Norrell isn't the only one with hopes of eventually being recognised by the Night Council. Of course, for Abigail Widdowson, it's far more difficult. She is patient, though, and there are plenty of small opportunities, which she is keen on exploiting. The representatives won't speak with her, not really, but their assistants and other minor officials were willing to accept a free lunch with no strings attached. Not that there was ever such a thing. But the strings weren't obvious. Just gestures of good will.

When someone nearly runs into her after she sees a young aide out of a cab and into the building, she does her best to just smile, ready to wave it off. Then, she sees him.

"Ah." The apology she'd offer for politeness's sake dies on her lips. Instead, she just says, "Sir."