The Governor’s Hall

           HesterPrynnewentonedaytothemansionofGovernorBellingham,withapairofgloveswhichshehadfringedandembroideredtohisorder,andwhichweretobewornonsomegreatoccasionofstate;for,thoughthechancesofapopularelectionhadcausedthisformerrulertodescendasteportwofromthehighestrank,hestillheldanhonourableandinfluentialplaceamongthecolonialmagistracy.

           Anotherandfarmoreimportantreasonthanthedeliveryofapairofembroideredgloves,impelledHester,atthistime,toseekaninterviewwithapersonageofsomuchpowerandactivityintheaffairsofthesettlement.Ithadreachedherearsthattherewasadesignonthepartofsomeoftheleadinginhabitants,cherishingthemorerigidorderofprinciplesinreligionandgovernment,todepriveherofherchild.OnthesuppositionthatPearl,asalreadyhinted,wasofdemonorigin,thesegoodpeoplenotunreasonablyarguedthataChristianinterestinthemother’ssoulrequiredthemtoremovesuchastumbling-blockfromherpath.Ifthechild,ontheotherhand,werereallycapableofmoralandreligiousgrowth,andpossessedtheelementsofultimatesalvation,then,surely,itwouldenjoyallthefairerprospectoftheseadvantagesbybeingtransferredtowiserandbetterguardianshipthanHesterPrynne’s.Amongthosewhopromotedthedesign,GovernorBellinghamwassaidtobeoneofthemostbusy.