波波小说

第34部分（第1页）

strange…　no　passion　nor　eagerness…　in　thy　wayof　accosting　her；〃　whispered　Hester。　〃Our　Pearl　is　a　fitful　andfantastic　little　elf；　sometimes。　Especially；　she　is　seldom　tolerant　ofemotion；　when　she　does　not　fully　prehend　the　why　and　wherefore。　Butthe　child　hath　strong　affections！　She　loves　me；　and　will　love　thee！〃　　〃Thou　canst　not　think；〃　said　the　minister；　glancing　aside　atHester　Prynne；　〃how　my　heart　dreads　this　interview；　and　yearns　for　it！But；　in　truth；　as　I　already　told　thee；　children　are　not　readily　won　tobe　familiar　with　me。　They　will　not　climb　my　knee；　nor　prattle　in　myear；　nor　answer　to　my　smile；　but　stand　apart；　and　eye　me　strangely。Even　little　babes；　when　I　take　them　in　my　arms；　weep　bitterly。　YetPearl；　twice　in　her　little　lifetime；　hath　been　kind　to　me！　The　firsttime…　thou　knowest　it　well！　The　last　was　when　thou　ledst　her　with　theeto　the　house　of　yonder　stern　old　Governor。〃　　〃And　thou　didst　plead　so　bravely　in　her　behalf　and　mine！〃　answeredthe　mother。　〃I　remember　it；　and　so　shall　little　Pearl。　Fear　nothing！She　may　be　strange　and　shy　at　first；　but　will　soon　learn　to　lovethee！〃　　By　this　time　Pearl　had　reached　the　margin　of　the　brook；　and　stood　onthe　farther　side；　gazing　silently　at　Hester　and　the　clergyman；　whostill　sat　together　on　the　mossy　tree…trunk；　waiting　to　receive　her。Just　where　she　had　paused；　the　brook　chanced　to　form　a　pool；　so　smoothand　quiet　that　it　reflected　a　perfect　image　of　her　little　figure；　withall　the　brilliant　picturesqueness　of　her　beauty；　in　its　adornment　offlowers　and　wreathed　foliage；　but　more　refined　and　spiritualisedthan　the　reality。　This　image；　so　nearly　identical　with　the　livingPearl；　seemed　to　municate　somewhat　of　its　own　shadowy　andintangible　quality　to　the　child　herself。　It　was　strange；　the　way　inwhich　Pearl　stood；　looking　so　steadfastly　at　them　through　the　dimmedium　of　the　forest…gloom；　herself；　meanwhile；　all　glorified　with　aray　of　sunshine；　that　was　attracted　thitherward　as　by　a　certainsympathy。　In　the　brook　beneath　stood　another　child…　another　and　thesame…　with　likewise　its　ray　of　golden　light。　Hester　felt　herself；　insome　indistinct　and　tantalising　manner；　estranged　from　Pearl；　as　ifthe　child；　in　her　lonely；　ramble　through　the　forest；　had　strayed　outof　the　sphere　in　which　she　and　her　mother　dwelt　together；　and　wasnow　vainly　seeking　to　return　to　it。　　There　was　both　truth　and　error　in　the　impression；　the　child　andmother　were　estranged；　but　through　Hesters　fault；　not　Pearls。Since　the　latter　rambled　from　her　side；　another　inmate　had　beenadmitted　within　the　circle　of　the　mothers　feelings；　and　so　modifiedthe　aspect　of　them　all；　that　Pearl；　the　returning　wanderer；　couldnot　find　her　wonted　place；　and　hardly　knew　where　she　was。　　〃I　have　a　strange　fancy；〃　observed　the　sensitive　minister；　〃thatthis　brook　is　the　boundary　between　two　worlds；　and　that　thou　canstnever　meet　thy　Pearl　again。　Or　is　she　an　elfish　spirit；　who；　as　thelegends　of　our　childhood　taught　us；　is　forbidden　to　cross　a　runningstream？　Pray　hasten　her；　for　this　delay　has　already　imparted　atremor　to　my　nerves。〃　　〃e；　dearest　child！〃　said　Hester　encouragingly；　and　stretching　outboth　her　arms。　〃How　slow　thou　art！　When　hast　thou　been　so　sluggishbefore　now？　Here　is　a　friend　of　mine；　who　must　be　thy　friend　also。Thou　wilt　have　twice　as　much　love；　henceforward；　as　thy　mother　alonecould　give　thee！　Leap　across　the　brook；　and　e　to　us。　Thou　canstleap　like　a　young　deer！〃　　Pearl；　without　responding　in　any　manner　to　these　honey…sweetexpressions；　remained　on　the　other　side　of　the　brook。　Now　she　fixedher　bright；　wild　eyes　on　her　mother；　now　on　the　minister；　and　nowincluded　them　both　in　the　same　glance；　as　if　to　detect　and　explainto　herself　the　relation　which　they　bore　to　one　another。　