Hester, A Story of Contemporary Life

Margaret Oliphant was a 19th century author best known for writing supernatural fiction, and one of her works that has recently seen a revival of interest is Hester, which she wrote in the 1880s. "A springy motion in her gait, A rising step, did indicate Of pride and joy no common rate That flush'd her spirit: I know not by what name beside I shall it call: if 'twas not pride, It was a joy to that allied She did inherit. ***** She was trained in Nature's school, Nature had blest her. A waking eye, a prying mind, A heart that stirs, is hard to bind: A hawk's keen sight ye cannot blind, Ye could not Hester." CHARLES LAMB.