ndure his agony, as well as mine!". That she should feel guilt for causinghim pain when he was as much involved as she was proves how deeply shedoes love him. Hester would love to escape her punishment, but only if she can stillbe with Dimmesdale. While conversing with Dimmesdale alone in the forest where no one can overhear, she brings up the idea of fleeing withhim, and living a life full of love with him in another land. She says "Sobrief a journey would bring thee from a world where thou hast been mostwretched, to one where thou mayest still be happy." The world she istalking about here is a world deeper along the forest trail where they can freely express their love for one another. When he seems hesitant to takethat path, she suggests another route of escape. "Then there is the broadpathway of the sea!...It brought thee hither. If thou so choose, it will bearthee back again." Hester is willing to give up her newfound acceptance as'healer', from the villagers in a moment to win a chance to live in happinesswith a man who has so far shown her little support. Hester also shows her love for Dimmesdale with her courage inconfronting Roger Chillingworth with her intent to warn Dimmesdale ofthe threat Chillingworth poses him. She is willing to break the vow ofsecrecy she has made to Chillingworth, saying "I must reveal thesecret...He must discern thee in thy true character...this long debt of confidence, due from me to him, whose bane and ruin I have been, shall atlength be paid". She knows that Chillingworth is a plotting, revengefulman, whose physical deformity reflects the evil content of his heart. Againshe is standing up for the man she loves. In the same conversation, Hestertries to shift Chillingworth's 'vengeance in disguise' off the man she loves and onto herself. She asks him "It was I, not less than he. Why hast thounot avenged thyself on me?" Other examples of Hester's undying devotion include the descriptionof what a loving ...
