E-text prepared by Delphine Lettau, Paula Franzini, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) DISCIPLINE by MARY BRUNTON CONTENTS Chapter I 1 Chapter II 11 Chapter III 19 Chapter IV 32 Chapter V 41 Chapter VI 51 Chapter VII 61 Chapter VIII 73 Chapter IX 83 Chapter X 101 Chapter XI 114 Chapter XII 124 Chapter XIII 143 Chapter XIV 156 Chapter XV 165 Chapter XVI 178 Chapter XVII 193 Chapter XVIII 210 Chapter XIX 217 Chapter XX 231 Chapter XXI 244 Chapter XXII 257 Chapter XXIII 269 Chapter XXIV 286 Chapter XXV 301 Chapter XXVI 313 Chapter XXVII 327 Chapter XXVIII 340 Chapter XXIX 351 Chapter XXX 367 CHAPTER I _--I was wayward, bold, and wild; A self-willed imp; a grandame's child; But, half a plague and half a jest, Was still endured, beloved, carest._ Walter Scott I have heard it remarked, that he who writes his own history ought to possess Irish humour, Scotch prudence, and English sincerity;--the first, that his work may be read; the second that it may be read without injury to himself; the third, that the perusal of it may be profitable to others. I might, perhaps, with truth declare, that I possess only the last of these qualifications. But, besides that my readers will probably take the liberty of estimating for themselves my merits as a narrator, I suspect, that professions of humility may possibly deceive the professor himself; and that, while I am honestly confessing my disqualifications, I may be secretly indemnifying my pride, by glorying in the candour of my confession. Any expression of self-abasement might, indeed, appear peculiarly misplaced as a preface to whole volumes of egotism; the world being generally uncharitable enough to believe, that vanity may somewhat influence him who chooses himself for his theme. Nor can I be certain that this charge is wholly inapplicable to me; since it is notorious to common observation, that, rather than forego their darling subject, the vain will expatiate even on their errors. A better motive, however, mingles with those which impel me to relate my story. It is no unworthy feeling which leads such as are indebted beyond return, to tell of the benefits they have received; or which prompts one who has escaped from eminent peril, to warn others of the danger of their way.