With true ingratitude you see me pitch upon your exception; but it
is easier to defend oneself gracefully than to acknowledge praise.
I am truly glad that you should like my books; for I think I see
from what you write that you are a reader worth convincing. Your
name, if I have properly deciphered it, suggests that you may be
also something of my countrywoman; for it is hard to see where
Monroe came from, if not from Scotland. I seem to have here a
double claim on your good nature: being myself pure Scotch and
having appreciated your letter, make up two undeniable merits
which, perhaps, if it should be quite without trouble, you might
reward with your photograph. - Yours truly,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.



Letter: TO MISS MONROE



[SKERRYVORE, BOURNEMOUTH, JUNE 1886.]

MY DEAR MISS MONROE, - I am ill in bed and stupid, incoherently
stupid; yet I have to answer your letter, and if the answer is
incomprehensible you must forgive me. You say my letter caused you
pleasure; I am sure, as it fell out, not near so much as yours has
brought to me. The interest taken in an author is fragile: his
next book, or your next year of culture, might see the interest
frosted or outgrown; and himself, in spite of all, you might