I had no intention of delivering my letter at the present moment, nor have I. But strolling on to the Bank to kill time, and having the good fortune to observe at the window […] a lady of a very superior and agreeable appearance, I considered that I could not do better than take the liberty of asking that lady where Mr. Bounderby the Banker does live.

Al can't take sun shots in the fog to check their location, so David adjusts the propellers to climbing pitch and opens the throttles to maximum boost, easing the control column back.

Extenuation, by which the Crime, that seemed great, is made lesse.

The breakfast buffet opens at five o'clock (= The breakfast buffet opens at 5:00 a.m.).