Whileoccupiedwiththesereflections，aknockcameatthedoorofthestudy，andtheministersaid，\"Comein！\"—notwhollydevoidofanideathathemightbeholdanevilspirit。Andsohedid！ItwasoldRogerChillingworththatentered。Theministerstood，whiteandspeechless，withonehandontheHebrewScriptures，andtheotherspreaduponhisbreast。
\"Welcomehome，reverendsir，\"saidthephysician。\"Andhowfoundyouthatgodlyman，theApostleEliot？Butmethinks，dearsir，youlookpale；asifthetravelthroughthewildernesshadbeentoosoreforyou。WillnotmyaidberequisitetoputyouinheartandstrengthtopreachyourElectionSermon？\"
\"Nay，Ithinknotso，\"rejoinedtheReverendMr。Dimmesdale。\"Myjourney，andthesightoftheholyApostleyonder，andthefreeairwhichIhavebreathed，havedonemegood，aftersolongconfinementinmystudy。Ithinktoneednomoreofyourdrugs，mykindphysician，goodthoughtheybe，andadministeredbyafriendlyhand。\"
Allthistime，RogerChillingworthwaslookingattheministerwiththegraveandintentregardofaphysiciantowardshispatient。
But，inspiteofhisoutwardshow，thelatterwasalmostconvincedoftheoldman’sknowledge，or，atleast，hisconfidentsuspicion，withrespecttohisowninterviewwithHesterPrynne。Thephysicianknewthen，that，intheminister’sregard，hewasnolongeratrustedfriend，buthisbitterestenemy。Somuchbeingknown，itwouldappearnaturalthatapartofitshouldbeexpressed。Itissingular，however，howlongatimeoftenpassesbeforewordsembodythings；andwithwhatsecuritytwopersons，whochoosetoavoidacertainsubject，mayapproachitsveryverge，andretirewithoutdisturbingit。Thus，theministerfeltnoapprehensionthatRogerChillingworthwouldtouch，inexpresswords，upontherealpositionwhichtheysustainedtowardsoneanother。Yetdidthephysician，inhisdarkway，creepfrightfullynearthesecret。