It wasn't for her to name names, but a certain young man had gone far, very far.

Why, they could bring an action against him, only they'd scorn to make public their poor child's feelings.

Well, well, he might lead another bride, a certain designer, to the altar, but there would be no luck nor happiness for either of them, that Mrs.Bell would say.
It was in this manner that the good lady spread the report which she desired through the gossiping little town.

Rapidly did the little piece of gossip swell and magnify.

It even travelled into the country, and so huge did its dimensions grow there, that it not only killed Matty, but buried her, and placed a beautiful tablet in white marble over her grave, erected by the repentant Captain Bertram and the remorseful Beatrice Meadowsweet.
Meantime the dying martyr had a very dull time in her bed.