The present phase of her silence he interpreted favourably.

This was the time to make it up with her.
The silence had lasted long enough.

He broke it by calling to her in an undertone.
"Winnie." "Yes," answered obediently Mrs Verloc the free woman.

She commanded her wits now, her vocal organs; she felt herself to be in an almost preternaturally perfect control of every fibre of her body.

It was all her own, because the bargain was at an end.