The topic , it might be supposed , was obvious enough . There was the black veil swathed round Mr. Hooper 's forehead and concealing every feature above his placid mouth , on which , at times , they could perceive the glimmering of a melancholy smile . But that piece of crape , to their imagination , seemed to hang down before his heart , the symbol of a fearful secret between him and them . Were the veil but cast aside , they might speak freely of it , but not till then . Thus they sat a considerable time , speechless , confused and shrinking uneasily from Mr. Hooper 's eye , which they felt to be fixed upon them with an invisible glance . Finally , the deputies returned abashed to their constituents , pronouncing the matter too weighty to be handled except by a council of the churches , if , indeed , it might not require a General Synod . But there was one person in the village unappalled by the awe with which the black veil had impressed all besides herself . When the deputies returned without an explanation , or even venturing to demand one , she with the calm energy of her character determined to chase away the strange cloud that appeared to be settling round Mr. Hooper every moment more darkly than before . As his plighted wife it should be her privilege to know what the black veil concealed . At the minister 's first visit , therefore , she entered upon the subject with a direct simplicity which made the task easier both for him and her . After he had seated himself she fixed her eyes steadfastly upon the veil , but could discern nothing of the dreadful gloom that had so overawed the multitude ; it was but a double fold of crape hanging down from his forehead to his mouth and slightly stirring with his breath . `` No , '' said she , aloud , and smiling , `` there is nothing terrible in this piece of crape , except that it hides a face which I am 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 . `` There is an hour to come , '' 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 a mystery too , '' returned the young lady . `` Take away the veil from them , at least . '' `` Elizabeth , I will , '' said he , `` so far as my vow may suffer me .
Know , then , this veil is a type and a symbol , and I am bound to wear it ever , both in light and darkness , in solitude and before the gaze XXXXX multitudes , and as with strangers , so with my familiar friends .
After At before besides in of on than till with