Hester, Prynne, and the Countess of Lingham

Hester prynne stood on her pedestal still with a fixed gaze towards the stranger. It was better to stand thus with so many betwixt him and her, than to greet him face to face. She seemed conscious indeed that whatever sympathy she might expect lay in the larger and warmer heart of the multitude. A voice behind her repeated her name more than once in a loud and solemn tone,. audible to the whole multitude. Hearken unto me, hester prynn, said the voice.