She leaned back a little, quieted down to a complete unreadable stillness.
Mr Verloc's heart began to beat faster with exasperation and something resembling alarm.

He laid his hand on her shoulder, saying: "Don't be a fool, Winnie." She gave no sign.

It was impossible to talk to any purpose with a woman whose face one cannot see.

Mr Verloc caught hold of his wife's wrists.
But her hands seemed glued fast.

She swayed forward bodily to his tug, and nearly went off the chair.