As the carriage drove on through Blackmoor Vale，Tess now began to awake from her sorrow and wonder how she could face her parents．
She left the carriage and came into Marlott on foot． When she entered the little cottage， her mother was doing the washing as usual． ‘Why Tess！’she cried when she saw her daughter．‘I thought you were married！Really married this time！’ ‘Then where's your husband？’ ‘Gone away！When were you married then？Tuesday，as you said？’ ‘Married on Tuesday and today it's only Saturday，and he's gone away！What strange husbands you seem to find，Tess！’ ‘Mother！’Tess ran across to Joan and put her head on Joan's shoulder．‘You told me I mustn't tell him．But I did-I couldn't help it―and he went away！’

当马车穿越黑荒野山谷继续行驶时，苔丝渐渐从悲痛中醒转过来，开始思考该怎样面对她的父母。
她下了马车，步行进入马勒特村。 当她走进那间小农舍时，她母亲一如往常地在洗着衣服。 “苔丝，为什么？”她看到她女儿，不由得叫了起来，“我以为你结婚了！这次是真的结婚了吧！” ‘Yes，mother，I am．’ “是的，妈妈，结婚了。” “那么，你的丈夫呢？” ‘Gone away for a time．’ “要离开一段时间。” “离开！那么，你们是什么时候结婚的？如你说的，星期二？” ‘Yes，mother．’ “是的，妈妈。” “星期二结婚，今天才不过是星期六，他就已经走了。看来你是找了一个非常奇怪的丈夫啊，苔丝！” “妈！”苔丝朝琼奔去，把她的头伏在琼的肩上，“你嘱咐我不要告诉他，但是我说了――我忍不住――然后他走了！”