Chapters 1-11 The setting is in Wessex, in the south of England, during the late 1800s. John Durbeyfields is on his way home after working as a haggler. He encounters a local parson who tells him some family history. The parson claims that The Durbeyfields are descended from the once famous d’Urbervilles, a wealthy family dating back to the time of William the Conqueror. John gets very excited and runs home to tell the …showed first 75 words of 5286 total…

…showed last 75 words of 5286 total…wakes. When she sees them, she feels strangely relieved--she is glad she will not live, because she feels unworthy of Angel's love. Sometime later, Angel and Liza-Lu watch from a hillside outside Wintoncester, as a black flag is raised above the tower. Tess has been put to death. Angel and Liza-Lu are motionless for a time, and then they join hands and go on. Tess's troubles are over: fate is finished sporting with her life.