The Dowager Marquise requests that an old family friend, Adelaide Painter, talk some sense into the family. Darrow agrees with the Marquise that the union would not be wise. Anna quizzes him about Sophy, out of concern for Owen, who is engaged to Sophy. Darrow admits to Anna that he knew Sophy already. Darrow tries to convince Sophy not to marry Owen, and Sophy accuses him of jealousy. Sophy, embarrassed by the situation, begs Darrow not to say anything that might jeopardize her employment. It is revealed that Anna has hired a governess for her young daughter, Effie. Additionally, Darrow informs Anna of his plans for their future together: he hopes to move to South America together for his job. They speak of their future and of Anna's stepson Owen, who wishes to marry a woman of whom his grandmother, Dowager Marquise de Chantelle, does not approve. Months later, Darrow meets Anna at her French country chateau at Givré. During their time spent together, the two enter into a romantic affair. Enthralled, Darrow convinces her to spend a few days with him so he can show her around Paris. Sophy, although down on her luck, is an ambitious aspiring actress determined to start a new life in France.

Deeply humiliated and disappointed, Darrow boards the boat regardless and runs into the young Sophy Viner, a woman he had previously encountered but never gotten to know thoroughly. The novel begins with Darrow preparing to join Anna in France when he receives a telegram ordering him to wait 'til thirtieth' because of an 'unexpected obstacle' - one of many such delays Anna has ordered. Darrow desires to continue the relationship he had with Anna but remains concerned about her commitment to the relationship. Now widowed, she resumes contact with Darrow. George Darrow, an American diplomat residing in London, has remained in contact with his former love, Anna Leath, who previously married another man. She wrote, “Anyhow, remember it’s not me, though I thought it was when I was writing it-& that next time I’m going to do something worthwhile!!” Summary In a letter to Bernard Berenson in November 1912, Wharton expressed regret regarding her novel, calling it a “poor miserable lifeless lump”. While writing the novel, Edith Wharton visited England, Sicily, and Germany, among other locations.

The novel takes place in Paris and rural France, but primarily features American characters. It concerns a romance between a widow and her former lover.

The Reef is a 1912 novel by American writer Edith Wharton.

1911 novel by edith wharton