# L: Tessa Abroad and at Home explained — Romola > Chapter companion for Romola by George Eliot. ## What happens Tessa, now living in a new home near the Porta Santa Croce with her children Lillo and Ninna, goes out to see the Carnival with her husband's reluctant permission. She encounters Bratti, who sells her a cross and learns where she lives. Later, she is accosted by a man who tries to steal her necklace, but Romola intervenes, hiding Tessa's valuables in her basket and guiding her safely home. Baldassarre, who has been watching Tessa, sees her with Romola and realizes that Romola is Tito's wife. He decides to use this knowledge to seek his revenge, believing Romola will be inclined to believe him about Tito's infidelity. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Selfishness Tito's affection for Tessa is presented as a pure, uncomplicated love that contrasts with his strained relationship with Romola. His fondness for his children and Tessa is a source of relief from his deceitful life. ### Betrayal and Deception Tito's double life is central to this chapter. He maintains a separate household with Tessa, deceiving both her and Romola. Baldassarre's plan to reveal Tito's infidelity to Romola is a direct consequence of this deception. ### Female Agency and Marriage Tessa's limited agency is shown in her need to ask permission from Tito to go out. Romola, in contrast, acts independently and powerfully to protect Tessa, highlighting the different positions of the two wives. ### Redemption and Moral Choice Baldassarre's internal monologue reveals his choice to pursue vengeance rather than any path of forgiveness or redemption. His hatred is his primary motivation, and he sees pain as the natural order for the innocent and noble. ## Character check-ins ### Tessa Tessa goes to the Carnival, buys sweets for her children, and is helped by Romola when a man tries to steal her necklace. She is frightened by the encounter and longs to be safely home. ### Tito Melema Tito visits Tessa and the children, feeling relief and fondness in their presence, a contrast to his growing dislike for Romola. He grants Tessa permission to see the Carnival. ### Romola de' Bardi Romola encounters Tessa in the street, protects her from a thief by hiding her necklace, and guides her towards home. She is described as a 'heavenly lady' by Tessa. ### Baldassarre Calvo Baldassarre observes Tessa and Romola together, realizing that Romola is Tito's wife. He sees her as a potential ally in his quest for vengeance against Tito. ### Bratti Ferravecchi Bratti encounters Tessa at the Carnival, sells her a cross, and learns where she lives, intending to call on her later. ### Lillo Tessa's son, who is described as sturdy and intelligent. He demonstrates his cleverness by thumping Monna Lisa. ### Ninna Tessa's young daughter, who is learning to stand and is cared for by Monna Lisa. ### Monna Lisa The deaf old woman who cares for Tessa's children, allowing Tessa to go out. ## Key lines > And wherever affection can spring, it is like the green leaf and the blossom—pure, and breathing purity, whatever soil it may grow in. Love is inherently pure and life-giving, regardless of the corrupt circumstances in which it arises. _This reflects on Tito's genuine affection for Tessa and his children, which exists despite his moral failings._ > Poor Romola, with all her self-sacrificing effort, was really helping to harden Tito's nature by chilling it with a positive dislike which had beforehand seemed impossible in him; but Tessa kept open the fountains of kindness. Romola's virtuous efforts inadvertently made Tito more callous, while Tessa's simple nature preserved his capacity for kindness. _This highlights the paradoxical effect of Romola's goodness on Tito and the role Tessa plays in his emotional life._ > To him it seemed that pain was the order of the world for all except the hard and base. If any were innocent, if any were noble, where could the utmost gladness lie for them? Where it lay for him—in unconquerable hatred and triumphant vengeance. Baldassarre believes that suffering is the universal norm, and that for the innocent and noble, the only possible joy is in achieving revenge. _This reveals Baldassarre's worldview, which justifies his pursuit of vengeance against Tito._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters/l-tessa-abroad-and-at-home - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters