SOURCE: Introduction to Scottish Short Stories, 1800-1900, edited by Douglas Gifford, Calder & Boyars, 1971, pp. 12-13.

In the following excerpt, Gifford gives a brief analysis of "The Library Window. "

Margaret Oliphant's "The Library Window" is a deceptively slight story. At first it seems close to James's Turn of the Screw in method; but it becomes even more disturbing and demoniac on reflection, and its links are rather with the ambiguity of Wandering Willie's Tale or Hogg's frequent tales with dual interpretations.

On one level, it is almost a modern version of the good fairy, bad fairy tales; with Aunt Mary set against Lady Carnbee. There is an implication that Lady Carnbee, while ironically protesting her youthful virtue, is that evil woman who has caused the death of the young man who now haunts the library. And Lady Carnbee is frequently alluded to by the girl as a witch; she...