Somerset, however, did nothing in the matter that day, but the next morning, having to call at the bank on other business, he remembered his new fancy.
It was about eleven o'clock.

The fog, though not so brown as it had been on previous days, was still dense enough to necessitate lights in the shops and offices.

When Somerset had finished his business in the outer office of the bank he went to the manager's room.

The hour being somewhat early the only persons present in that sanctuary of balances, besides the manager who welcomed him, were two gentlemen, apparently lawyers, who sat talking earnestly over a box of papers.

The manager, on learning what Somerset wanted, unlocked a door from which a flight of stone steps led to the vaults, and sent down a clerk and a porter for the safe.
Before, however, they had descended far a gentle tap came to the door, and in response to an invitation to enter a lady appeared, wrapped up in furs to her very nose.
The manager seemed to recognize her, for he went across the room in a moment, and set her a chair at the middle table, replying to some observation of hers with the words, 'O yes, certainly,' in a deferential tone.
'I should like it brought up at once,' said the lady.
Somerset, who had seated himself at a table in a somewhat obscure corner, screened by the lawyers, started at the words.