What was the purpose of the pillar of cloud in tess of the d'urbervilles?

I know it can be found in exodus 13:21, but how is that verse related to a party in that novel?What was the purpose of the pillar of cloud in tess of the d'urbervilles?
I can't remember that exact connection. It is almost 30 years since I read Tess. The novel was made into a movie in the early 80's, and it does quite a good job with the story.



These sites should be of some help in your work with Tess.



http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/tess/

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/t鈥?/a>

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guide鈥?/a>

http://www.bibliomania.com/1/7/26/1141/f鈥?/a>

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitN鈥?/a>

http://education.yahoo.com/homework_help鈥?/a>