The Scarlet Letter

To sum up the matter, it grew to be a widely diffused opinion

that the Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, like many other personages of

special sanctity, in all ages of the Christian world, was

haunted either by Satan himself or Satan's emissary, in the

guise of old Roger Chillingworth. This diabolical agent had the

Divine permission, for a season, to burrow into the clergyman's

intimacy, and plot against his soul. No sensible man, it was

confessed, could doubt on which side the victory would turn. The

people looked, with an unshaken hope, to see the minister come

forth out of the conflict transfigured with the glory which he

would unquestionably win. Meanwhile, nevertheless, it was sad to

think of the perchance mortal agony through which he must

struggle towards his triumph.

Alas! to judge from the gloom and terror in the depth of the

poor minister's eyes, the battle was a sore one, and the victory

anything but secure.