Thomas Hardy heroine (4)
I believe the answer is:
'thomas hardy heroine' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tess that I've seen before include "Thomas Hardy girl" , "D'Urbeville heroine" , "Hardy female" , "'Justice' finally done on her (Hardy)" , "- - of the d'Urbervilles" .)