The Triumph of Deborah ~ a teaser

This bit is quoted from The Triumph of Deborah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy (2008), pages 155-156:

"Exalted judge, what does the Torah decree:  How long after his wife's demise is it permissible for a widower to take a new wife?"

"If this matter has been burdening you, you did well to come to me with it, for I have good tidings for you.  The Torah does not lay down any injunction at all in this respect.  All you need to do is to consult the dictates of your own heart.  And since I surmise that by now you are hankering after a new woman," she added shrewdly, "you would do well to consult her, too."

To this the man had a rather astounding reply.  "It is precisely what I am doing at this moment."