_Exit._

_Wilson._ That woman would have been a noble wife
Had not some villain robbed her of her dower.

_Governor._ Come, gentlemen, this business well is ended,
And, Dimsdell, yours is all the credit of it;
For one I thank you.

_Roger._ We all do thank you, sir.

_Governor._ Come, let us drain a cup of wine; and then
Go in.

_Dimsdell._ I beg you to excuse me.

_Roger._ And me,
I pray. I'll stay with Dimsdell.

_Governor._ Well, Wilson, you
Shall not escape me. Gentlemen, the wine
We leave you; keep it company.--And, Dimsdell,
Forget it not, to-morrow thou must preach
A grand election sermon. The people do
Expect a master effort, man. Fail not. [_Exeunt Governor and Wilson._

_Roger._ He will not fail them, Governor; a tongue
Of flame is his. What ails thee, Dimsdell?
How now? Why man!

_Dimsdell._ I'm very weak. The pain about my heart--

_Roger._ Nay, courage, man! 'Twill leave thee soon. I'll get a cup of
wine to cheer thee up.

_Dimsdell._ Do, I pray. And, Doctor, give me something to abate this
agony.

_Roger._ I will. [_Exit._

_Dimsdell._ Try how I may, there's no escape from pain.
I robbed the law's strong arm, and thereby put
The lash in conscience' hand--and yet I thought
Hypocrisy a duty to my calling!
'Twere better I were known as what I am,
Than still to hide my sin beneath the garb
Of outward purity! 'Twere better now,
By Hester's side, to bear opprobrium,
And brave what man may do, than still to nurse
This misery in secret!

_Re-enter ROGER with wine-tray; places it upon a bench and, taking a
vial from a pocket medicine-case, pours a few drops into a
wine-glass, then fills the glass with wine._

_Roger._ A minim more would lull him into sleep.
Here is the chance--and here the will--to learn
His secret malady. What holds me back?
Conscience? Tut, tut! It will not harm him!
'Twill do him good to sleep; 'twill do me good
To know the why he clutches at his breast.
I'll do it. [_Pours more from vial._
Sir, drink this off.

_Dimsdell._ I thank thee, kind physician. [_Drinks._

_Roger._ Nay, thank me not. Now, take a glass of wine.
[_Giving him another glass._

_Dimsdell._ Methinks, the wine is richer than is common.

_Roger._ Thir