The Interview

4)

In this chapter a deal is made. Hester's husband will never be in contact with her again as long as she never reveals his identity as Roger Chillingworth. Later she asks,"Art thou like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about us? Hast thou enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?" This is the first we see "the Black Man" used in the story. The Devil is called the black man. This is because early in human life, certain religions expressed belief in the incarnation of a god in a human or an animal. This god was always called a devil by the Christians and it appeared disguised as an animal or dressed inconspicuously in black.
When she says he is the black man, she brings fourth the idea that she made a deal with the devil, and will therefore have to give up her soul. At least, that's the way it is supposed to work.