Margaret Oliphant (1828-97) was a Scottish novelist and historical writer who usually wrote as Mrs Oliphant. Her fictional works encompass domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural. Following the publication of her first two novels in 1849 and 1851 she met with William Blackwood who invited her to contribute to Blackwood's Magazine, resulting in a connection which lasted throughout her lifetime during which she contributed well over 100 articles. After the death of her husband she was left almost entirely without resources and supported her children through her literary work, becoming a prolific and successful author, although her home life was dogged by sorrow and disappointment with all her children predeceasing her. This novel was first published in 1891 and is reprinted from the English Library edition of the following year.