課堂用中英對(duì)照 牧師的黑面紗

課堂用中英對(duì)照牧師的黑面紗課堂用中英對(duì)照牧師的黑面紗課堂用中英對(duì)照牧師的黑面紗xxx公司課堂用中英對(duì)照牧師的黑面紗文件編號(hào)：文件日期：修訂次數(shù)：第1.0次更改批準(zhǔn)審核制定方案設(shè)計(jì)，管理制度TheMinister'sBlackVeilAnotherclergymaninNewEngland,Mr.JosephMoody,ofAnotherclergymaninNewEngland,Mr.JosephMoody,ofYork,Maine,whodiedabouteightyyearssince,madehimselfremarkablebythesameeccentricitythatishererelatedoftheReverendMr.Hooper.Inhiscase,however,thesymbolhadadifferentimport.Inearlylifehehadaccidentallykilledabelovedfriend;andfromthatdaytillthehourofhisowndeath,heAParable

THESEXTONstoodintheporchofMilfordmeeting-house,pullingbusilyatthebell-rope.Theoldpeopleofthevillagecamestoopingalongthestreet.Children,withbrightfaces,trippedmerrilybesidetheirparents,ormimickedagravergait,intheconsciousdignityoftheirSundayclothes.Sprucebachelorslookedsidelongattheprettymaidens,andfanciedthattheSabbathsunshinemadethemprettierthanonweekdays.Whenthethronghadmostlystreamedintotheporch,thesextonbegantotollthebell,keepinghiseyeontheReverendMr.Hooper'sdoor.Thefirstglimpseoftheclergyman'sfigurewasthesignalforthebelltoceaseitssummons."ButwhathasgoodParsonHoopergotuponhisface"criedthesextoninastonishment.Allwithinhearingimmediatelyturnedabout,andbeheldthesemblanceofMr.Hooper,pacingslowlyhismeditativewaytowardsthemeeting-house.Withoneaccordtheystarted,expressingmorewonderthanifsomestrangeministerwerecomingtodustthecushionsofMr.Hooper'spulpit."Areyousureitisourparson"inquiredGoodmanGrayofthesexton."OfacertaintyitisgoodMr.Hooper,"repliedthesexton."HewastohaveexchangedpulpitswithParsonShute,ofWestbury;butParsonShutesenttoexcusehimselfyesterday,beingtopreachafuneralsermon."Thecauseofsomuchamazementmayappearsufficientlyslight.Mr.Hooper,agentlemanlyperson,ofaboutthirty,thoughstillabachelor,wasdressedwithdueclericalneatness,asifacarefulwifehadstarchedhisband,andbrushedtheweeklydustfromhisSunday'sgarb.Therewasbutonethingremarkableinhisappearance.Swathedabouthisforehead,andhangingdownoverhisface,solowastobeshakenbyhisbreath,Mr.Hooperhadonablackveil.Onanearerviewitseemedtoconsistoftwofoldsofcrape,whichentirelyconcealedhisfeatures,exceptthemouthandchin,butprobablydidnotintercepthissight,furtherthantogiveadarkenedaspecttoalllivingandinanimatethings.Withthisgloomyshadebeforehim,goodMr.Hooperwalkedonward,ataslowandquietpace,stoopingsomewhat,andlookingontheground,asiscustomarywithabstractedmen,yetnoddingkindlytothoseofhisparishionerswhostillwaitedonthemeeting-housesteps.Butsowonder-struckweretheythathisgreetinghardlymetwithareturn."Ican'treallyfeelasifgoodMr.Hooper'sfacewasbehindthatpieceofcrape,"saidthesexton."Idon'tlikeit,"mutteredanoldwoman,asshehobbledintothemeeting-house."Hehaschangedhimselfintosomethingawful,onlybyhidinghisface.""Ourparsonhasgonemad!"criedGoodmanGray,followinghimacrossthethreshold.ArumorofsomeunaccountablephenomenonhadprecededMr.Hooperintothemeeting-house,andsetallthecongregationastir.Fewcouldrefrainfromtwistingtheirheadstowardsthedoor;manystoodupright,andturneddirectlyabout;whileseverallittleboysclamberedupontheseats,andcamedownagainwithaterribleracket.Therewasageneralbustle,arustlingofthewomen'sgownsandshufflingofthemen'sfeet,greatlyatvariancewiththathushedreposewhichshouldattendtheentranceoftheminister.ButMr.Hooperappearednottonoticetheperturbationofhispeople.Heenteredwithanalmostnoiselessstep,benthisheadmildlytothepewsoneachside,andbowedashepassedhisoldestparishioner,awhite-hairedgreat-grandsire,whooccupiedanarm-chairinthecentreoftheaisle.Itwasstrangetoobservehowslowlythisvenerablemanbecameconsciousofsomethingsingularintheappearanceofhispastor.Heseemednotfullytopartakeoftheprevailingwonder,tillMr.Hooperhadascendedthestairs,andshowedhimselfinthepulpit,facetofacewithhiscongregation,exceptfortheblackveil.Thatmysteriousemblemwasneveroncewithdrawn.Itshookwithhismeasuredbreath,ashegaveoutthepsalm;itthrewitsobscuritybetweenhimandtheholypage,ashereadtheScriptures;andwhileheprayed,theveillayheavilyonhisupliftedcountenance.DidheseektohideitfromthedreadBeingwhomhewasaddressingSuchwastheeffectofthissimplepieceofcrape,thatmorethanonewomanofdelicatenerveswasforcedtoleavethemeeting-house.Yetperhapsthepale-facedcongregationwasalmostasfearfulasighttotheminister,ashisblackveiltothem.Mr.Hooperhadthereputationofagoodpreacher,butnotanenergeticone:hestrovetowinhispeopleheavenwardbymild,persuasiveinfluences,ratherthantodrivethemthitherbythethundersoftheWord.Thesermonwhichhenowdeliveredwasmarkedbythesamecharacteristicsofstyleandmannerasthegeneralseriesofhispulpitoratory.Buttherewassomething,eitherinthesentimentofthediscourseitself,orintheimaginationoftheauditors,whichmadeitgreatlythemostpowerfuleffortthattheyhadeverheardfromtheirpastor'slips.Itwastinged,rathermoredarklythanusual,withthegentlegloomofMr.Hooper'stemperament.Thesubjecthadreferencetosecretsin,andthosesadmysterieswhichwehidefromournearestanddearest,andwouldfainconcealfromourownconsciousness,evenforgettingthattheOmniscientcandetectthem.Asubtlepowerwasbreathedintohiswords.Eachmemberofthecongregation,themostinnocentgirl,andthemanofhardenedbreast,feltasifthepreacherhadcreptuponthem,behindhisawfulveil,anddiscoveredtheirhoardediniquityofdeedorthought.Manyspreadtheirclaspedhandsontheirbosoms.TherewasnothingterribleinwhatMr.Hoopersaid,atleast,noviolence;andyet,witheverytremorofhismelancholyvoice,thehearersquaked.Anunsoughtpathoscamehandinhandwithawe.Sosensibleweretheaudienceofsomeunwontedattributeintheirminister,thattheylongedforabreathofwindtoblowasidetheveil,almostbelievingthatastranger'svisagewouldbediscovered,thoughtheform,gesture,andvoicewerethoseofMr.Hooper.Atthecloseoftheservices,thepeoplehurriedoutwithindecorousconfusion,eagertocommunicatetheirpent-upamazement,andconsciousoflighterspiritsthemomenttheylostsightoftheblackveil.Somegatheredinlittlecircles,huddledcloselytogether,withtheirmouthsallwhisperinginthecentre;somewenthomewardalone,wraptinsilentmeditation;sometalkedloudly,andprofanedtheSabbathdaywithostentatiouslaughter.Afewshooktheirsagaciousheads,intimatingthattheycouldpenetratethemystery;whileoneortwoaffirmedthattherewasnomysteryatall,butonlythatMr.Hooper'seyesweresoweakenedbythemidnightlamp,astorequireashade.Afterabriefinterval,forthcamegoodMr.Hooperalso,intherearofhisflock.Turninghisveiledfacefromonegrouptoanother,hepaidduereverencetothehoaryheads,salutedthemiddleagedwithkinddignityastheirfriendandspiritualguide,greetedtheyoungwithmingledauthorityandlove,andlaidhishandsonthelittlechildren