The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Time passes. Hyde is not heard from again, although details about his violent and “disreputable” past emerge. Freed from his association with Hyde, Jekyll holds parties and engages in charity and religious activity, reviving his former respectable image and seeming to be “at peace” (81). Utterson attends a party given by Jekyll at which Dr. Lanyon is also present. However, for several days after this, Jekyll shuts himself in his house and will not see anyone.

Visiting Lanyon, Utterson finds the doctor in alarmingly poor health, indeed with a “death-warrant written legibly upon his face” (81). Lanyon explains that he has “had a shock” as a result of a meeting with Jekyll and “shall never recover” (81). Utterson writes a letter to Jekyll asking for an explanation for this. Jekyll replies that he has broken off his friendship with Lanyon and must live a life of seclusion as a punishment for his sins. Utterson is “amazed” at the sudden change in Jekyll. Three weeks later, Lanyon dies.

At home, Utterson opens an envelope that Lanyon had sent him shortly before his death. Inside is enclosed another envelope, marked “not to be opened till the death of disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll” (83).