She had got up from the floor, and Ossipon regretted not having, run out at once into the street.

But he perceived easily that it would not do.

It would not do.

She would run after him.
She would pursue him shrieking till she sent every policeman within hearing in chase.

And then goodness only knew what she would say of him.
He was so frightened that for a moment the insane notion of strangling her in the dark passed through his mind.