Any feeling of guilt Sylvia may have experienced by reason of her enforced connivance with Mrs.Owen for the expenditure of her money was mitigated by her belief that the Bassetts were quite beyond the need of their aunt's million, the figure at which Mrs.Owen's fortune was commonly appraised.
She was thinking of this when a few blocks from Mrs.Owen's she met Morton Bassett.

The electric lamp overhead was just sputtering into light as he moved toward her out of an intersecting street.

His folded umbrella was thrust awkwardly under his arm, and he walked slowly with bent head.

The hissing of the lamp caused him to lift his eyes.

Sylvia paused an instant, and he raised his hat as he recognized her.
"Good evening, Miss Garrison! I've just been out for a walk.