The End Of The Affair

Henry invites Bendrix to live with him. Henry arrives, for the first time, at Bendrix’s house and is invited in. They drink sherry and talk about Sarah and General Gordon. When Henry invites Bendrix to stay at his house, Bendrix is “too astonished to answer” (90). Telling Bendrix to think it over, Henry then relates a dream he had the previous night, in which both men and Sarah were present. It becomes a discussion on the nature of God, before Henry turns the conversation back to his earlier invitation.

Eventually, Henry says that it was not Sarah’s fault that he “couldn't, well, love her properly” (91). He then corrects a passage from one of Bendrix’s books, describing the life of a widower. Henry also confesses to talking to Parkis, and he gave the detective Sarah’s old children’s books, as Lance had fallen sick. Bendrix agrees to stay with Henry, but only on the condition that he is allowed to pay rent.

Bendrix moves to Henry’s home across the Common. He works all day and then, in the evening, he and Henry go to the pub. One time when Henry is away, Bendrix brings a prostitute back to the house but finds himself “impotent” (93).