I wrote to the rector of Roth, informing him that I was engaged to marry her, and asking if he would tell me (in consideration of my position) what her former relations might have been with the person named John Zebedee.
By return of post I got this reply: "SIR--Under the circumstances, I think I am bound to tell you confidentially what the friends and well-wishers of Priscilla have kept secret, for her sake.
"Zebedee was in service in this neighborhood.

I am sorry to say it, of a man who has come to such a miserable end--but his behavior to Priscilla proves him to have been a vicious and heartless wretch.

They were engaged--and, I add with indignation, he tried to seduce her under a promise of marriage.

Her virtue resisted him, and he pretended to be ashamed of himself.

The banns were published in my church.