see p. 148
THE
DAYS OF BRUCE;
A Story
FROM
SCOTTISH HISTORY.
BY
GRACE AGUILAR,
AUTHOR OF "HOME INFLUENCE," "THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE,"
"WOMAN'S FRIENDSHIP," "THE VALE OF CEDARS"
ETC. ETC.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
NEW YORK:
D. APPLETON & CO., 90, 92 & 94 GRAND ST.
1871.
PREFACE.
As these pages have passed through the press, mingled feelings of painand pleasure have actuated my heart. Who shall speak the regret thatshe, to whom its composition was a work of love, cannot participate inthe joy which its publication would have occasioned—who shall tell ofthat anxious pleasure which I feel in witnessing the success of each andall the efforts of her pen?
The Days of Bruce must be considered as an endeavor to placebefore the reader an interesting narrative of a period of history, initself a romance, and one perhaps as delightful as could well have beenselected. In combination with the story of Scotland's brave deliverer,it must be viewed as an illustration of female character, anddescriptive of much that its Author considered excellent in woman. Inthe high minded Isabella of Buchan is traced the resignation of a heartwounded in its best affections, yet trustful midst accumulated misery.In Isoline may be seen the self-inflicted unhappiness of a tooconfident and self reliant nature; while in Agnes is delineated theoverwhelming of a mind too much akin to heaven in purity and innocenceto battle with the stern and bitter sorrows with which her life isstrewn.
How far the merits of this work may be perceived becomes not me tojudge; I only know and feel that on me has devolved the endearing taskof publishing the writings of my lamented child—that I am fulfillingthe desire of her life.
May, 1852.[Pg 7]