Showing results by author "Mary Brunton" in All Categories

The author: "This little tale was begun at first merely for my own amusement. It is published that I may reconcile my conscience to the time which it has employed, by making it in some degree useful. Let not the term so implied provoke a smile! If my book is read, its uses to the author are obvious. Nor is a work of fiction necessarily unprofitable to the readers." Jane Austen comments about this novel in a letter to her sister: “I am looking over Self Control again, & my opinion is confirmed of its’ being an excellently-meant, elegantly-written Work…” - Summary by Author and Jane ...

Laura Montreville is a well-born and religious girl, brought up in Scotland by her widowed father. She is pursued by Colonel Hargrave, a libertine, who makes an offer of marriage which Laura, not knowing any better, declines at first, saying she will marry him in two years time if he reforms his wicked ways. The book follows the fortunes of Laura, who suffers impoverishment, illness and humiliation, all the while tormented by Hargrave who has no intention of waiting the stipulated two years and who eventually shows himself in his true colours. - (Summary by Simon Evers)

In Self-Control, we follow the poignant journey of Laura Montreville, a well-bred and devout young woman raised in the picturesque landscapes of Scotland by her widowed father. When the charming yet notorious Colonel Hargrave proposes marriage, Laura, naive to his true nature, initially refuses, offering him two years to mend his wicked ways. The novel intricately weaves Lauras struggles with poverty, illness, and humiliation, all while being relentlessly pursued by Hargrave, who is unwilling to wait and soon reveals his true colors. Join Laura as she navigates the trials of love, faith, and ...