What is the main conflict in Small World by David Lodge?

Small World is a tale about the comings and goings of a group of English language and literature scholars. It begins with Persse McGarrigle, from a small Irish college, attending his first conference at a small English college that has never before hosted a conference. Persse, along with the readers, learns the role conferences play in academia: a little work teamed with as much fun as possible. Along with several more experienced colleagues, Persse pursues a beautiful participant whose name badge reads A L Pabst. Persse falls in love with her and arranges (he thinks) a tryst, but she tricks him and departs, leaving no way to contact her. In Rummidge, Persse also learns that his cousin Bernadette has dishonored herself and been cast out by the family.