'sheadstoblessthem.SuchwasalwayshiscustomontheSabbathday.Strangeandbewilderedlooksrepaidhimforhiscourtesy.None,asonformeroccasions,aspiredtothehonorofwalkingbytheirpastor'sside.OldSquireSaunders,doubtlessbyanaccidentallapseofmemory,neglectedtoinviteMr.Hoopertohistable,wherethegoodclergymanhadbeenwonttoblessthefood,almosteverySundaysincehissettlement.Hereturned,therefore,totheparsonage,and,atthemomentofclosingthedoor,wasobservedtolookbackuponthepeople,allofwhomhadtheireyesfixedupontheminister.Asadsmilegleamedfaintlyfrombeneaththeblackveil,andflickeredabouthismouth,glimmeringashedisappeared."Howstrange,"saidalady,"thatasimpleblackveil,suchasanywomanmightwearonherbonnet,shouldbecomesuchaterriblethingonMr.Hooper'sface!""SomethingmustsurelybeamisswithMr.Hooper'sintellects,"observedherhusband,thephysicianofthevillage."Butthestrangestpartoftheaffairistheeffectofthisvagary,evenonasober-mindedmanlikemyself.Theblackveil,thoughitcoversonlyourpastor'sface,throwsitsinfluenceoverhiswholeperson,andmakeshimghostlikefromheadtofoot.Doyounotfeelitso""TrulydoI,"repliedthelady;"andIwouldnotbealonewithhimfortheworld.Iwonderheisnotafraidtobealonewithhimself!""Mensometimesareso,"saidherhusband.Theafternoonservicewasattendedwithsimilarcircumstances.Atitsconclusion,thebelltolledforthefuneralofayounglady.Therelativesandfriendswereassembledinthehouse,andthemoredistantacquaintancesstoodaboutthedoor,speakingofthegoodqualitiesofthedeceased,whentheirtalkwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofMr.Hooper,stillcoveredwithhisblackveil.Itwasnowanappropriateemblem.Theclergymansteppedintotheroomwherethecorpsewaslaid,andbentoverthecoffin,totakealastfarewellofhisdeceasedparishioner.Ashestooped,theveilhungstraightdownfromhisforehead,sothat,ifhereyelidshadnotbeenclosedforever,thedeadmaidenmighthaveseenhisface.CouldMr.Hooperbefearfulofherglance,thathesohastilycaughtbacktheblackveilApersonwhowatchedtheinterviewbetweenthedeadandliving,scruplednottoaffirm,that,attheinstantwhentheclergyman'sfeaturesweredisclosed,thecorpsehadslightlyshuddered,rustlingtheshroudandmuslincap,thoughthecountenanceretainedthecomposureofdeath.Asuperstitiousoldwomanwastheonlywitnessofthisprodigy.FromthecoffinMr.Hooperpassedintothechamberofthemourners,andthencetotheheadofthestaircase,tomakethefuneralprayer.Itwasatenderandheart-dissolvingprayer,fullofsorrow,yetsoimbuedwithcelestialhopes,thatthemusicofaheavenlyharp,sweptbythefingersofthedead,seemedfaintlytobeheardamongthesaddestaccentsoftheminister.Thepeopletrembled,thoughtheybutdarklyunderstoodhimwhenheprayedthatthey,andhimself,andallofmortalrace,mightbeready,ashetrustedthisyoungmaidenhadbeen,forthedreadfulhourthatshouldsnatchtheveilfromtheirfaces.Thebearerswentheavilyforth,andthemournersfollowed,saddeningallthestreet,withthedeadbeforethem,andMr.Hooperinhisblackveilbehind."Whydoyoulookback"saidoneintheprocessiontohispartner.Ihadafancy,"repliedshe,"thattheministerandthemaiden'sspiritwerewalkinghandinhand.""AndsohadI,atthesamemoment,"saidtheother.Thatnight,thehandsomestcoupleinMilfordvillageweretobejoinedinwedlock.Thoughreckonedamelancholyman,Mr.Hooperhadaplacidcheerfulnessforsuchoccasions,whichoftenexcitedasympatheticsmilewhereliveliermerrimentwouldhavebeenthrownaway.Therewasnoqualityofhisdispositionwhichmadehimmorebelovedthanthis.Thecompanyattheweddingawaitedhisarrivalwithimpatience,trustingthatthestrangeawe,whichhadgatheredoverhimthroughouttheday,wouldnowbedispelled.Butsuchwasnottheresult.WhenMr.Hoopercame,thefirstthingthattheireyesrestedonwasthesamehorribleblackveil,whichhadaddeddeepergloomtothefuneral,andcouldportendnothingbuteviltothewedding.Suchwasitsimmediateeffectonthegueststhatacloudseemedtohaverolledduskilyfrombeneaththeblackcrape,anddimmedthelightofthecandles.Thebridalpairstoodupbeforetheminister.Butthebride'scoldfingersquiveredinthetremuloushandofthebridegroom,andherdeathlikepalenesscausedawhisperthatthemaidenwhohadbeenburiedafewhoursbeforewascomefromhergravetobemarried.Ifeveranotherweddingweresodismal,itwasthatfamousonewheretheytolledtheweddingknell.Afterperformingtheceremony,Mr.Hooperraisedaglassofwinetohislips,wishinghappinesstothenew-marriedcoupleinastrainofmildpleasantrythatoughttohavebrightenedthefeaturesoftheguests,likeacheerfulgleamfromthehearth.Atthatinstant,catchingaglimpseofhisfigureinthelooking-glass,theblackveilinvolvedhisownspiritinthehorrorwithwhichitoverwhelmedallothers.Hisframeshuddered,hislipsgrewwhite,hespilttheuntastedwineuponthecarpet,andrushedforthintothedarkness.FortheEarth,too,hadonherBlackVeil.Thenextday,thewholevillageofMilfordtalkedoflittleelsethanParsonHooper'sblackveil.That,andthemysteryconcealedbehindit,suppliedatopicfordiscussionbetweenacquaintancesmeetinginthestreet,andgoodwomengossipingattheiropenwindows.Itwasthefirstitemofnewsthatthetavern-keepertoldtohisguests.Thechildrenbabbledofitontheirwaytoschool.Oneimitativelittleimpcoveredhisfacewithanoldblackhandkerchief,therebysoaffrightinghisplaymatesthatthepanicseizedhimself,andhewell-nighlosthiswitsbyhisownwaggery.Itwasremarkablethatofallthebusybodiesandimpertinentpeopleintheparish,notoneventuredtoputtheplainquestiontoMr.Hooper,whereforehedidthisthing.Hitherto,wheneverthereappearedtheslightestcallforsuchinterference,hehadneverlackedadvisers,norshownhimselfadversetobeguidedbytheirjudgment.Ifheerredatall,itwasbysopainfuladegreeofself-distrust,thateventhemildestcensurewouldleadhimtoconsideranindifferentactionasacrime.Yet,thoughsowellacquaintedwiththisamiableweakness,noindividualamonghisparishionerschosetomaketheblackveilasubjectoffriendlyremonstrance.Therewasafeelingofdread,neitherplainlyconfessednorcarefullyconcealed,whichcausedeachtoshifttheresponsibilityuponanother,tillatlengthitwasfoundexpedienttosendadeputationofthechurch,inordertodealwithMr.Hooperaboutthemystery,beforeitshouldgrowintoascandal.Neverdidanembassysoilldischargeitsduties.Theministerreceivedthemwithfriendlycourtesy,butbecamesilent,aftertheywereseated,leavingtohisvisitorsthewholeburdenofintroducingtheirimportantbusiness.Thetopic,itmightbesupposed,wasobviousenough.TherewastheblackveilswathedroundMr.Hooper'sforehead,andconcealingeveryfeatureabovehisplacidmouth,onwhich,attimes,theycouldperceivetheglimmeringofamelancholysmile.Butthatpieceofcrape,totheirimagination,seemedtohangdownbeforehisheart,thesymbolofafearfulsecretbetweenhimandthem.Weretheveilbutcastaside,theymightspeakfreelyofit,butnottillthen.Thustheysataconsiderabletime,speechless,confused,andshrinkinguneasilyfromMr.Hooper'seye,whichtheyfelttobefixeduponthemwithaninvisibleglance.Finally,thedeputiesreturnedabashedtotheirconstituents,pronouncingthemattertooweightytobehandled,exceptbyacouncilofthechurches,if,indeed,itmightnotrequireageneralsynod.Buttherewasonepersoninthevillageunappalledbytheawewithwhichtheblackveilhadimpressedallbesideherself.Whenthedeputiesreturnedwithoutanexplanation,orevenventuringtodemandone,she,withthecalmenergyofhercharacter,determinedtochaseawaythestrangecloudthatappearedtobesettlingroundMr.Hooper,everymomentmoredarklythanbefore.Ashisplightedwife,itshouldbeherprivilegetoknowwhattheblackveilconcealed.Attheminister'sfirstvisit,therefore,sheentereduponthesubjectwithadirectsimplicity,whichmadethetaskeasierbothforhimandher.Afterhehadseatedhimself,shefixedhereyessteadfastlyupontheveil,butcoulddiscernnothingofthedreadfulgloomthathadsooverawedthemultitude:itwasbutadoublefoldofcrape,hangingdownfromhisforeheadtohismouth,andslightlystirringwithhisbreath."No,"saidshealoud,andsmiling,"thereisnothingterribleinthispieceofcrape,exceptthatithidesafacewhichIamalwaysgladtolookupon.Come,goodsir,letthesunshinefrombehindthecloud.Firstlayasideyourblackveil:thentellmewhyyouputiton."Mr.Hooper'ssmileglimmeredfaintly."Thereisanhourtocome,"saidhe,"whenallofusshallcastasideourveils.Takeitnotamiss,belovedfriend,ifIwearthispieceofcrapetillthen.""Yourwordsareamystery,too,"returnedtheyounglady."Takeawaytheveilfromthem,atleast.""Elizabeth,Iwill,"saidhe,"sofarasmyvowmaysufferme.Know,then,thisveilisatypeandasymbol,andIamboundtowearitever,bothinlightanddarkness,insolitudeandbeforethegazeofmultitudes,andaswithstrangers,sowithmyfamiliarfriends.Nomortaleyewillseeitwithdrawn.Thisdismalshademustseparatemefromtheworld:evenyou,Elizabeth,cannevercomebehindit!""Whatgrievousafflictionhathbefallenyou,"sheearnestlyinquired,"thatyoushouldthusdarkenyoureyesforever""Ifitbeasignofmourning,"repliedMr.Hooper,"I,perhaps,likemostothermortals,havesorrowsdarkenoughtobetypifiedbyablackveil.""Butwhatiftheworldwillnotbelievethatitisthetypeofaninnocentsorrow"urgedElizabeth."Belovedandrespectedasyouare,theremaybewhispersthatyouhideyourfaceundertheconsciousnessofsecretsin.Forthesakeofyourholyoffice,doawaythisscandal!"Thecolorroseintohercheeksassheintimatedthenatureoftherumorsthatwerealreadyabroadinthevillage.ButMr.Hooper'smildnessdidnotforsakehim.Heevensmiledagain--thatsamesadsmile,whichalwaysappearedlikeafaintglimmeringoflight,proceedingfromtheobscuritybeneaththeveil."IfIhidemyfaceforsorrow,thereiscauseenough,"hemerelyreplied;"andifIcoveritforsecretsin,whatmortalmightnotdothesame"Andwiththisgentle,butunconquerableobstinacydidheresistallherentreaties.AtlengthElizabethsatsilent.Forafewmomentssheappearedlostinthought,considering,probably,whatnewmethodsmightbetriedtowithdrawherloverfromsodarkafantasy,which,ifithadnoothermeaning,wasperhapsasymptomofmentaldisease.Thoughofafirmercharacterthanhisown,thetearsrolleddownhercheeks.But,inaninstant,asitwere,anewfeelingtooktheplaceofsorrow:hereyeswerefixedinsensiblyontheblackveil,when,likeasuddentwilightintheair,itsterrorsfellaroundher.Shearose,andstoodtremblingbeforehim."Anddoyoufeelitthen,atlast"saidhemournfully.Shemadenoreply