man's inmost nature before trying to heal him. Arrangements were made for the two men to lodge together so that he might be constantly under the doctor's observation. As Doctor Chillingworth proceeded with his investigation, begun, as he imagined, with the integrity of a judge desirous only of truth, a terrible fascination seized him and insisted that he do its bidding. He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart, like a miner seeking gold; and Mr. Dimmesdale grew to look at him with an unaccountable horror.

Often Mr. Dimmesdale tried to speak the truth of his past from the pulpit, but had cheated himself by confessing his sinfulness in general terms. Once, indulging in the mockery of repentance, he mounted the scaffold where Hester had stood. There was no danger of discovery, for every one was asleep. Even so he was surprised by Hester and Pearl, returning from a death-bed in the town, and presently by Roger Chillingworth. "Who is that man?" gasped Mr. Dimmersdale, in terror. "I shiver at him, Hester. Canst thou do nothing for me? I have a nameless horror of the man." Remembering her promise, Hester was silent. "Worthy sir," said the doctor, advancing to the platform, "pious Master Dimmesdale! Can this be you? Come, good sir, I pray you, let me lead you home! You should study less, or these night-whimsies will grow upon you." Hester now resolved to do what she could for the victim whom she saw in her former husband's grip. One day she met the old doctor in the woods, seeking herbs, and implored him to be merciful, saying that she must now reveal the secret of their former relationship, no matter what befell. A week later Hester awaited the clergyman in the forest and told him about Roger Chillingworth and their relationship, bidding him hope for a new life beyond the sea in some rural village. "Thou shalt not go alone," she whispered.