As I mentioned in an earlier post, I believe he had a lonely childhood, in the sense no 'close' family member, and Fanny and their son are 'family' which he probably never felt he really had.

Perhaps he derives security from her and without her would feel lost. This kind of dependance IMO makes him actually feel he is doing the right thing because, she said so. He is quite secure in her judgement.

I feel *any* wife would have moulded him to her pattern - because he could have been rendered amiable had he married an amiable woman, we are told.