Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/559

 intimated that he feared that his approaching marriage, which was to take place on Thursday next, in B—, was "a great mistake;" but expressly declaring that the young lady was "an ideal woman," and.that "any man who had been so lucky as to win her ought to thank God on his knees." Other remarks show the warmth of his affection for his fiancée. That there was no other "woman in the case," and no question of health or money appears conclusive. The mystery of the tragedy is deepened by the fact that Mr. Y— said to a friend some two months ago that "he knew that his marriage would be his greatest trouble"—that "there was a curse on it". He never explained this extraordinary remark."

Once bound formally, indissolubly, to the side of a woman? committed to the impossible in his marital role, the aversion of a homosexual man can become loathing till the end is a crime. Possibly there is faithlessness on his part; not with women, but with fellow-uranians. A kind of cruel pity for the wife can have a share in his fury. At any rate, he has reached the point where he will get rid of his torment; but not by suicide. Sexual hatred of his wife deepens. He does not care for gallows or guillotines? Felony and death—rather than the daily contacts that so irritate him—that drive him wild! Better his children should not live than grow up sexual unfortunates like himself! Such revolts from wedlock are labeled "insanity without cause"—"sudden mania"—"groundless jealousy;" or else unjust suspicion is cast on the wife.

One "historic" wife-murder (in the highest circles of the aristocracy of the French Second Empire) was infused with homosexualism—though the secret was well-kept. Another more recent socialtragedy [sic], of somewhat similar kind (in England) was entirely such. In a South American city, about a year ago, a merchant killed his wife "to ged [sic] rid of her," and to resume his former sexual life with a male partner.