YEARS LATER, SUSAN, NOW A WIDOW, ARRIVES IN CASTERBRIDGE WHITH ELIZABETH-JANE, SO SEEK HER LEGAL HUSBAND. TO THEIR SURPRISE, HENCHARD IS NOW THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE AND, FOLLOWING THE SALE OF HIS WIFE, TOOK A TWENTY-ONE YEAR VOW NOT TO DRINK, OUT OF SHAME. HENCHARD REMARRIES SUSAN AND, AS ELIZABETH-JANE BELIVES HERSELF TO BE NEWSONS DAUGHTER, HE ADOPTS HER AS HIS OWN. BUT HE CANNOT EVADE HIS DESTINY BY SUCH MEASURES, FOR HIS PAST REFUSES TO BE BURRIED. FATE CONTRIVES FOR HIM TO BE P