What did she mean by it?
Spare him the trouble of keeping an anxious eye on Stevie?
Most likely she had meant well.

Only she ought to have told him of the precaution she had taken.
Mr Verloc walked behind the counter of the shop.

His intention was not to overwhelm his wife with bitter reproaches.

Mr Verloc felt no bitterness.

The unexpected march of events had converted him to the doctrine of fatalism.