The String of Pearls (1850), p. 257

presented to Mrs. Lovett, by Todd, as proofs of the thriving business he was
carrying on? Sir Richard put two of the watches in his pocket.
"These may be identified," he said. "And now, if I can but find the door
by which she descends to the oven below, I—"
At this moment he was startled by a sudden accession of light in the room.
His first idea, and a natural enough one too, was, that the little wax light was

SWEENEY TODD BUTCHERS THE TURNKEY.
{Figure}

playing some vagaries incidental to all lights, and he turned rapidly from the
cupboard to look at it. What was his astonishment to see the door that led to
the upper part of the house open, and Mrs. Lovett, partially undressed, standing
upon the threshold with a chamber-candlestick in her hand in which was a rush-light, the dim and dubious rays from which had produced the extra illumination that had first startled Sir Richard Blunt. No wonder that, with amazement upon