One day, however, he wrote a letter to an imaginary lady in the county-town, asking her to be his, and going into full particulars about his income, his age, and his prospects.

A male friend in the secret, at the other end, was to reply, in a lady's handwriting, accepting him, and also giving personal particulars.

The first letter was written; and an answer arrived in due course--two days, the schoolmaster said, after date.

No other person knew of this scheme for the undoing of the postmistress, yet in a very short time the schoolmaster's coming marriage was the talk of Thrums.

Everybody became suddenly aware of the lady's name, of her abode, and of the sum of money she was to bring her husband.