Her use of old-fashioned language lends an air of 'formality' to her writing.
They haven't approved the loan yet, but that's just a mere/pure 'formality'.
He failed to appreciate the 'formality' of the occasion.
(..) DOOR SLAMS You've been a while. Yeah, well, you know how it is. Custody sergeants don't really like to be hurried, do they? Just formalities. Fingerprints, charge sheet, and I've got to be in magistrates' court on Tuesday. What? Me, Sherlock! In court, on Tuesday! They're giving me an ASBO! (..)2010 TvShow: Sherlock Title: The Blind Banker Season: 1 Episode 2