This won't bring him back," he said gently, feeling ready to take her in his arms and press her to his breast, where impatience and compassion dwelt side by side.
But except for a short shudder Mrs Verloc remained apparently unaffected by the force of that terrible truism.

It was Mr Verloc himself who was moved.

He was moved in his simplicity to urge moderation by asserting the claims of his own personality.
"Do be reasonable, Winnie.

What would it have been if you had lost me!" He had vaguely expected to hear her cry out.

But she did not budge.