But one never knows.

He did not go into that question, but attentive not to discourage kind fate surrendering to him the widow of Comrade Verloc, he tried to draw her to his breast.

To his astonishment she came quite easily, and even rested on his arm for a moment before she attempted to disengage herself.

Comrade Ossipon would not be brusque with kind fate.
He withdrew his arm in a natural way.
"You recognised me," she faltered out, standing before him, fairly steady on her legs.
"Of course I did," said Ossipon with perfect readiness.

"I was afraid you were going to fall.