Self-Control: A Novel (version 2)

Self-Control: A Novel, written by Mary Brunton and published in 1811, follows the story of Laura Montreville, a religious girl raised in Scotland. Laura faces the advances of Colonel Hargrave, a libertine who proposes marriage, which she initially declines, hoping for his reform. The narrative explores themes of virtue and temptation as Laura endures hardship, illness, and humiliation while Hargrave reveals his true character. This novel is notable for its early exploration of moral dilemmas and the struggles of women in the 19th century.