Page:Ayesha, the return of She (IA cu31924013476175).pdf/13

 Dedication

,

The appointed years—alas! how many of them—are gone by, leaving Ayesha lovely and loving and ourselves alive. As it was promised in the Caves of Kôr She has returned again.

To you therefore who accepted the first, I offer this further history of one of the various incarnations of that Immortal.

My hope is that after you have read her record, notwithstanding her subtleties and sins and the shortcomings of her chronicler (no easy office!) you may continue to wear your chain of loyalty to our lady Ayesha. Such, I confess, is still the fate of your old friend

H. RIDER HAGGARD.

, 1905.