"He was a stranger to me to within five minutes back." "You must excuse my caution, young sir," John Haliford said, after another minute's reflection; "but it is the custom of us London tradesmen with those gentlemen who may honour us with their custom, and whom we have not the honour of knowing, to require payment, or at least a portion of payment, at the time of giving the order, and the rest at the time of delivery of the goods.

In your case, sir, I am sure, an unnecessary piece of caution, but a rule from which I never venture to go." "That is only fair and right," Rupert said.

"I will pay half now, and the other half when the garments are completed; or if it please you, will pay the whole in advance." "By no means, by no means," the tailor said with alacrity; "one third in advance is my rule, sir.

And now, sir, what colour and material do you affect ?" "As sober both in hue and in material as may be," Rupert said, "and yet sufficiently in the fashion for me to wear in calling upon a nobleman of the court." "Pardon me," the tailor said, "but perhaps you would condescend to take me into your confidence.

There are noblemen, and noblemen.