The Blithedale Romance

Coverdale immediately senses his intrusion on an important moment between his three former friends. Zenobia informs him that she’s on trial for her life and asks him to stay and judge her case. Coverdale looks closely at the group, noting that Hollingsworth appears as a Puritan magistrate, Zenobia as a sorceress, and Priscilla as a “pale victim” (214). In addition, he realizes that Zenobia and Hollingsworth are no longer friends. Hollingsworth appears ready to leave, but Zenobia stops him and accuses him of using her only for her money. Now that she’s poor and has allowed Moodie and Priscilla to inherit the family fortune, Hollingsworth has deserted her and chosen Priscilla. Shocked by her anger, Hollingsworth expresses his love for Priscilla. Zenobia charges him with heartlessness and a selfish devotion to his own goals above the lives and feelings of others. Demanding Priscilla come with him, Hollingsworth turns to leave. Priscilla, however, hesitates, turning to Zenobia and reminding her of their sisterhood. Zenobia agrees but reveals that while she never wanted to harm Priscilla, the younger woman “stood between me and an end which I desired” (220). Although she warns Priscilla of Hollingsworth’s mercurial nature, Zenobia finally commands her sister to go with him.