"I am beginning to be convinced that you are not at all the man for the work you've been employed on.
Why, you must have discredited yourself completely in your own world by your marriage.

Couldn't you have managed without?
This is your virtuous attachment--eh?
What with one sort of attachment and another you are doing away with your usefulness." Mr Verloc, puffing out his cheeks, let the air escape violently, and that was all.

He had armed himself with patience.

It was not to be tried much longer.

The First Secretary became suddenly very curt, detached, final.
"You may go now," he said.