After this episode, the issue of Widmerpool's sex life is not mentioned until, in the later stages of the Second World War, he admits to picking up "tarts" during the blackout.[51] After the war his disastrous marriage to Pamela Flitton appears to provide him with no normal physical satisfaction; according to Pamela he gave up trying after two abortive attempts to sleep with her and was reduced to furtive pleasure from observing her sexual activities with others.[2] He is also reported to have had some depraved dealings with a prostitute known as "Pauline".[52] In old age, within the Murtlock cult, he is said to have "watched [girls] naked, whenever he could".[53]