Hester, Here Is a Companion

There would be nothin human within the scope of view save this earthly saint. The vulgar, in those dreary old times, were always contributing a grotesque horror to what interested their imaginations. They averred that the symbol was not mere scarlet cloth tinged in an earthly dye pot, but red hot with infernal fire. And we must needs say, it seared hester's bosom so deeply that perhaps there is more truth in the rumour than our modern incredulity may be inclined to admit.