. . . never considered rape, or even premarital sex, himself, despite the fact that women were throwing themselves at him.  Marriages that were more like rape include those of Eol and Ar-Pharazon, but even those marriages did not involve adultery. 

It is almost as if adultery was literally impossible even in the unhappiest marriage, just as breaking an oath seems to be impossible, or at least extremely difficult and risky, even when the oathmaker was not at all honorable, or when the oathmaker repented of an unwise oath.

________________________________________

"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins.  ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'

"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster.  ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'

"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins.  . . .

. . .

"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice.  ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment.  It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains.  It works wonders in some cases.  I am sending more and more there.  They seldom have to come back.'"