Miss Allonby was born at Bankside Farm, Cark-in-Cartmel, North Lancashire, on December 1st 1875. Her mother died when she was only four years of age, and when she was thirteen she lost her father. She felt his death very keenly, and it made a lasting impression upon her. When she was seven the family moved to Liverpool, and she was educated at St Saviour’s, Everton, at Grove Street College for Girls, and finally at Whitelands College, Chelsea. On leaving college she became mistress of the school at Bishopsbourne, Kent, where she remained for three years. Then she took charge of the school at Bishop’s Fonthill, Salisbury, and afterwards went to Lancaster as head of St Anne’s School, and was there till her untimely and tragic death, a period of four years and a half. When she took charge of the Lancaster School it had a none too enviable reputation either as regards behaviour nor education. By sheer strength of will, by the power of loving-kindness, she made a wonderful change in two years. The children worshipped her, became well-behaved, obedient and attentive to their lessons. The school again earned its grants and gained good reports. One of the Inspectors in a report said that her influence had brought the school “from Darkness into Light.” PREFATORY The following words were prefixed to the MS. by the authoress:— DEDICATED TO GOD With all the reverence and fear of 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, What _does_ he mean? but not in despair, What _can_ he 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. PART I. EARTH THE FULFILMENT CHAPTER I