For　someunaccountable　reason；　as　Arthur　Dimmesdale　felt　the　childs　eyesupon　himself；　his　hand…　with　that　gesture　so　habitual　as　to　havebee　involuntary…　stole　over　his　heart。　At　length；　assuming　asingular　air　of　authority；　Pearl　stretched　out　her　hand；　with　thesmall　forefinger　extended；　and　pointing　evidently　towards　her　mothersbreast。　And　beneath；　in　the　mirror　of　the　brook；　there　was　theflower…girdled　and　sunny　image　of　little　Pearl；　pointing　her　smallforefinger　too。　　〃Thou　strange　child；　why　dost　thou　not　e　to　me？〃　exclaimedHester。　　Pearl　still　pointed　with　her　forefinger；　and　a　frown　gathered　on　herbrow；　the　more　impressive　from　the　childish；　the　almost　baby…likeaspect　of　the　features　that　conveyed　it。　As　her　mother　still　keptbeckoning　to　her；　and　arraying　her　face　in　a　holiday　suit　ofunaccustomed　smiles；　the　child　stamped　her　foot　with　a　yet　moreimperious　look　and　gesture。　In　the　brook；　again；　was　the　fantasticbeauty　of　the　image；　with　its　reflected　frown；　its　pointed　finger；　andimperious　gesture；　giving　emphasis　to　the　aspect　of　little　Pearl。　　〃Hasten；　Pearl；　or　I　shall　be　angry　with　thee！〃　cried　Hester　Prynne；who；　however　inured　to　such　behaviour　on　the　elf…childs　part　at　otherseasons；　was　naturally　anxious　for　a　more　seemly　deportment　now。　〃Leapacross　the　brook；　naughty　child；　and　run　hither！　Else　I　must　e　tothee！〃　　But　Pearl；　not　a　whit　startled　at　her　mothers　threats；　any　morethan　mollified　by　her　entreaties；　now　suddenly　burst　into　a　fit　ofpassion；　gesticulating　violently；　and　throwing　her　small　figure　intothe　most　extravagant　contortions。　She　acpanied　this　wild　outbreakwith　piercing　shrieks；　which　the　woods　reverberated　on　all　sides；　sothat；　alone　as　she　was　in　her　childish　and　unreasonable　wrath；　itseemed　as　if　a　hidden　multitude　were　lending　her　their　sympathy　andencouragement。　Seen　in　the　brook；　once　more；　was　the　shadowy　wraith　ofPearls　image；　crowned　and　girdled　with　flowers；　but　stamping　itsfoot；　wildly　gesticulating；　and；　in　the　midst　of　all；　still　pointingits　small　forefinger　at　Hesters　bosom！　　〃I　see　what　ails　the　child；〃　whispered　Hester　to　the　clergyman；and　turning　pale　in　spite　of　a　strong　effort　to　conceal　her　troubleand　annoyance。　〃Children　will　not　abide　any；　the　slightest；　changein　the　accustomed　aspect　of　things　that　are　daily　before　their　eyes。Pearl　misses　something　which　she　has　always　seen　me　wear！〃　　〃I　pray　you；〃　answered　the　minister；　〃if　thou　hast　any　means　ofpacifying　the　child；　do　it　forthwith！　Save　it　were　the　cankeredwrath　of　an　old　witch；　like　Mistress　Hibbins；〃　added　he；　attempting　tosmile；　〃I　know　nothing　that　I　would　not　sooner　encounter　than　thispassion　in　a　child。　In　Pearls　young　beauty；　as　in　the　wrinkled　witch；it　has　a　preternatural　effect。　Pacify　her；　if　thou　lovest　me！〃　　Hester　turned　again　towards　Pearl；　with　a　crimson　blush　upon　hercheek；　a　conscious　glance　aside　at　the　clergyman；　and　then　a　heavysigh；　while；　even　before　she　had　time　to　speak；　the　blush　yielded　to　adeadly　pallor。　　〃Pearl；〃　said　she　sadly；　〃look　down　at　thy　feet！　There…　beforethee！…　the　hither　side　of　the　brook！〃　　The　child　turned　her　eyes　to　the　point　indicated；　and　there　laythe　scarlet　letter；　so　close　upon　the　margin　of　the　stream；　that　thegold　embroidery　was　reflected　in　it。　　〃Bring　it　hither！〃　said　Hester。　　〃e　thou　and　take　it　up！〃　answered　Pearl。　　〃Was　ever　such　a　child！〃　observed　Hester；　aside　to　the　minister。〃Oh；　I　have　much　to　tell　thee　about　her！　But；　in　very　truth；　she　isright　as　regards　this　hateful　token。　I　must　bear　its　torture　yet　alittle　longer…　only　a　few　days　longer…　until　we　shall　have　left　thisregion；　and　look　back　hither　as　to　a　land　which　we　have　dreamed　of。The　forest　cannot　hide　it！　The　mid…ocean　shall　take　it　from　my　hand；and　swallow　it　up　for　ever！〃　　With　these　words；　she　advanced　to　the　margin　of　the　brook；　took　upthe　scarlet　letter；　and　fastened　it　again　into　her　bosom。　