The Mayor of Casterbridge
what is the undertaking that is been spoken about her
chapter -2
the preplexing
chapter -2
the preplexing
I'm not completely sure what you are referring to but perhaps this helps,
He starts searching for his wife and baby, but it's hard because he's not willing to tell anyone how he got separated from them. After all, admitting that he auctioned them off wouldn't make him very many friends.
http://www.shmoop.com/mayor-casterbridge/chapter-2-summary.html