Louisa and Beth have a conversation over drinks. What impact do you feel Louisa’s revelations and her opinion that Beth “ruined Gabriel for anyone else” (p. 147) had on Beth’s future actions? Do you think the affair still would have happened?

When Louisa comes to visit Leo, she and Beth go out for a drink. What impact, if any, do you feel Louisa’s revelations and her opinion that Beth “ruined Gabriel for anyone else” (p. 147) had on Beth’s future actions? Do you think the affair still would have happened?

Maybe this conversation was a bit to late; however, their meeting didn’t seem pivotal for Beth. She had Gabriel on her mind already, and she certainly didn’t need Louisa’s permission! The story wouldn’t have changed for me if the author/editors had excluded this meeting from the book.

I agree with NanK and wonder if this meeting was essential in any way? Could it have been excluded? Definitely too late for Beth to change her actions, I think.

Perhaps the conversation with Louisa gave Beth just the nudge and justification or excuse she needed to act on her feelings for Gabriel?