Chapter 18 Summary

In this chapter, we learn that Susan is quite ill, and Michael hires an expensive doctor to care for her. She recovers partially after a few days. Michael's lover in Jersey, Lucetta, writes to him and we learn that she has been writing him love letters in which she expressed her displeasure that he did not keep his promise to marry her. She asks him to give these letters back to her, and tells him she will soon be passing through Casterbridge. He decides to give all the letters back to her, but she does not show up at the time and place she suggests in her letter. He also decides he will keep his promise if Susan dies.

Susan becomes ill once again, and writes a letter to Michael, which she seals and notes that it is not to be opened until...