# Tessa — Romola character guide

> Tessa in Romola by George Eliot.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** pretty Tessa, little Tessa, Pretty little Tessa, poor little Tessa, Poor little Tessa, L Tessa, the little Tessa

**First appearance:** 0016-xiv-the-peasants-fair

## Snapshot

A trusting peasant girl with a child's faith and a mother's devotion, kept in a quiet house by a husband who is not really hers.

## Who they are

Tessa is a contadina of simple joy and simpler trust, given a ring and a promise in a mock ceremony she believes is real, and hidden away with Monna Lisa so that Tito's Florentine life can continue undisturbed. Her love is unguarded and her ignorance is the very thing Tito works to preserve, because her charm depends on her never learning the truth. She matters because she is the cost of his charm — the small field-flower he keeps from ever knowing what world she lives in.

## Relationships

### [Tito Melema](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/tito_melema)

_romantic_

Tessa is Tito's secret wife and mother of his children, living in ignorance of his other life.

### [Messer Naldo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/messer_naldo)

_professional_

Messer Naldo is a doctor or official who interacts with Tessa, possibly in a medical or legal capacity.

### [Tito Melema](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/tito_melema)

_romantic_

Tessa is Tito's secret wife and mother of his children, living in ignorance of his other life.

### [Tito Melema](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/tito_melema)

_romantic_

Tessa is Tito's secret wife and mother of his children, living in ignorance of his other life.

### [Messer Naldo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/messer_naldo)

_professional_

Messer Naldo is a doctor or official who interacts with Tessa, possibly in a medical or legal capacity.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/book-i)

A simple, pretty country girl who encounters Tito and is charmed by him, representing innocence and simplicity.

### [II: Breakfast for Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/ii-breakfast-for-love)

A young girl selling milk and bread, who is charmed by Tito and gives him breakfast, despite her mother's disapproval.

### [A Man's Ransom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/ix-a-man-s-ransom)

Briefly appears in Tito's thoughts as he recalls her blue eyes and innocent demeanor.

### [X: Under the Plane-Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/x-under-the-plane-tree)

A simple, affectionate contadina who is drawn to Tito's kindness, finding in him a rare source of gentleness and attention.

### [XIV: The Peasants' Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xiv-the-peasants-fair)

A simple peasant girl at the fair. She is overjoyed to see Tito again and is easily deceived by the mock marriage ceremony, believing she is now his wife.

### [XVI: A Florentine Joke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xvi-a-florentine-joke)

Though not present, Tito's thoughts turn to her after hearing of Monna Ghita's death, as it might make it easier to see her again.

### [XVIII: The Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xviii-the-portrait)

Tito briefly considers the consequences of his deception on Tessa, but ultimately decides to leave the matter to time and chance.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/book-ii)

Tessa is a simple country girl who has been secretly married to Tito in a mock ceremony. She is unaware of the deception and represents the consequences of Tito's selfish actions.

### [XXXIII: Baldassarre Makes an Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxiii-baldassarre-makes-an-acquaintance)

A young mother living with Monna Lisa, secretly married to Tito. She befriends Baldassarre, bringing him food and conversation, revealing her innocent and trusting nature.

### [No Place for Repentance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxiv-no-place-for-repentance)

Shown asleep over her rosary, embodying the innocent trust and refuge Tito seeks.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/book-iii)

Tessa is revealed to be Tito's secret wife, and she has children with him. Her existence is discovered by Romola, which becomes a catalyst for Romola's decision to leave.

### [L: Tessa Abroad and at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/l-tessa-abroad-and-at-home)

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.

### [LVI: The Other Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lvi-the-other-wife)

Reveals the circumstances of her marriage to Tito, which was performed at a fair by a 'holy father' and not in a church, casting doubt on its validity.

### [LXX: Meeting Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxx-meeting-again)

Found with her children, waiting helplessly for Tito; reunited with Romola.

### [The Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxxi-the-confession)

Tessa and her children are brought home by Romola, though her presence is a background detail in this chapter.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/epilogue)

Present in the scene, still wearing her contadina gown and necklace, content and unchanged in her simple nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/tessa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters