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meeting in the street； and good women gossiping at their open
windows。 It was the first item of news that the tavern…keeper
told to his guests。 The children babbled of it on their way to
school。 One imitative little imp covered his face with an old
black handkerchief； thereby so affrighting his playmates that the
panic seized himself； and he well…nigh lost his wits by his own
waggery。
It was remarkable that all of the busybodies and impertinent
people in the parish； not one ventured to put the plain question
to Mr。 Hooper； wherefore he did this thing。 Hitherto； whenever
there appeared the slightest call for such interference； he had
never lacked advisers； nor shown himself averse to be guided by
their judgment。 If he erred at all； it was by so painful a degree
of self…distrust； that even the mildest censure would lead him to
consider an indifferent action as a crime。 Yet； though so well
acquainted with this amiable weakness； no individual among his
parishioners chose to make the black veil a subject of friendly
remonstrance。 There was a feeling of dread； neither plainly
confessed nor carefully concealed； which caused each to shift the
responsibility upon another； till at length it was found
expedient to send a deputation of the church； in order to deal
with Mr。 Hooper about the mystery； before it should grow into a
scandal。 Never did an embassy so ill discharge its duties。 The
minister received then with friendly courtesy； but became silent；
after they were seated； leaving to his visitors the whole burden
of introducing their important business。 The topic； it might be
supposed； was obvious enough。 There was the black veil swathed
round Mr。 Hooper's forehead； and concealing every feature above
his placid mouth； on which； at times； they could perceive the
glimmering of a melancholy smile。 But that piece of crape； to
their imagination； seemed to hang down before his heart； the
symbol of a fearful secret between him and them。 Were the veil
but cast aside； they might speak freely of it； but not till then。
Thus they sat a considerable time； speechless； confused； and
shrinking uneasily from Mr。 Hooper's eye； which they felt to be
fixed upon them with an invisible glance。 Finally； the deputies
returned abashed to their constituents； pronouncing the matter
too weighty to be handled； except by a council of the churches；
if； indeed； it might not require a general synod。
But there was one person in the village unappalled by the awe
with which the black veil had impressed all beside herself。 When
the deputies returned without an explanation； or even venturing
to demand one； she； with the calm energy of her character；
determined to chase away the strange cloud that appeared to be
settling round Mr。 Hooper； every moment more darkly than before。
As his plighted wife； it should be her privilege to know what the
black veil concealed。 At the minister's first visit； therefore；
she entered upon the subject with a direct simplicity； which made
the task easier both for him and her。 After he had seated
himself； she fixed her eyes steadfastly upon the veil； but could
discern nothing of the dreadful gloom that had so overawed the
multitude： it was but a double fold of crape； hanging down from
his forehead to his mouth； and slightly stirring with his breath。
〃No；〃 said she aloud； and smiling； 〃there is nothing terrible in
this piece of crape； except that it hides a face which I am
always glad to look upon。 Come； good sir； let the sun shine from
behind the cloud。 First lay aside your black veil： then tell me
why you put it on。〃
Mr。 Hooper's smile glimmered faintly。
〃There is an hour to come；〃 said he； 〃when all of us shall cast
aside our veils。 Take it not amiss； beloved friend； if I wear
this piece of crape till then。〃
〃Your words are a mystery； too；〃 returned the young lady。 〃Take
away the veil from them； at least。〃
〃Elizabeth； I will；〃 said he； 〃so far as my vow may suffer me。
Know； then； this veil is a type and a symbol； and I am bound to
wear it ever； both in light and darkness； in solitude and before
the gaze of multitudes； and as with strangers； so with my
familiar friends。 No mortal eye will see it withdrawn。 This
dismal shade must separate me from the world： even you；
Elizabeth； can never come behind it！〃
〃What grievous affliction hath befallen you；〃 she earnestly
inquired； 〃that you should thus darken your eyes forever？〃
〃If it be a sign of mourning；〃 replied Mr。 Hooper； 〃I； perhaps；
like most other mortals； have sorrows dark enough to be typified
by a black veil。〃
〃But what if the world will not believe that it is the type of an
innocent sorrow？〃 urged Elizabeth。 〃Beloved and respected as you
are； there may be whispers that you hide your face under the
consciousness of secret sin。 For the sake of your holy office； do
away this scandal！〃
The color rose into her cheeks as she intimated the nature of the
rumors that were already abroad in the village。 But Mr。 Hooper's
mildness did not forsake him。 He even smiled againthat same sad
smile； which always appeared like a faint glimmering of light；
proceeding from the obscurity beneath the veil。
〃If I hide my face for sorrow； there is cause enough；〃 he merely
replied； 〃and if I cover it for secret sin； what mortal might not
do the same？〃
And with this gentle； but unconquerable obstinacy did he resist
all her entreaties。 At length Elizabeth sat silent。 For a few
moments she appeared lost in thought； considering； probably； what
new methods might be tried to withdraw her lover from so dark a
fantasy； which； if it had no other meaning； was perhaps a symptom
of mental disease。 Though of a firmer character than his own； the
tears rolled down her cheeks。 But； in an instant； as it were； a
new feeling took the place of sorrow： her eyes were fixed
insensibly on the black veil； when； like a sudden twilight in the
air； its terrors fell around her。 She arose； and stood trembling
before him。
〃And do you feel it then； at last？〃 said he mournfully。
She made no reply； but covered her eyes with her hand； and turned
to leave the room。 He rushed forward and caught her arm。
〃Have patience with me； Elizabeth！〃 cried he； passionately。 〃Do
not desert me； though this veil must be between us here on earth。
Be mine； and hereafter there shall be no veil over my face； no
darkness between our souls！ It is but a mortal veilit is not
for eternity！ O！ you know not how lonely I am； and how
frightened； to be alone behind my black veil。 Do not leave me in
this miserable obscurity forever！〃
〃Lift the veil but once； and look me in the face；〃 said she。
〃Never！ It cannot be！〃 replied Mr。 Hooper。
〃Then farewell！〃 said Elizabeth。
She withdrew her arm from his grasp； and slowly departed； pausing
at the door； to give one long shuddering gaze； that seemed almost
to penetrate the mystery of the b