The Great Enemy of Souls, Mister Dimmsdale

The reverend mister dimesdale encountered the eldest female member of his church, a most pious and exemplary old dame. He could hardly avoid laugh to imagine how the sanctified, old, patriarchal deacon would have been petrified by his minister's impiety. The instilment thereof into her mind would probably have caused this aged sister to drop down dead at once. What he really did whisper, the minister could never afterwards recollect. There was perhaps a fortunate disorder in his utterance which failed to impart any distinct idea to the good widow's comprehension. Assuredly, as the minister looked back, he beheld an expression of divine gratitude and ecstasy that seemed like the