A story of a man of character by Thomas Hardy
Dramatised for broadcasting by Desmond Hawkins
Music composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams
7-' A Judgment on the Bench '
Produced by Owen Reed in the BBC's West of England studios
The arrival of Lucetta Templeman in Casterbridge marks the turning-point in Michael Henchard's fortunes. As a widower he is able at last to offer her marriage, and so to redress the wrong he did her when in earlier years their conduct together caused a scandal that clouded her reputation. With a dogged determination to follow the course of duty. Henchard invites Lucetta to make the wedding arrangements as quickly as she pleases. But Lucetta, now a rich woman as the result of a legacy, is no longer so dependent upon the Mayor that she need welcome a proposal made in such a matter-of-fact manner, without finesse or romantic feeling. To her, purely moral decision is not so attractive as Henchard assumes it to be. Moreover, she has made the acquaintance of Donald Farfrae-and in Farfrae she sees a promise of far pleasanter things than the plain fulfilment of the strict letter of duty. Having once begun to weigh the two men against each other. Lucetta is in a dilemma. Can she dare to reject Henchard? Can she bear to refuse Farfrae? While she hesitates, the rivalry in trade between the two men deepens to a rivalry in love.