a seven-year work contract with Milton's sister. Hester and Pearl work with Milton's sister until Pearl turns 18. Pearl learns that Devlin gave her property in England and New England. She sells the English property and purchases a home in the English countryside, where Nehemiah and she get married. Pearl and Nehemiah argue about Simon's welfare, and Pearl decides to improve Simon's quality of life. In the meantime Caleb and Liza Milton both die, leaving Pearl in charge of the household. Simon reveals his lust for Pearl, and they have sex while Nehemiah is away. Pearl becomes pregnant, and initially claims the child is Nehemiah's, before he learns the truth. Nehemiah indirectly kills Simon by causing him to commit suicide, which is covered up, and Pearl grieves for a long time. Her child, Abigail, is sent to live with Nehemiah and her servant Mag in London. After a plague ravages London, both Nehemiah and Pearl move back to London with Abigail, who refuses to speak to Pearl or call her "mother." While in London Pearl learns that Nehemiah cheated on her many times with Mag while drunk. He later has an affair with the widow of an English army general. Pearl doesn't know how to feel about this until Doctor Devlin comes. He explains to Pearl the story of her conception, and gives her the scarlet "A" that her mother wore. Soon, London experiences a great fire, which burns all of Nehemiah's trading stock. Pearl permits Nehemiah to leave her for someone with fewer traumas, before leaving for New England with Devlin and Abigail to make a new life. Characters Pearl - the illegitimate child of Hester, wife of Nehemiah, and mother of Abigail. She is the main character. Hester - the mother of Pearl who is forced by law to wear a scarlet "A" on her chest because she committed adultery Doctor Devlin - the physician for the local minister and the man who had sex with Hester and claims to be the father of Pearl Liza - the servant of Caleb Milton, the father of Simon and Nehemiah. She is Pearl's friend. Simon - a blind boy whom Pearl befriends. She moves to England with him and eventually has sex with him. He is the father of Abigail. Nehemiah - the older brother of Simon whom Pearl marries. He is a merchant like his father. Mag - the