And yet she was unsparing to herself, and a rigid censor of her own motive and conduct. This she could not fail to be, because she believed in her vocation as from God. She never doubted that her work had been appointed for her; she never wavered in her belief that strength given by God, supported her. She knew that she was the servant of God, sent by Him to minister to others. This knowledge was joy; but it made her inexorable and inflexible towards herself.

There are but few incidents in her peaceful life. It was torn by no doubt, distracted by no apprehensions, it reached none of the heights of human happiness, and sounded none of the depths of despair. If there were unfulfilled hopes, aspirations, affections, they left no bitterness, no sense of disappointment. A beautiful life and helpful; for who need despair where she overcame and gained so great a victory?

The materials for recording the history of Elizabeth Gilbert are scanty, but all that were possessed by her sisters and friends have been placed at my disposal. My love for her, and our long friendship, have enabled me, I hope, to interpret them aright.

FRANCES MARTIN.

October 1887.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE
Childhood[1]
CHAPTER II
In the Dark[14]
CHAPTER III
Little Blossom[27]
CHAPTER IV
What the Prophetess Foresaw[39]
CHAPTER V
The Palace Garden[51]
CHAPTER VI
A Sense of Loss[70]
CHAPTER VII
The Blind Manager[82]
CHAPTER VIII
Royal Bounty[94]
CHAPTER IX
Removing Stumbling-Blocks[110]
CHAPTER X
Trials and Temptations[129]
CHAPTER XI
Reflections and Suggestions[142]
CHAPTER XII
Her Diary[150]
CHAPTER XIII
The Fear of God and no other [158]
CHAPTER XIV
Everyday Life[175]
CHAPTER XV
Time of Trouble[192]
CHAPTER XVI
The First Loss[212]
CHAPTER XVII
How the Work went on[221]
CHAPTER XVIII
Blind Children of the Poor[238]
CHAPTER XIX
In Time of Need[249]
CHAPTER XX
The Valley of the Shadow[259]
CHAPTER XXI
Life in the Sick-Room[279]
CHAPTER XXII
Twilight[293]
CHAPTER XXIII
The End[304]