How would she stand her solitude--absolutely alone in that house?
It would not do for her to break down while he was locked up?
What would become of the shop then?
The shop was an asset.

Though Mr Verloc's fatalism accepted his undoing as a secret agent, he had no mind to be utterly ruined, mostly, it must be owned, from regard for his wife.
Silent, and out of his line of sight in the kitchen, she frightened him.
If only she had had her mother with her.

But that silly old woman--An angry dismay possessed Mr Verloc.

He must talk with his wife.

He could tell her certainly that a man does get desperate under certain circumstances.