The String of Pearls (1850), p. 352

"Well?"
"The time has come.
"What time?"
"For the end of our partnership—the dissolution of our agreement. I will go on no further. You can do as you please; but I am content."
"Humph!" said Todd.
"After much thought, I have come to this conclusion, Todd. Of course, let me be where I may, the secret of our road to fortune remains hidden here (she struck her breast as she spoke). All I want is my half of theproceeds, and then we part, I hope, for ever."
"Humph!" said Todd.
"And—and the sooner we can forget, if that be possible, the past, the better! it will be for us both—only tell me where you purpose going, and I will take
care to avoid you."
"Humph!"
Passion was boiling in the heart of Mrs. Lovett; and that was just what Todd wanted; for well he knew that something had gone amiss, and that as long as Mrs. Lovett could keep herself calm and reasonable, he should stand but a poor chance of finding out what it was, unless she chose, as part of her arrangement, to tell it; but if he could but rouse her passion, he should know all.
Therefore was it that he kept on replying to what she said with that cold insulting sort of "humph!"
"Man, do you hear me?"
"Humph!"
"You villain!"
"Humph!"
Mrs. Lovett took from a side-table an iron, which, in the mystery of hair-dressing, was used for some purpose, and in a cool, calm voice, she said— j
"If you do not answer me as you ought, I will throw this through your window, into the street ; and the first person who comes in, in consequence, I will ask to seize Todd, the murderer! and offer myself as evidence of his numerous atrocities—contrite evidence—myself repenting of my share in them, and relying upon the mercy of the crown, which, in recompense for my denouncing you, may graciously pardon me."
"And so it has come to this?" said Todd.
"You see and hear that it has."
It was rather a curious coincidence, that Mrs. Lovett had threatened Todd that she would awaken public attention to his shop by the same means that Sir Richard Blunt had recommended to Johanna to use in case of any emergency—namely, throwing something through the window into the street. If Mrs. Lovett had been goaded by Todd to throw the iron through a pane of his glass, the officers of Sir Richard would quickly have made their appearance to hear her denunciation of the barber. Unhappy woman! If she had but known what the future had in store for her, that act which she threatened Todd with, and which to her imagination seemed such a piece of pure desperation, would have been the most prudent thing she could have done. But it was not to be! There was a few moments silence now between them. It was broken by Todd.
"Are you mad?" he said.
"No."
"Then, what, in the name of all that is devilish, has got possession of you?"
"I have told you my determination. Give me twenty thousand pounds—you may profit by the odd sum—give me that amount, and I will go in peace. You know I am entitled to more; but there is no occasion for us to reckon closely. Give me the sum I seek, and you will see me no more.
"You ake me by surprise. Just step into the parlour, and—"
"No—no."