"Certainly," said Mr. Mundel, "she is a very illustrious lady, I presume?"
"Very illustrious indeed, but it must be a condition of this transaction, if you at all enter into it, that you are not to inquire precisely who she is, nor are you to inquire precisely who I am."
"It's not my usual way of conducting business, but if everything else be satisfactory, I shall not cavil at that."
"Very good; by everything else being satisfactory, I presume you mean the security offered?"
"Why, yes, that is of great importance, my lord."
"I informed the illustrious lady, that, as the affair was to be wrapped up in something of a mystery, the security must be extremely ample."
"That's a very proper view to take of the matter, my lord. I wonder," thought John Mundel, "if he is a duke; I'll call him 'your grace' next time, and see if he objects to it."
"Therefore," continued Sweeney Todd, "the illustrious lady placed in my hands security to a third greater amount than she required."
"Certainly, certainly, a very proper arrangement, your grace; may I ask the nature of the proffered security?"
"Jewels."