Who are we sympathetic for? - Ambiguous between women — all can be victimised, however definitely not Thomas.

Thomas following societal norms - but Rossetti treats him with distaste for the morality.

Characters: Nell, Maude Clare, Thomas

• Nell & Thomas have just got married, husband’s ex (Maude Clare) walks in.

• Maude Clare’s kept the leaves from their sex in the ditch

• Something aloof and dignified “lofty step and mien” - planned outstaging of the bride

• Nell “village maid” , “Maude Clare was like a queen”

• Tears as an attempt to offer comfort - after she’s been outstaged.

3rd stanza: “Your father thirty years ago / Had just your tale to tell; / But he was not so pale as you”

• SOCIETAL duality of expectation between men and women,
• Men are accepted to have had other affairs before - significance of father = tale as old of time (c.f. Droit du seigneur)
• Rossetti suggesting an equillibrium can be achieved if you are true to one another within a relationship.
• “pale” “tears” - subversion of whiteness & purity

4th stanza: “My lord was pale with inward strife”

• “My lord” — veined respect to Thomas, pale because of embarrassment & regret
• “Nell was pale with pride” — idea of possessiveness of Thomas