The Wings of the Dove

There is another reference to washing hands of someone in chapter 2 (page 27 in my edition). Kate's sister Marian is speaking:

But, all the same, if you wash your hands of me forever for it, I won't for this once, keep back that I don't consider you've a right, as we all stand, to throw yourself away.

This has to build our sympathy for Kate. Everyone she has dealt with so far with is making themselves out to be a Christ figure about to be sacrificed for Kate's sins while, at the same time, insisting, as Marian does here, that Kate sacrifice herself to their purposes.