William Harrison Ainsworth — Old Court a Novel

London, Chapman and Hall, 1867. First edition. Cloth. A complete three volume set of this scarce first edition of 'Old Court' by William Harrison Ainsworth. William Harrison Ainsworth (4 February 1805 – 3 January 1882) was an English historical novelist born in Manchester. Ainsworth briefly tried the publishing business, but soon gave it up and devoted himself to journalism and literature. His first success as a writer came with Rookwood in 1834, which features Dick Turpin as its leading character. A stream of 39 novels followed, the last of which appeared in 1881. With half-titles. The story follows the Chetwynd family. Sir Hugh, the oldest is competing with his younger brother Clarence for the affection of Amice. Having sworn never to speak to each other again, Sir Hugh follows Clarence to Kent with a proposition. However, at their secret meeting up by the famous grave, Clarence is murdered. After his brother"s death, Sir Hugh discovers some distressing news – Amice was in fact Clarence"s wife, and she is with child. He offers her everything, but she flees. (KM) Complete in three volumes. In brown cloth bindings. Externally sound, though with some bumping and rubbing. Internally, binding strained. Blindstamp of W. H. Smith to endpapers. Pages are bright, though with some patches of foxing to the endpapers. Good . Ill.: None. Good .