Page:A Virgin Heart.pdf/184

180 autonomy. The first thing you must do is to preserve perfect chastity for an indefinite period. Active occupations, fatigue; you must procure sheer brute sleep. Then, in two or three months make a few direct attempts, absolutely direct. If that's all right, you must marry and set your mind to producing children. There."

"Then you condemn me to conjugal duty."

"That's it precisely."

"One should marry a woman one doesn't love."

"That would be true wisdom."

"And be faithful to her."

"Obviously."

"Or else renounce everything."

"I won't go as far as that. Your case isn't desperate. You have fled in time."

"I didn't fly. I was driven away."

"Bless her cruel heart. Tell me, did she permit indiscretions?

"Yes, I should almost have said willingly."

"She will be a dangerous wife."

"She is so innocent!"

"There are no innocent women. They