It seems that the report is mistaken, and Tess' visits to the priest McCorquodale are innocent. However, McCorquodale has killed his own wife and buried her in the cellar. Pringle still wishes to kill Tess, but instead tells people she has 'gone away', a classic ploy used when one has killed one's wife. His intention is to gain respect as a killer. Tess agrees to live out of sight with McCorquodale.
