CHAPTER LVIII.
Indisposition--A Resolution--Poor Equivalents--The Piece of Gold--Flashing Eyes--How Beautiful!--Bon Jour, Monsieur.
I had long ago determined to leave London as soon as the means should be in my power, and, now that they were, I determined to leave the Great City; yet I felt some reluctance to go.

I would fain have pursued the career of original authorship which had just opened itself to me, and have written other tales of adventure.

The bookseller had given me encouragement enough to do so; he had assured me that he should be always happy to deal with me for an article (that was the word) similar to the one I had brought him, provided my terms were moderate; and the bookseller's wife, by her complimentary language, had given me yet more encouragement.

But for some months past I had been far from well, and my original indisposition, brought on partly by the peculiar atmosphere of the Big City, partly by anxiety of mind, had been much increased by the exertions which I had been compelled to make during the last few days.

I felt that, were I to remain where I was, I should die, or become a confirmed valetudinarian.