Why does hester find sanctuary in the crowd?

I think you might mean the Rev. Wilson interceding. The Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale is exhorted to make Hester tell the gathered crowd who the father is. She refuses and instead tells him that she will bear both his shame and her own. Dimmesdale cries out, "She will not speak!" and places his hand over his heart. The Reverend Mr. Wilson steps forward and delivers a sermon against sin, after which Hester is allowed to return to the prison.

Source(s): http://www.gradesaver.com/the-scarlet-letter/study-guide/section2/