It sounded impressive, albeit not entirely useful. If a woman had to hold a position of employment, it was better to have a useless one than one where she was needed immensely. It would be far too difficult for her to pull herself away from it in favor of her responsibilities at home --- such as household management and children minding, should she become a wife. Unless of course she already was one, though the silently judgy woman next to her and the lack of a ring on her left hand said otherwise.

He bowed his head chivalrously, "It is an incredible pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Lockhart." When he straightened, he was smiling charmingly, "I don't believe that I have ever met a research decoder. Why, I wish I had a quill just now. I'd ask for your signature on this napkin to carry about with me as proof that I hadn't made you up."