Hopefully；but　a　moment　ago；　as　Hester　had　spoken　of　drowning　it　in　the　deep　sea；there　was　a　sense　of　inevitable　doom　upon　her；　as　she　thus　receivedback　this　deadly　symbol　from　the　hand　of　fate。　She　had　flung　it　intoinfinite　space！…　she　had　drawn　an　hours　free　breath！…　and　hereagain　was　the　scarlet　misery；　glittering　on　the　old　spot！　So　it　everis；　whether　thus　typified　or　no；　that　an　evil　deed　invests　itself　withthe　character　of　doom。　Hester　next　gathered　up　the　heavy　tresses　ofher　hair；　and　confined　them　beneath　her　cap。　As　if　there　were　awithering　spell　in　the　sad　letter；　her　beauty；　the　warmth　and　richnessof　her　womanhood；　departed；　like　fading　sunshine；　and　a　grey　shadowseemed　to　fall　across　her。　　When　the　dreary　change　was　wrought；　she　extended　her　hand　to　Pearl。　　〃Dost　thou　know　thy　mother　now；　child？〃　asked　she　reproachfully；　butwith　a　subdued　tone。　〃Wilt　thou　e　across　the　brook；　and　own　thymother；　now　that　she　has　her　shame　upon　her…　now　that　she　is　sad？〃　　〃Yes；　now　I　will！〃　answered　the　child；　bounding　across　the　brook；and　clasping　Hester　in　her　arms。　〃Now　thou　art　my　mother　indeed！　And　Iam　thy　little　Pearl！〃　　In　a　mood　of　tenderness　that　was　not　usual　with　her；　she　drew　downher　mothers　head；　and　kissed　her　brow　and　both　her　cheeks。　Butthen…　by　a　kind　of　necessity　that　always　impelled　this　child　toalloy　whatever　fort　she　might　chance　to　give　with　a　throb　ofanguish…　Pearl　put　up　her　mouth；　and　kissed　the　scarlet　letter　too！　　〃That　was　not　kind！〃　said　Hester。　〃When　thou　hast　shown　me　alittle　love；　thou　mockest　me！〃　　〃Why　doth　the　minister　sit　yonder？〃　asked　Pearl。　　〃He　waits　to　wele　thee；〃　replied　her　mother。　〃e　thou；　andentreat　his　blessing！　He　loves　thee；　my　little　Pearl；　and　loves　thymother　too。　Wilt　thou　not　love　him？　e！　he　longs　to　greet　thee！〃　　〃Doth　he　love　us？〃　said　Pearl；　looking　up；　with　acuteintelligence；　into　her　mothers　face。　〃Will　he　go　back　with　us；　handin　hand；　we　three　together　into　the　town？〃　　〃Not　now；　dear　child；〃　answered　Hester。　〃But　in　days　to　e　he　willwalk　hand　in　hand　with　us。　We　will　have　a　home　and　fireside　of　ourown；　and　thou　shalt　sit　upon　his　knee；　and　he　will　teach　thee　manythings；　and　love　thee　dearly。　Thou　wilt　love　him；　wilt　thou　not？〃　　〃And　will　he　always　keep　his　hand　over　his　heart？〃　inquired　Pearl。　　〃Foolish　child；　what　a　question　is　that！〃　exclaimed　her　mother。〃e　and　ask　his　blessing！〃　　But；　whether　influenced　by　the　jealousy　that　seems　instinctivewith　every　petted　child　towards　a　dangerous　rival；　or　from　whatevercaprice　of　her　freakish　nature；　Pearl　would　show　no　favour　to　theclergyman。　It　was　only　by　an　exertion　of　force　that　her　mother　broughther　up　to　him；　hanging　back；　and　manifesting　her　reluctance　by　oddgrimaces；　of　which；　ever　since　her　babyhood；　she　had　possessed　asingular　variety；　and　could　transform　her　mobile　physiognomy　into　aseries　of　different　aspects；　with　a　new　mischief　in　them；　each　andall。　The　minister…　painfully　embarrassed；　but　hoping　that　a　kiss　mightprove　a　talisman　to　admit　him　into　the　childs　kindlier　regards…bent　forward；　and　impressed　one　on　her　brow。　Hereupon；　Pearl　brokeaway　from　her　mother；　and；　running　to　the　brook；　stooped　over　it；and　bathed　her　forehead；　until　the　unwele　kiss　was　quite　washedoff；　and　diffused　through　a　long　lapse　of　the　gliding　water。　Shethen　remained　apart；　silently　watching　Hester　and　the　clergyman：　whilethey　talked　together；　and　made　such　arrangements　as　were　suggestedby　their　new　position；　and　the　purposes　soon　to　be　fulfilled。　　And　now　this　fateful　interview　had　e　to　a　close。　The　dell　wasto　be　left　a　solitude　among　its　dark；　old　trees；　which；　with　theirmultitudinous　tongues；　would　whisper　long　of　what　had　passed　there；and　no　mortal　be　the　wiser。　And　the　melancholy　brook　w

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