Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Chapter 34 Summary & Analysis

They arrive at the farm with the ancient d'Urberville mansion and see that they have the place to themselves. The moldy house upsets Tess, and she is still worried about the crowing rooster. On the walls are portraits of old, cruel-looking d'Urberville women, and Angel can't help noticing how Tess resembles them.

The sun is low, and they share their first tea together as husband and wife. Angel wonders if he can appreciate yet the power Tess has now placed in his hands, that her future depends on his. He vows to himself to never neglect her.

They wait for their luggage but it gets dark and then starts to rain. Angel sees Tess is upset and regrets bringing her to this old house. He decides she is stressing about their luggage. There is a knock, but it is not their luggage, and instead a package for Tess from the Clares.

Tess makes Angel break the grave-looking seal, and inside is a note for Angel from Mrs. Clare. It explains that these are the jewels his godmother left him for his future wife. They spread them out and Tess cannot believe they are hers now. Tess puts them on and she appears like an exquisite lady in a ballroom, although Angel decides he prefers her simple farm-clothes.

Tess leaves the jewels on, hoping they will help her cause later, and they start to eat supper. Finally the door opens and Jonathon (a worker from Talbothays) brings in their luggage. He looks downcast, and reminds them of the cock's crow, and says that he is late because Retty Priddle had tried to drown herself in the river, and Marian was found passed out drunk. Izz alone remained in the house, although depressed. Jonathon leaves the luggage and goes out.

Angel expects Tess to be happy about their luggage, but she is upset by the girls. She feels less worthy than they are, and yet they had to suffer unrequited love and she did not. Tess decides to tell the truth at last and make amends. She stares into the fire for a long time.

Angel interrupts her reverie and reminds Tess that he had something to confess. Tess is surprised and relieved. Angel says he did not mention it before because he was afraid of losing her affection. He is not a religious man anymore, but still believes in good morals. He confesses that in London he spent two days with an older woman, before realizing his sin and fleeing. He asks Tess to forgive him, and she squeezes his hand to affirm that she does.

Tess is relieved and now ready to tell her story, although Angel still can't believe it could be anything bad. Tess feels her sin is the same as his, so Angel will surely forgive her as she forgave him. They hold hands and press their heads together, her diamonds gleaming ominously, and Tess tells the whole story of Alec d'Urberville.