So, as I said, Puddock bowed grandly and sublimely to Nutter, and then magnificently to the company, and made his exit.
There was a sort of a stun and a lull for several seconds.

Something very decisive and serious had occurred.

One or two countenances wore that stern and mysterious smile, which implies no hilarity, but a kind of reaction in presence of the astounding and the slightly horrible.
There was a silence; the gentlemen kept their attitudes too, for some moments, and all eyes were directed toward the door.

Then some turned to Charles Nutter, and then the momentary spell dissolved itself..