Penelope felt a little shiver when she saw him coming down the stairs.

Somehow or other, she had dreaded this meeting, yet when it came, she knew that it was a relief.

There was no change in his manner, no trace of anxiety in his smooth, unruffled face.

He seemed, if possible, to have grown younger, to walk more buoyantly.

His eyes met hers frankly, his smile was wholly unembarrassed.