I was in Italy when this book was first published. A year later (1912) I visited London, and I found that most of my friends and acquaintances spoke to me of Zu-like-a -- a name which I hardly recognised and thoroughly disapproved. I had always thought of the lady as Zu-leek-a. Surely it was thus that Joseph thought of his Wife, and Selim of his Bride?
And I do hope that it is thus that any reader of these pages will think of Miss Dobson.
M.B.
Rapallo, 1922.
ILLI ALMAE MATRI
