What is the relative position of Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth? Why?

"She had climbed her way, since then, to a higher point. The old man, on the other hand, had brought himself nearer to her level, or perhaps below it, by the revenge which he had stooped for."

Here we see Hester standing sightly above Chillingworth in the forest. Hester is finally being assertive and Chillingworth reflects his stooping low for revenge. Hester seems to be finally getting the upper hand.