CHAPTER XV.
HERBERT MAKES A CLAIM Sylvia finished her round of visits in a state approaching insolvency.
Mrs.Kettering, with whom she stayed some time, indulged in expensive amusements, and though she would have listened with good-humor to a plea of poverty, Sylvia declined to make it.

She would not have Bland suspect the state of her affairs, and while he remained in the house she took her part in all that went on, which included card-playing for high stakes.

As it happened, she had a steady run of misfortune.
Bland sympathized with her and occasionally ventured a remonstrance, but she could see that the cheerful manner in which she faced her losses had its effect on him.
On the evening of her return, Herbert was strolling along the platform at a busy junction, in the gathering dusk, when he noticed Bland speaking to a porter.

Soon afterward.

Bland came toward him, and Herbert asked him if he were staying in the neighborhood.
"No," said Bland; "I'm passing through; only been here half an hour.
We're probably on the same errand." "I came to meet Mrs.Marston," Herbert told him.