“Dear Sir,” (it ran).“We have been instructed by our client, Miss Maud Chilvers, of theGoat and Compasses, Aldershot, to institute proceedings againstyou for Breach of Promise of Marriage. In the event of your beingdesirous to avoid the expense and publicity of litigation, we areinstructed to say that Miss Chilvers would be prepared to acceptthe sum of ten thousand pounds in settlement of her claim againstyou. We would further add that in support of her case our clienthas in her possession a number of letters written by yourself toher, all of which bear strong prima facie evidence of the allegedpromise to marry: and she will be able in addition to call aswitnesses in support of her case the Earl of Evenwood, LadyKimbuck, and Lady Eva Blyton, in whose presence, at a recentdate, you acknowledged that you had promised to marry our client.“Trusting that we hear from you in the course of post.We are, dear Sir,Yours faithfully,Harrison, Harrison, Harrison, & Harrison.”