,butcoveredhereyeswithherhand,andturnedtoleavetheroom.Herushedforwardandcaughtherarm."Havepatiencewithme,Elizabeth!"criedhe,passionately."Donotdesertme,thoughthisveilmustbebetweenushereonearth.Bemine,andhereafterthereshallbenoveilovermyface,nodarknessbetweenoursouls!Itisbutamortalveil--itisnotforeternity!O!youknownothowlonelyIam,andhowfrightened,tobealonebehindmyblackveil.Donotleavemeinthismiserableobscurityforever!""Lifttheveilbutonce,andlookmeintheface,"saidshe."Never!Itcannotbe!"repliedMr.Hooper."Thenfarewell!"saidElizabeth.Shewithdrewherarmfromhisgrasp,andslowlydeparted,pausingatthedoor,togiveonelongshudderinggaze,thatseemedalmosttopenetratethemysteryoftheblackveil.But,evenamidhisgrief,Mr.Hoopersmiledtothinkthatonlyamaterialemblemhadseparatedhimfromhappiness,thoughthehorrors,whichitshadowedforth,mustbedrawndarklybetweenthefondestoflovers.FromthattimenoattemptsweremadetoremoveMr.Hooper'sblackveil,or,byadirectappeal,todiscoverthesecretwhichitwassupposedtohide.Bypersonswhoclaimedasuperioritytopopularprejudice,itwasreckonedmerelyaneccentricwhim,suchasoftenmingleswiththesoberactionsofmenotherwiserational,andtingesthemallwithitsownsemblanceofinsanity.Butwiththemultitude,goodMr.Hooperwasirreparablyabugbear.Hecouldnotwalkthestreetwithanypeaceofmind,soconsciouswashethatthegentleandtimidwouldturnasidetoavoidhim,andthatotherswouldmakeitapointofhardihoodtothrowthemselvesinhisway.Theimpertinenceofthelatterclasscompelledhimtogiveuphiscustomarywalkatsunsettotheburialground;forwhenheleanedpensivelyoverthegate,therewouldalwaysbefacesbehindthegravestones,peepingathisblackveil.Afablewenttheroundsthatthestareofthedeadpeopledrovehimthence.Itgrievedhim,totheverydepthofhiskindheart,toobservehowthechildrenfledfromhisapproach,breakinguptheirmerriestsports,whilehismelancholyfigurewasyetafaroff.Theirinstinctivedreadcausedhimtofeelmorestronglythanaughtelse,thatapreternaturalhorrorwasinterwovenwiththethreadsoftheblackcrape.Intruth,hisownantipathytotheveilwasknowntobesogreat,thatheneverwillinglypassedbeforeamirror,norstoopedtodrinkatastillfountain,lest,initspeacefulbosom,heshouldbeaffrightedbyhimself.Thiswaswhatgaveplausibilitytothewhispers,thatMr.Hooper'sconsciencetorturedhimforsomegreatcrimetoohorribletobeentirelyconcealed,orotherwisethansoobscurelyintimated.Thus,frombeneaththeblackveil,thererolledacloudintothesunshine,anambiguityofsinorsorrow,whichenvelopedthepoorminister,sothatloveorsympathycouldneverreachhim.Itwassaidthatghostandfiendconsortedwithhimthere.Withself-shudderingsandoutwardterrors,hewalkedcontinuallyinitsshadow,gropingdarklywithinhisownsoul,orgazingthroughamediumthatsaddenedthewholeworld.Eventhelawlesswind,itwasbelieved,respectedhisdreadfulsecret,andneverblewasidetheveil.ButstillgoodMr.Hoopersadlysmiledatthepalevisagesoftheworldlythrongashepassedby.Amongallitsbadinfluences,theblackveilhadtheonedesirableeffect,ofmakingitsweareraveryefficientclergyman.Bytheaidofhismysteriousemblem--fortherewasnootherapparentcause--hebecameamanofawfulpoweroversoulsthatwereinagonyforsin.Hisconvertsalwaysregardedhimwithadreadpeculiartothemselves,affirming,thoughbutfiguratively,that,beforehebroughtthemtocelestiallight,theyhadbeenwithhimbehindtheblackveil.Itsgloom,indeed,enabledhimtosympathizewithalldarkaffections.DyingsinnerscriedaloudforMr.Hooper,andwouldnotyieldtheirbreathtillheappeared;thoughever,ashestoopedtowhisperconsolation,theyshudderedattheveiledfacesoneartheirown.Suchweretheterrorsoftheblackveil,evenwhenDeathhadbaredhisvisage!Strangerscamelongdistancestoattendserviceathischurch,withthemereidlepurposeofgazingathisfigure,becauseitwasforbiddenthemtobeholdhisface.Butmanyweremadetoquakeeretheydeparted!Once,duringGovernorBelcher'sadministration,Mr.Hooperwasappointedtopreachtheelectionsermon.Coveredwithhisblackveil,hestoodbeforethechiefmagistrate,thecouncil,andtherepresentatives,andwroughtsodeepanimpressionthatthelegislativemeasuresofthatyearwerecharacterizedbyallthegloomandpietyofourearliestancestralsway.InthismannerMr.Hooperspentalonglife,irreproachableinoutwardact,yetshroudedindismalsuspicions;kindandloving,thoughunloved,anddimlyfeared;amanapartfrommen,shunnedintheirhealthandjoy,buteversummonedtotheiraidinmortalanguish.Asyearsworeon,sheddingtheirsnowsabovehissableveil,heacquiredanamethroughouttheNewEnglandchurches,andtheycalledhimFatherHooper.Nearlyallhisparishioners,whowereofmatureagewhenhewassettled,hadbeenborneawaybymanyafuneral:hehadonecongregationinthechurch,andamorecrowdedoneinthechurchyard;andhavingwroughtsolateintotheevening,anddonehisworksowell,itwasnowgoodFatherHooper'sturntorest.Severalpersonswerevisiblebytheshadedcandle-light,inthedeathchamberoftheoldclergyman.Naturalconnectionshehadnone.Buttherewasthedecorouslygrave,thoughunmovedphysician,seekingonlytomitigatethelastpangsofthepatientwhomhecouldnotsave.Therewerethedeacons,andothereminentlypiousmembersofhischurch.There,also,wastheReverendMr.Clark,ofWestbury,ayoungandzealousdivine,whohadriddeninhastetopraybythebedsideoftheexpiringminister.Therewasthenurse,nohiredhandmaidenofdeath,butonewhosecalmaffectionhadenduredthuslonginsecrecy,insolitude,amidthechillofage,andwouldnotperish,evenatthedyinghour.Who,butElizabeth!AndtherelaythehoaryheadofgoodFatherHooperuponthedeathpillow,withtheblackveilstillswathedabouthisbrow,andreachingdownoverhisface,sothateachmoredifficultgaspofhisfaintbreathcausedittostir.Allthroughlifethatpieceofcrapehadhungbetweenhimandtheworld:ithadseparatedhimfromcheerfulbrotherhoodandwoman'slove,andkepthiminthatsaddestofallprisons,hisownheart;andstillitlayuponhisface,asiftodeepenthegloomofhisdarksomechamber,andshadehimfromthesunshineofeternity.Forsometimeprevious,hismindhadbeenconfused,waveringdoubtfullybetweenthepastandthepresent,andhoveringforward,asitwere,atintervals,intotheindistinctnessoftheworldtocome.Therehadbeenfeverishturns,whichtossedhimfromsidetoside,andworeawaywhatlittlestrengthhehad.Butinhismostconvulsivestruggles,andinthewildestvagariesofhisintellect,whennootherthoughtretaineditssoberinfluence,hestillshowedanawfulsolicitudelesttheblackveilshouldslipaside.Evenifhisbewilderedsoulcouldhaveforgotten,therewasafaithfulwomanathispillow,who,withavertedeyes,wouldhavecoveredthatagedface,whichshehadlastbeheldinthecomelinessofmanhood.Atlengththedeath-strickenoldmanlayquietlyinthetorporofmentalandbodilyexhaustion,withanimperceptiblepulse,andbreaththatgrewfainterandfainter,exceptwhenalong,deep,andirregularinspirationseemedtopreludethef