Rookwood, Vol. 1 of 2: A Romance (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Rookwood. Val than its predecessor. The pruning knife has been used with no sparing hand; but though much has been removed, much I am aware, still remains that was held to be objectionable in the original construction of the story, but which I have found it impossible to obviate. It would have been a less dificult task to re-write the book than partially to remodel it; just as it is easier to build a new house than to repair an old one. I have contented myself with takin down a useless wing or so © - with stopping up a window here an there, that looked upon nothing © - and having brushed up my tarnished furniture and put my crazy structure somewhat in order, I solicit the reader, with the best grace I can, to do me the favour to ramble through it, in my company. I can show him an antique gallery of portraits © - of undoubted originals, some scraps it may be of firded arms, and a sketch or two of characters nut so far remoted from his own time. But he must so far preserve his good breeding, as not to ask me any questions which I may not be prepared to answer; for I am one of those persons who like to have all the talk to themselves -and but seldom condescend to explain anything satisfactorily, pe'cially when interrupted. The reader must therefore content him wlfwith being as credulous as he can contrive to be, and take all for....