He received them with obsequious amiability.
Still, even Sylvia could not but be aware that he was extremely angry, and she herself felt wretchedly uncomfortable.

What if Anna Wolsky were all right after all?
Would she not blame her for having made such a fuss?
"Everything is quite _en regle_," M.Malfait said smoothly when the purport of their presence was explained to him in a few curt words by the Commissioner of Police.
"You see, Monsieur le Commissaire, it is quite simple.

The lady left us a letter explaining why she was obliged to go away.

I do not know why Madame"-- he turned to Sylvia--"thought it necessary to go to you?
We have been perfectly open about the whole matter.

We are respectable people, and have absolutely nothing to hide.