In "The Scarlet Letter" when R. C. visits Hester in Ch. IV, she is fearful after seeing him in the "audience" putting his finger to his lips. Even as she stood on that pedestal, Hester feels "It was better to stand thus, with so many betwixt him and her, than to greet him, face to face, they two alone." for the public exposure provides some "refuge." Ironically, as physician R.C. is called into her cell to treat her for the nervousness which he himself has caused by her recognition of him. Surprisingly, he enters the cell with the demeanor and speech of a physician, calm and in control of the situation, even when the jailer departs. Hester fears that he may harm both her and the child, but he assures her that he knows nothing about poisons; besides the child is "none of mine" he says, denoting his lack of interest in its fate. As he gives a doubtful Hester a drink, she warns the physician she considers death. Calmly, he asks, "Dost thou know me so little?" (he has already declared that he would help either of them no matter what the circumstances). Still, Hester fears that he will now deal with her as the wayward wife; he does, telling her he has expected her behavior. When he asks for the name of her lover and is denied, he tells H. "he must needs be mine!" H. says his deeds are kind, but his words terrorize her. R. C. asks her to keep him a secret; she agrees.
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