How does Esther act when she returns to Boston? How might her night with Marco have influenced her actions?

Well because Marco tried to rape her her actions were completely focused. This is because rape is a big thing. She had any hope for a relationship with this man that she thought was perfect shattered when he tried to rape her. When she finally gets back to Boston she is sad. She does not get up early she sleeps in. She mopes around and even considers writing a novel. The events that took place also took away something that she prized as a momento of the good or rich life. Marco takes back the diamond that he gave her and it for her takes away her hope as well. This also influences her actions because when she has no hope she is pouty and whiny and sad.