ABSTRACT
Margaret Deane, the heroine, is a fine study of charac· ter. Gifted with a strong imagination, she is by nature an idealist and hero-worshipper, and even in her childhood knows little of the shallow happiness of more common-place natures. Whilst suffering from the petty trials of an uncongenial home she comes across Barnabas, the low-born preacher, whose strong personality and devotion to his cause inspire her with enthusiasm for an altruistic life. Without counting the cost she follows him as his wife. The story of Margaret's trials and difficulties when endeavouring to adapt herself to an environment antagonistic to her natural refinement and previous life, is admirably told. The graphic picture of every-day existence amongst the labouring classes, the varied types of character which it develops, the sacrifices it entails, and the real nobility of mind sometimes evolved form the strongest section of the book, and are all skilfully portrayed, realistic, yet touched with the imagination of genius. Miss Montresor's book recalls the work of George Eliot, but without a trace of imitation. Barnabas is a strong man by nature or inheritance, but faith, often unreasoning, yet always sure, is the secret of the success of his mission. Margaret soon doubts if she
L July 15th, 1895. has done right in following" the call"; she has sown in error and is reaping in tears. To her husband it suffices to believe that "naught's a mistake that's right," this is his creed, and his the spirit" that wins through anything; it is the sure people' who do." Margaret begins to love the man she has married when she first feels that he needs her help and that his love gives her power to help him, not to do, but to bear, but both must "win through" much suffering before she could· say in the simple imagery of the class she has adopted, "Yes, you have found me." Barnabas and Margaret stand in the foreground, yet each minor character is a study from life. The heroine's father, the handsome, careless, well-meaning man of the world, who lives for the moment, accepts .every gift of love and friendship, giving nothing in return save the charm of his personality, is subtly drawn. His clever sister, "Aunt Russelthorpe," whose jealousy is rat}ler exaggerated though perhaps flossible, and Mr. Sauls, Margaret's lover, whilst inspirmg dislike by his vulgarity and self-assertion, claims sympathy when he foregoes his revenge and love conquors hate. The authoress has great descriptive power which she does not abuse, but shows delicate appreciation of nature's moods. Sometimes a mere suggestion brings her into harmony with human life and throws light on its complexities.
