I write this from bed, snow pouring without, and no circumstance of
pleasure except your letter. That, however, counts for much. I am
glad you liked the doggerel: I have already had a liberal cheque,
over which I licked my fingers with a sound conscience. I had not
meant to make money by these stumbling feet, but if it comes, it is
only too welcome in my handsome but impecunious house.

Let me know soon what is to be expected - as far as it does not
hang by that inconstant quantity, my want of health. Remember me
to Madam with the best thanks and wishes; and believe me your
friend,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.



Letter: TO MRS. FLEEMING JENKIN



[SKERRYVORE, BOURNEMOUTH, APRIL 1886.]

MY DEAR MRS. JENKIN, - I try to tell myself it is good nature, but
I know it is vanity that makes me write.

I have drafted the first part of Chapter VI., Fleeming and his
friends, his influence on me, his views on religion and literature,
his part at the Savile; it should boil down to about ten pages, and
I really do think it admirably good. It has so much evoked
Fleeming for myself that I found my conscience stirred just as it