Mary had always thought girls who identified with characters in novels were ridiculous. Of course there had to be some connection otherwise what would be the point to reading, but to actually see yourself parallel with a heroine in a novel was a little pretentious in her opinion.
Which is why she was shocked when she blurted out her literary allusion in her confession to Matthew.
"I'm Tess of the d'urbevilles to your Angel Clare!"
In that instant she realized that she was Tess.
It wasn't that she wasn't worthy of Matthew, but like Tess she too had been taken against her will.
Of course there was lust and attraction with Kemal the same way there was attraction and interest between Tess and Alec but in that haze there was also the protestation and confusion that belied consent.
But Mary knew that now this explanation wouldn't make a difference to Matthew.
"I have fallen. I am impure…" she was resigned and finished.