Aurora Leigh

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses rape.

Marian continues her story, relating that after she was raped, she found a job in Paris working as a maid but was soon fired when she could no longer conceal the evidence of the pregnancy that developed as a result of the rape. Eventually, Marian chanced upon a kind seamstress, who offered her work. Aurora apologizes to Marian for judging her and offers to look after her and her son in Italy. Marian accepts the offer. After her meeting with Marian, Aurora reflects on the challenges of womanhood and writes to Lord Howe to report on Marian’s welfare. She also writes to Lady Waldemar, reprimanding her for her mistreatment of Marian. In the midst of these communications, Aurora also realizes that she loves Romney. Aurora, Marian, and the baby take a train to Italy, and the three stay together in a house in Florence. Aurora feels unwell when she imagines the wedding of Romney Leigh to Lady Waldemar.

After some weeks, a letter arrives from a friend named Vincent Carrington, congratulating her on the success of a book she recently published. From the letter, Aurora struggles to extract news of Romney’s marriage.