this stage there began to impress itself on my mind the possibility that she cared for me; also the desirability, if that were so, of becoming engaged to her.  I found my feelings became warmer.  On several occasions we found ourselves alone.  Then, one day, our talk became more personal, more tender; and I kissed her.  I do recollect distinctly the thought flashing through my mind, as she allowed me to kiss her, that she was not after all the passionless and ‘straight’ girl I had thought.  But the idea must have been a very temporary one; it did not return; she declared her love for me; and without any express ‘proposal’ on my part we walked home that afternoon mutually taking it for granted that we were engaged.  I was happy, and calmly happy; proud and elated.

“Circumstances now made it necessary for me to make money for myself and I was forced to enter a profession for which I had never felt any attraction; indeed, I had never considered the possibility of it, until I became engaged, and saw I must support myself if I were ever to marry.  I worked hard, and rapidly improved my position.

“I think I am correct in stating that from the day I became engaged my sexual troubles seemed to have ceased.  My thoughts and passions were centred on one woman.  We wrote to one another twice every week, and as far as I was concerned every thought and feeling I had I told her, and the receipt of her letters was for me the event of my life for nearly three years.  My anxiety in connection with my work used up a great deal of my energy, and, although I looked forward to the time when I should have a woman at my side every night, my sexual desires were in abeyance.  Nor did I feel any desire or temptation for other women.

“I masturbated, but not frequently.  Generally I did it to the accompaniment of images or scenes associated with my betrothed, sometimes the act was purely auto-erotic.  My leisure time was devoted to reading.

“On only one occasion did I have intercourse with a woman during my engagement (three years); it was with a girl whose acquaintance I had made at the university and who asked me to come to see her.

“I married at the age of 24.  Looking back on the early days of my married life it is now a matter of surprise to me that I was so far from exhibiting the transports of passion which since then have accompanied any intercourse with a new woman.  Partly I was frightened of shocking her; partly my three years of comparative abstinence had chastened me.  It was some weeks before I ever saw my wife entirely naked; I never touched her parts with my hand for many months; and after the first few weeks I did not have intercourse with her frequently.

“Perhaps this was to be expected.  The basis of my affection for her had always been a moral or mental one rather than physical, although she was a handsome, well-made girl.  Besides, money