Book 7: Chapter 2 Summary

If they had run away and gotten married, St. Ogg's would have forgiven them and taken them back. As it is, Maggie is an outcast. She has disgraced her family and herself. Even though Stephen has written a letter telling his father the facts, which letter was reported to the entire community, they prefer to treat her like a fallen woman.

She goes to see the Rector, Dr. Kenn, and tells him everything. His attitude is that the Church should be supportive of her. He tells her that her inexperience of the world prevents her from anticipating how unjust people can be. He tells her of Stephen's letter and how it vindicates her. He also tells her that Lucy has seen the letter. He says he would hope that the letter would prevent false impressions, but he knows better. She is...