Summary

Dell is now 66 years old and an English teacher in Chapter 68, and in his classes privileges the novels of Thomas Hardy, especially The Mayor of Casterbridge. He has become a Canadian citizen, married a Canadian girl, and lives in Windsor, Ontario. He and his wife, Clare, have no children. They occasionally take trips back to the States, and at one point they stop in Fort Royal. He has told her his story but never talks much about it. He discovers Fort Royal barely exists any longer. They drive to Partreau, which is now completely gone, and he stands near the graves of Jepps and Crosley. Dell tries to make sense of it all but can’t. Dell leaves Partreau again. This time it is forever.

Dell visits Berner in the Twin Cities in Chapter 69. She is ill and dying. Dell has previously...