Chapters 13-16 Summary

Chapter 13, entitled "Impotentia Coeundi," covers Sandro's annulment proceedings. He enters the proceedings happy, knowing that he is in love with Margot. His smile soon disappears. The judges take their job seriously, ensuring that married couples stay together. Sandro's strategy for obtaining an annulment is to declare impotency. He recalls the embarrassing examinations and humiliating questions already asked regarding this area of his marriage.

The judges find out that his impotency only seems applicable to one person, his wife. It is their decision that because of this, he should spend more time with his wife. They feel that if he does this, he might find out that he isn't impotent anymore. Sandro relates all this to Margot later on in the day as they rest and try to make love, but he has, ironically, become impotent.

As Chapter 14, "An Instinct for Happiness...