“Quickly, then, child!” said the minister, bending his ear close to her lips. “Quickly, and as low as thou canst whisper.”

Pearl mumbled something into his ear that sounded, indeed, like human language, but was only such gibberish as children may be heard amusing themselves with by the hour together. At all events, if it involved any secret information in regard to old Roger Chillingworth, it was in a tongue unknown to the erudite clergyman, and did but increase the bewilderment of his mind.

The elvish child then laughed aloud.

“Dost thou mock me now?” said the minister.

“Thou wast not bold! — thou wast not true!” answered the child. “Thou wouldst not promise to take my hand, and mother’s