To Sin

To Sin: Chapter 2

Dimmesdale sat silently upon his pew. All had left the chapel, whether truthful or hypocrite, whether angel of demon.

How could he, a minister of the Lord see a woman in that way? To do so was a sin by all standards. He would burn along side with Cleopatra.

At that moment a ray of light fell upon Arthur Dimmesdale. The church doors had been opened, leaving a silhouette in the entranceway. It' features were blocked by the light that had penetrated the building's inner darkness.

"Are thee an angel that has come to smite me for my sins against the Lord?" The minister called out. Surely He had come to make an example of him.

The figure shook its head, long tresses of hair swaying behind it.

The minister recognized that only one woman had such fine hair, the envy it caused was infamous, and the person who it belonged was the cause of his grief.

"Hester Prynne?" He questioned, his voice shaky and uneven.

"It is she," retorted the woman. A concerned expression had overtaken her countenance, however Dimmesdale could not deny her beauty non-the less.

"Why do thee say such words about thyself? You are the most moral man by far in this town."

Oh the ironic words she speaks, for I carry more sin than she.

The young minister struggled for words.

"All men sin, it is within our nature," he blurted, looking to the floor below him. He could not stand to look her in the eyes, not because of their brilliance but because she may see into his soul.

My unclean soul...

"Woman sins as well. And I wish to tell thee of mine, so the Lord will give me forgiveness," Hester explained. With sylvan grace she sat herself in front of the minister.

A bead of perspiration slipped down from Dimmesdale's temple. He could feel a heat rising inside him, dizzying his senses.

Is this a sign of the flames that I shall feel against my skin in the depth of Hell? Is this the feeling Lucifer had when he fell from the service of God?

"I have fallen for another man when I do not know the fate of my husband," Hester stuttered, her voice breaking into a sob.

Shock filled Dimmesdale's mind. What torment was this. Was he fated to be a hypocrite, telling a woman with the same sin, the cause of his sin that it was fine and that she should be released but he should burn?

"Will the Lord forgive me for speaking to thee?" Hester inquired, placing her hand on Dimmesdale's lap.

The heat continued to pulse within, emanating from where Hester's hand was lain upon him, blood rushing to the midpoint of his hips.

"You shall be forgiven," he whispered, pulling her close to him.

At that moment the future was changed. Fate would be a pearl, and they would be clams.