ding across the market place, smirking at her. The majestic procession then passes through the market place. Seeing the richness and power of Puritan tradition displayed with such pomp disheartens Hester. Hester and other onlookers notice that Dimmesdale looks very well in the procession. Dimmesdale's apparent strength, however, only makes him seem more remote from Hester and throws doubt on Hester's plans of escape. Mistress Hibbins, very elaborately dressed, comes to talk to Hester about the minister. Saying that she knows those who serve the Black Man, Mistress Hibbins hints that the minister's "mark" will soon be plainly visible like Hester's. Suggesting that the devil is Pearl's real father, Mistress Hibbins invites the child to go on a witch's ride with her some time. After Mistress Hibbins leaves, Hester takes her place at the foot of the scaffold to listen to Dimmesdale's sermon. Pearl, who was wandering around the market place, then returns to give her mother a message from the mariner: Chillingworth says he will take care of bringing Dimmesdale on board and Hester should only take care of herself and her child. While Hester is worrying about this new development, she realizes that everyone is staring at her: those who have been seven years familiar with her scarlet letter, those who have heard exaggerated stories about it, and those who are entirely unfamiliar with it.Chapter 23: The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter Conclusion Summary At the beginning of Chapter 23, Dimmesdale is preaching his Election Day sermon on the relation between God and the communities of mankind, "with a special reference to the New England which they [are] here planting in the wilderness." The crowd is moved by the sermon and proclaim to each other that it is his best, most inspired, and most truthful ever. As Dimmesdale walks in the procession to the town hall for the evening feast, he sees Hester and hesitates. Turning toward the scaffold, h...
