Hester Prynne

"Thou and I are not of the world; let us therefore leave the matter as it then stood."

"What we did had a consecration of its own."

"I am not, nor have ever been, otherwise than what you see me."

"Thou hast just pleaded passionately for thy child; canst thou not do the same for the father of thy child?"

"Hadst thou sought vengeance, it had not been thus."

"My child, the God who hath led me hither will show me light and guidance."

"I have left thee to the scarlet letter. If that have not avenged me, I can do no more."

"Thou art not evil!—yet I had deemed thee other than this."

"Be careful, for he watches thee, as he watches all."

"Why does he keep his hand upon his heart?"

"I will not speak, and my child shall not speak, unless thou givest consent."

"God keep you from the traffic of a fiend."

"Keep, therefore, the secret, as thou keepest thy religion."

"Better to starve with man by thy side than to fatten thyself alone!"

"My poor, mutilated bough! Thou hast had all the sunshine thou couldst bear."

"Shall we not spend our lives together, and die together, and have our immortal souls joined?"

"I am a coward in letting thee linger here so miserably!"

"Let the black flower blossom as it may!"

"Let the black flower blossom as it may!"

"What we did had a consecration of its own."

"God knows; and He is merciful!"

"Keep, therefore, the secret, cousin, as thou valuest thy life!"

"Better to die than to live!"

"Thy Heavenly Father sendeth it!"

"There is a Sympathy that will make me conscious of all thy trials."

"Is there not shame enough in this?"

"God punishes sin with only one hand—with a gentle hand."

"I would not take this shame upon me, if it be freely offered."

"There is another dreadfulness—I have a strange fancy that this scarlet letter gives me power."

"What we did had a consecration of its own."