The End Of The Affair

Bendrix cannot read any more. The last entry he reads is dated a week before and it states: “I want Maurice. I want ordinary corrupt human love” (66). Bendrix decides that there is enough love “left for our two lives” (66) and calls Sarah on the telephone. The maid answers. Sarah is out. Bendrix waits five minutes and calls back, disguising his voice. First, he asks for Henry, claiming to be Sir William Mallock. When the maid says Henry is out, Bendrix asks for Sarah. Sarah comes to the phone.

Bendrix says he is coming to visit Sarah, but she says she is in bed with an illness. Even as Sarah begs Bendrix not to come, he insists. After a lengthy debate, Bendrix hangs up and begins to walk across the Common. The weather is bad. By the time he crosses the Common, Sarah is already exiting her house. Bendrix thinks, “with happiness, I have her now” (67).

But Sarah walks away in the opposite direction, as though she has not seen Bendrix. He follows. Sarah walks to the tube but has no purse with her to buy a ticket. Bendrix follows her further but loses sight of her in a crowd.