Pennington's sudden fear held me in blank surprise.
Ere I could reply to him he had slipped through the door which led
into my bedroom, closing it after him, just as Delanne's stout figure
and broad, good-humoured face appeared in the doorway.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, "Meester Biddulph!" and he bowed politely over my
hand.
Then, turning to Sylvia, who stood pale and rigid, he put forth his
hand, and also bowed low over hers, saying in English: "My
respects--and heartiest congratulations to madame."