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The cancelled will. Dupuy, Eliza A. (1814–1881).
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THE CANCELLED WILL.

BY

MISS ELIZA A. DUPUY.

AUTHOR OF "WHY DID HE MARRY HER," "HOW HE DID IT," "MICHAEL RUDOLPH," "WHO SHALL BE VICTOR?" "THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER," ETC., ETC. "What art thou, life? I am a treasure lent, By many dead, that many living heed not; I am the scroll that bears a message, sent By many dead—which many living read not."

PHILADELPHIA: T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS; 306 CHESTNUT STREET.

page: Advertisement -19[View Page Advertisement -19]

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

MISS ELIZA A. DUPUY'S WORKS.

Each Work is complete in one large duodecimo volume.

  • WHO SHALL BE VICTOR? Sequel to "The Cancelled Will."
  • THE CANCELLED WILL.
  • HOW HE DID IT.
  • WHY DID HE MARRY HER?
  • THE PLANTER'S DAUGHTER.
  • MICHAEL RUDOLPH.

Price of each, $1.75 in Cloth; or $1.50 in Paper Cover.

Above books are for sale by all Booksellers. Copies of any or all of the above books will be sent to any one, to any place, postage pre-paid, on receipt of their price by the Publishers,

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,

306 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.

THE career of Nina Gordon, as developed in the following pages, is founded on facts known to many persons now living; but all who could have been wounded by the use of the materials at the Author's command have passed away.

——

If "THE CANCELLED WILL" had claimed its origin in England, it would at once achieve a wide popularity, for it is certainly entitled to rank with the productions of Wilkie Collins, and the best of Miss Braddon's. It is quite as well written as the stories of either of these authors, and has an interest for Americans which should be superior to that felt for any foreign book, for it is a picture of American life in one of its marked phases: that of a young and ambitious girl left to follow the devious windings of life, with no guide but a strong will, and the determination to follow out her own ideal of the pursuit of prosperity and happiness.

The story is vividly and powerfully told. The scene in which the father reveals himself to the child he believes to be dying, is intensely dramatic. The subsequent recovery of Nina, and the use she makes of the revelation to bring retribution upon the unhappy Hastings, is an awful lesson to those who have not yet learned that the "way of the transgressor is hard."

In striking contrast with this fair Nemesis is the lovely Opal, her half-sister, who is indeed a charming creation.

There are many characters, all well sustained, and many scenes of dramatic interest. If this book is sensational, it is of the highest order of that school, for it is pure in all its teachings.

——

"THE CANCELLED WILL" is a story of American life, tracing the career of a young girl, who is left in ignorance of her family, page: 20-21 (Table of Contents) [View Page 20-21 (Table of Contents) ] though carefully prepared to fight the battle of life, when the time comes in which she comprehends that on her own efforts must depend the future, she pants to make a brilliant success.

The story shows what means are used to this end, what experiences she passes through: how strangely her parentage is revealed to her, and the use she makes of that revelation.

There are many characters, all well sustained, who are thrown into relations toward each other of the most thrilling character; and few readers will be found willing to skip a page of this charming delineation of home life.

There is sensation enough to keep the attention of the reader enchained; but the pictures of life are true, and pure, and probability is never sacrificed for effect. No mother need hesitate to place any of Miss Dupuy's novels in the hands of her daughters, for there is not a line, or a sentiment to be found in any story of hers that can lower the ideal of true womanhood, or soil the purity of a young girl's mind.

The career of Nina Gordon may be a warning to many who, like her, rank success as the first good in life; but the sequel shows how rarely it is attained through the means used by this fair embodiment of self-will. The saintly Inez, the sweet and womanly Opal Hastings, are charming contrasts to the girl who works such woe to both of them; followed, however, by peace to one, and the sunshine of happiness to the other.

——

Sydney Smith says a novel "is only meant to please; it must do that, or it does nothing." Judged by that test, "THE CANCELLED WILL" deserves a high place, for it absorbs the interest of the reader from the first page to the last. In imaginative power, management of plot, and delineation of the various passions and interests which move its characters, this novel will prove to be a brilliant success.

CONTENTS.

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