is when the inaugural
procession arrives in the market place anddelivers his Election Sermon. Whilstwatches the
procession, , who is described in very sinister terms, comments to her about the appearance of
Arthur Dimmesdale. Note the reputation that Mistress Hibbins has, which perhaps helps explain
her words to Hester about Dimmesdale:
As this ancient lady
had the renown (which subsequently cost her no less a price than her life) of being a principal
actor in all the works of necromancy that were continually going forward, the crowd gave way
before her, and seemed to fear the touch of her garment, as if it carried the plague among its
gorgeous folds.
Her association with necromancy and
witchcraft thus explains her "confidential" words to Hester, when she says that Arthur
Dimmesdale appears as a saint on earth, but then talks about him going to the
"forest," clearly an allegation that he has been involved in witchcraft. She comments
that many parishioners have been to the forest with her:
Many a church member saw I, walking behind the music, that has danced in the
same measure with me, when Somebody was fiddler, and, it might be, an Indian powwow or a Lapland
wizard changing hands with us!
She tries to gain the
confidence of Hester, alleging that Hester too has been to the forest, but Hester rebuffs her
attempts at intimacy.
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