The , the whole village of Milford talked of little else than Parson Hooper's black veil That, mystery concealed behind it, supplied topic for discussion between acquaintances meeting street, and good women gossiping at their open windows It first item of news tavern-keeper told 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 panic seized himself, and he well-nigh lost his wits by his own waggery

remarkable that all busybodies and impertinent people parish, not one ventured the plain question to Mr Hooper, wherefore this thing Hitherto, whenever there appeared the slightest call for such interference, he had never lacked advisers, nor shown himself averse guided by their judgment If he erred at all, by so painful degree of self-distrust, that even the mildest censure would lead him to consider an indifferent action as crime Yet, though acquainted amiable weakness, no individual among his parishioners chose to black veil subject of friendly remonstrance feeling of dread, neither plainly confessed nor carefully concealed, which caused each to shift the responsibility upon another, till found expedient to send deputation church, to deal with Mr Hooper mystery, before it should grow into 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 visitors the whole burden of introducing their important business The topic, it supposed, was obvious enough the black veil swathed round Mr Hooper's forehead, and concealing every feature above his placid mouth, , at times, perceive the glimmering of melancholy smile But that piece of crape, imagination, seemed to hang down before his heart, the symbol of fearful secret between him and them Were the veil but cast aside, speak freely of it, but not till then Thus they sat considerable time, speechless, confused, and shrinking uneasily from Mr Hooper's eye, which they felt fixed upon them with an invisible glance Finally, the deputies returned abashed constituents, pronouncing the matter too weighty handled, except by council churches, if, indeed, it require general synod

But one person village unappalled awe the black veil had impressed all beside herself deputies returned without an explanation, or even venturing to demand one, she, calm energy of her character, determined to chase away the strange cloud that appeared settling round Mr Hooper, every moment more darkly than before As his plighted wife, it her privilege what the black veil concealed minister's first visit, therefore, she entered with direct simplicity, which made the task easier both for him and her After he had seated himself, she fixed her eyes steadfastly veil, but could discern nothing dreadful gloom that had so overawed the multitude: but double fold of crape, hanging down forehead mouth, and slightly stirring breath

"No," said she aloud, and smiling, " nothing terrible piece of crape, except hides face which 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

" an hour ," 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 mystery, too," returned the young lady "Take away the veil , "

"Elizabeth, ," said he, " as my vow may suffer me Know, then, this veil is type and symbol, and bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and 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 world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it ! "

"What grievous affliction hath befallen you," she earnestly inquired, "that thus darken your eyes forever ? "

" be sign of mourning," replied Mr Hooper, "I, perhaps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough typified by black veil "

"But what world will not believe the type of an innocent sorrow ? " urged Elizabeth "Beloved and respected , whispers that you hide your face under the consciousness of secret sin sake of your holy office, do away this scandal ! "

The color rose into her cheeks as she intimated the nature rumors that were already abroad village But Mr Hooper's mildness forsake him He even smiled again--that same sad smile, which always appeared like faint glimmering of light, proceeding obscurity beneath the veil

"If I hide my face for sorrow, cause enough," he merely replied; "and if I cover it for secret sin, what mortal same ? "

And gentle, but unconquerable obstinacy did he resist all her entreaties Elizabeth sat silent For she appeared lost in thought, considering, probably, what new methods tried to withdraw her lover from so dark fantasy, which, had no other meaning, was perhaps symptom of mental disease Though of firmer character than his own, the tears rolled down her cheeks But, in an instant, as it were, new feeling took the place of sorrow: her eyes were fixed insensibly black veil, when, like sudden twilight air, its terrors fell around her She arose, and stood trembling before him

"And 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 " desert me, though this veil here on earth Be mine, and hereafter there shall be no veil over my face, no darkness between our souls ! but mortal veil-- for eternity ! O ! not how lonely , and how frightened, alone behind my black veil leave me miserable obscurity forever ! "

"Lift the veil but once, and look me face," said she

"Never ! It ! " replied Mr Hooper

"Then farewell ! " said Elizabeth

She withdrew her arm grasp, and slowly departed, pausing door, one long shuddering gaze, that seemed almost to penetrate the mystery black veil But, even amid his grief, Mr Hooper smiled that only material emblem had separated him from happiness, though the horrors, which it shadowed forth, drawn darkly fondest of lovers

no attempts were made to remove Mr Hooper's black veil, or, by direct appeal, to discover the secret which supposed to hide By persons who claimed superiority to popular prejudice, reckoned merely an eccentric whim, such as often mingles sober actions of men otherwise rational, and tinges them all with its own semblance of insanity But multitude, good Mr Hooper was irreparably bugbear walk the street with any peace of mind, so conscious was he gentle and timid would turn aside to avoid him, others would make it point of hardihood to throw themselves way The impertinence latter class compelled him up his customary walk at sunset burial ground; for when he leaned pensively over the gate, there would always be faces behind the gravestones, peeping at his black veil fable went the rounds stare dead people drove him thence It grieved him, very depth kind heart, to observe how the children fled approach, breaking up their merriest sports, while his melancholy figure was yet afar off Their instinctive dread caused him more strongly than aught else, that preternatural horror was interwoven threads black crape In truth, his own antipathy veil was known so great, that he never willingly passed before mirror, nor stooped to drink at still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, affrighted by himself what gave plausibility whispers, that Mr Hooper's conscience tortured him for some great crime too horrible entirely concealed, or otherwise than so obscurely intimated Thus, from beneath the black veil, there rolled cloud sunshine, an ambiguity of sin or sorrow, which enveloped the poor minister, love or sympathy could never reach him said that ghost and fiend consorted there With self-shudderings and outward terrors, he walked continually in its shadow, groping darkly within his own soul, or gazing through medium that saddened the whole world Even the lawless wind, believed, respected his dreadful secret, and never blew aside the veil But still good Mr Hooper sadly smiled pale visages worldly throng as he passed by