Aziz is charged with molesting Adela Quested and arrested as soon as he reaches the train station. The entire British population goes into a frenzy, seeking punishment. Because he is an Indian, the British all think Aziz is guilty. Only Mr. Fielding respects and trusts Aziz and supports him in his hour of distress; as a result, he is alienated from the British. Mrs. Moore is also sympathetic towards him, but she is sent back to England because she is frank in expressing her views. Losing the will to live, she dies en route to England

Aziz is imprisoned, and a trial is set. At the crucial moment in the trial, Adela states that Aziz had not molested her and withdraws her charges. For this, Adela is treated as an outcast by the British, and her engagement with Ronny is broken. Only Fielding befriends her, and she stays with him. Aziz, however, is angry with Fielding for sheltering Adela. Because of the trial, Aziz has become a hardened Indian, determined to avenge his dishonor by freeing India from the shackles of the British.

Forster ends by saying "not now, not there," indicating that in the future, when barriers crumble, lasting friendship between the British and Indians might be possible. Until then, the passage to India, the land of mystery, will remain troubled.

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