Part 4 Gloustershire, pages 182-205 Summary

Nathan writes that a year after being put on heart medication he does not have the same temptations as his brother Henry. While Henry had his dental assistant as his source of temptation and infidelity, Nathan craves something different. He has recently met a neighbor woman seventeen years younger than him. She has recently had a baby, and she is ignored by her husband. Even though Nathan cannot have sex, they begin an affair. Nathan feels affection for both Maria and her daughter Phoebe.

During Maria's visits, they discuss many things. Maria says Nathan's plans for the surgery are foolish because Americans do not stay married long enough to justify such a risky procedure. Nathan resists the idea and says he loves her and wants to have a child with her. Maria says that Nathan will not...