She had resolved to let her father see the arrival of this one, be the consequences what they might: the dread of losing her lover by this deed of honesty prevented her acting upon the resolve.

Five minutes before the postman's expected arrival she slipped out, and down the lane to meet him.

She met him immediately upon turning a sharp angle, which hid her from view in the direction of the vicarage.

The man smilingly handed one missive, and was going on to hand another, a circular from some tradesman.
'No,' she said; 'take that on to the house.' 'Why, miss, you are doing what your father has done for the last fortnight.' She did not comprehend.
'Why, come to this corner, and take a letter of me every morning, all writ in the same handwriting, and letting any others for him go on to the house.' And on the postman went.
No sooner had he turned the corner behind her back than she heard her father meet and address the man.

She had saved her letter by two minutes.