The first time we meet Tess Durbeyfield, she is a 16-year-old simple country The two, Angel and Liza Lu, leave together, and the tragic tale of Tess. Tess takes a promise from him that he will marry her sister Liza Lu after her death. Alec d'Urberville. Alec is the handsome, amoral son of a wealthy merchant Tess Durbeyfield is a 16-year-old simple country girl, the eldest daughter of John Tess has Angel promise to marry her sister Liza Lu once she is gone.half, called "Liza-Lu," the youngest ones being put to bed. There was an interval offour years and more between Tess and the next of the family, the two who but without Tess's unfortunate past. At the end of her life Tess asks Angel to marry Liza-​Lu. Modesty. Durbeyfield. Modesty is one of the two Durbeyfield.