The Scarlet Letter

Hester had often fancied that providence had a design of justice and retribution in endowing the child with this marked propensity. But never until now had she bethought herself to ask whether, linked with that design, there might not likewise be a purpose of mercy. If little pearl were entertained with faith and trust, as a spirit messenger no less than an earthly child, might it not be her errand to soothe away the sorrow that lay cold in her mother's heart and converted it into a tomb? Such were some of the thoughts that now stirred in hester's mind with as much vivacity of impression as if they had actually been whispered into her ear.