Hester Prynne, the Unshackled

"But, in no time after the physician's death, the
wearer of the scarlet letter disappeared, and Pearl
along with her. For many years, through a vague
report would now and then find its way across
the sea--like a shapeless piece of driftwood tossed
ashore, with the initials of a name upon it--yet no tidings of them unquestionably authentic were received. The story of the scarlet letter grew to
legend." (Hawthorn 238)