What is the conflict in "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses" by Irwin Saw?

The central conflict in Irwin Shaw's "The Girls in Their
Summer Dresses" exists between Michael Loomis and his wife of five years,
Frances.

A conflict is "the struggle between opposing
forces." The two forces here are Michael and Frances. As the couple walks along one
November day in New York City, Frances comments on the fact that Michael is watching the
women that pass by. This is not something new. Obviously Frances has noted this habit
for a very long time, but it is now being addressed by Frances as they
walk.

The noticeable conflict is that Michael watches other
nice-looking women. This makes Frances feel extremely self-conscious and sad, even
though she is still a beautiful woman. However, Michael also is
demonstrating his lack of regard for his wife and a sense that he is entitled to do what
he chooses. In fact, he refuses to admit if he is right or wrong, and he tries to blame
his truthful declarations on Frances:

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"I look at women," he said. "Correct. I don't
say it's wrong or right, I look at them. If I pass them on the street and I don't look
at them, I'm fooling you, I'm fooling
myself."

When Frances accuses
Michael of wanting these women he says:

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"Right," Michael said, being cruel now and not
caring, because she had made him expose himself. "You brought this subject up for
discussion, we will discuss it
fully."

Michael cares more
about his own pleasures than the feelings of his wife. This realization (which may not
be completely unsuspected by Frances) hurts her deeply. And as the story goes on, we
understand that Frances loves Michael, though it may be in a much too grasping and
desperate way that makes her husband unhappy: in fact, he may be pulling away because
she exhibits a sense of desperation that Michal cannot live comfortably
with.