PREFATORY
The following words were prefixed to the MS. by the authoress:—
DEDICATEDTOGODWith all the reverence and fearof which the human heart is capable.
As to the interpretation of the allegorical persons and incidents which figure mainly in the second and third parts of the book, we may remember Mr Augustine Birrell’s excellent phrases on Browning:—“Lucidity is not simplicity. A lucid poem is not necessarily an easy one. A great poet may tax our brain, but he ought not to puzzle our wits. We may often have to ask in humility, Whatdoeshe mean? but not in despair, Whatcanhe mean?” This holds good of writers in prose as well as in verse: and Miss Allonby’s full meaning is scarce likely to be revealed on a first perusal.