Today was a holiday in town. It was time for the new governor to be selected. This was the first time that the whole town has gathered since my public ridicule. Dimmesdale and my plans to go to Europe have been slightly ruined since Chillingworth is now joining us on the passage. It did not help my mood much that Chillingworth was smirking at me across the marketplace. I always wondered how Chillingworth even knew that we were going aboard the ship to Europe.

Before I could even think about what Chillingworth accompanying us on the ship would mean the procession began. The music was loud and people were filled with happiness and excitement. I spotted Dimmesdale through the crowd a since of dreariness came over me. I could not believe that this was the same man that I had known all those years ago. Again, my thoughts were interrupted as Mistress Hibbins came over to Pearl and me. She began to say that the “mark” of the minister will be revealed like mine was all those years ago will be revealed. It never occurred to me at the time that what she was saying would actually be true. Once the Mistress left I began to listen to the sermon that Dimmesdale was giving. Another development happened because Pearl gave me a message from Chillingworth that he will make arrangements to bring Dimmesdale on board the ship. I thought to myself, when will Chillingworth ever give up making our lives so horrible?!?

The sermon had ended and we were all heading to the town hall when something that I never thought would happen did, Dimmesdale pulls Pearl and me onto the scaffold with him. I could not believe this was he really going to reveal the truth?  “With a convulsive motion, he tore away the ministerial band from before his breast.  It was revealed!”(page 200) Dimmesdale finally revealed the whole truth before the town! My little Pearl finally knew who her father was and she accepted him with a kiss. But in the instance of all the truth coming out my Dimmesdale died. After his death I was completely heart broken. I searched the internet for a website that would help me cope with his death and move forward: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/emotional_health/coping_with_death_and_grief.aspx

After the death of Dimmesdale many people of the town could not believe it. About a year or so Chillingworth also died. My little Pearl and I left town for many years.  But I came back and resumed my charity work for the town and I still lived in my cottage alone. My Scarlet letter remained on my breast until my dying day.

Image source: http://weldingapa.teacherblogit.com/chychy/

Pearl, Dimmesdale, and me standing on the scaffold before he died.