Final answer:
The situational irony arises from the unexpected positive consequence of the schoolmaster's rejection by the heiress, revealing a paradox in the character's fortune.
Step-by-step explanation:
One example of situational irony from the story is the expectation that a country schoolmaster being refused by a Dutch heiress would lead to a negative outcome, yet it is presented as a certain step to high preferment in the state. This twist reveals the irony as the character's misfortune paradoxically becomes the reason for an unexpected opportunity for advancement. Furthermore, the story-teller's own skepticism about the truth of the story amplifies the irony, as it undercuts the narrative's reliability and potentially the lesson it intends to impart.