"She would have laid down her life for 'ee.I could do no more."

"She philosophically noted dates as they came past in the revolution of the year...She suddenly thought one afternoon, when looking in the glass at her fairness, that there was yet another date of greater importance to her than those; that of her own death, when all these charms would have disappeared; a day which lay sly and unseen among all the other days of the year, giving no sign or sound when she annually passed over it; but not the less, surely there."

Tess of the D'urbervilles
1891 novel
by Thomas Hardy

Tess Durbeyfield is a young woman, and oldest daughter of poor Wessex merchants, Joan and John Durbeyfield.When her father is informed of his familial connection to an old,noble,and long-forgotten family by the name of D'urberville, he is overjoyed.There is a last section of the D'urberville family living in a manor in Tantridge.They urge their beautiful,innocent daughter Tess to go and "claim kin," not knowing that this family purchased the D'urberville title long ago.
At first, Tess is against the idea, but eventually agrees, wishing to make amends for accidentally killing her father's only horse.After her visit to her supposed relations in Tantridge, Tess is offered a job on the estate, which she accepts.While living at Tantridge, Tess is introduced to Alec D'urberville, the unruly son of the late Mr. D'urberville, and the blind, invalid Mrs D'urberville, who Tess works for.Tess wishes to make connections with this extended part of her family, but is wary of Alec's behavior towards her.She discovers that she has just cause, when Alec rapes Tess in the middle of the night.
Tess immediately returns to her home in Marlott, where she soon after discovers that she is with child.She gives birth to a child, whom she names Sorrow.Tess loves her child, yet hates his connection to Alec.Sorrow falls ill and dies in the middle of the night not long after he is born.Tess buries him in unconsecrated ground.She decides to leave this all behind her, as she takes a position as a dairy maid at Talbothay's.
In the rural valley where Talbothay's is situated, Tess begins to feel at home,as if she has a new chance at life.She befriends her fellow dairy maids, as well as one Angel Clare, the son of a reverend in Emminster, who is learning agriculture in hopes of owning his own land one day.Angel is equally captivated by the beautiful Tess Durbeyfield.Their friendship soon develops in to more, and Angel, believing Tess to be a saintly virgin, asks for her hand in marriage.Tess,who had previously said she would never marry, eventually accepts, knowing that she truly does love Angel too much to refuse him.
The newlywed couple is immensely happy until their wedding night.Angel confides in Tess that he is not spotless himself, having had an affair with a woman in London.Tess forgives him, and feels that he will surely understand that her virginity was forcefully taken from her.She tells him the truth, seeking forgiveness, but is shocked to find that Angel is mortified, and cannot forgive her, even though he still claims to love her.Angel immediately makes arrangements for Tess to go back to her parents home, while he goes to South America to establish himself as a farmer, the plan being to send for her once he is ready.
Tess, heartbroken, does as Angel desires and the two separate.At first, Tess sends him letters of love and support.Not knowing that Angel has fallen desparately ill, which is why he has not responded, she then writes a letter saying that she does not forgive him, and she never wishes to see him again.
Shortly after this time, Tess runs into Alec D'urberville again.At first she lashes out against him and tries to avoid him.Alec persists, however, professing his undying love for her.He eventually offers her some kind of "proof," which is never revealed, that Angel is never coming back to her.That, along with promises to provide for her poverty stricken family, persuades Tess to become his mistress.
Angel eventually recovers from his illness and rushes back to England to find Tess.He searches for quite some time, eventually finding her staying in a boarding house as a Mrs. D'urberville with Alec.Tess is shocked to see him again, and tells him it's too late, and to leave.Angel does as she wishes.Tess returns to Alec, furious with him for lying to her about Angel being gone forever.The two fight, and Tess stabs Alec and runs away to catch up with Angel.She confesses her sin to Angel, and the two flee from the law together, hoping to make it to a neutral country so that they can escape.
The police find them eventually, and take Tess into custody.Tess is willing to pay for her crime, and departs only after making angel promise to marry her younger sister Liza-Lu, and to try to love her as much as he loved Tess.In the end, Tess is put on trial and sentenced to death.

The story of Tess of the D'urbervilles is not exactly light-hearted, but is a passionate, heartbreaking love story, as well as a commentary on some of the social rules and religious views of the time.

You can find Tess of the D'urbervilles at any bookstore.
Also, if you're interested, BBC made it into a movie in 2008.
You can see the preview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhZ_flom1Q
OR you can begin watching the actual movie here, and follow consecutive links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFLSYxx9Jvo