牢门从里面给一下子打开了,最先露面的是狱吏,他腰侧挎着剑,手中握着权杖,那副阴森可怖的模样象个暗影似的出现在日光之中。这个角色的尊容便是清教徒法典全部冷酷无情的象征和代表,对触犯法律购人最终和最直接执法则是他的差事。此时他伸出左手举着权杖,右手抓着一个年轻妇女的肩头,挽着她向前走;到了牢门口,她用了一个颇能说明她个性的力量和天生的尊严的动作,推开狱吏,象是出于她自主的意志一般走进露天地。她怀里抱着一个三个月左右的婴儿,那孩子眨着眼睛,转动她的小脸躲避着过分耀眼的阳光——自从她降生以来,还只习惯于监狱中的土牢或其它暗室那种昏晦的光线呢。
When the young woman- the mother of this child- stood fully revealed before the crowd, it seemed to be her first impulseto claspthe infant closely to her bosom; not so much by an impulse of motherly affection, as that she might thereby conceal a certain token, which was wroughtor fastened into her dress. In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbours. On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborateembroideryand fantastic flourishesof gold thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artisticallydone, and with so much fertilityand gorgeousluxurianceof fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendourin accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuaryregulations of the colony.
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