Hester Prynne looked into his face, but hesitated to speak.
Yet, uttering his long-restrained emotions so vehemently as he
did, his words here offered her the very point of circumstances
in which to interpose what she came to say. She conquered her
fears, and spoke:
"Such a friend as thou hast even now wished for," said she,
"with whom to weep over thy sin, thou hast in me, the partner of
it!" Again she hesitated, but brought out the words with an
effort.--"Thou hast long had such an enemy, and dwellest with
him, under the same roof!"
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The minister started to his feet, gasping for breath, and
clutching at his heart, as if he would have torn it out of his
bosom.
"Ha! What sayest thou?" cried he. "An enemy! And under mine
own roof! What mean you?"
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