I hereby warn all of the immature, those with weak nerves and all the other commoners with narrow horizons against reading this little book.

Those mentioned above cannot be my readers.

The episodes described in this small volume are very serious and should be taken seriously.

But there is by no means any bias that steers these sketches.

They are all taken from life, modeled on it, and written with passion. I’m too honest to be biased. And I long for such an honest readership, free of any bias, as well.

But since such an enlightened circle of readers does indeed exist, I shall be allowed to write for them—or, more precisely and logically, be read by them—if I warn the others in a timely manner. This circle of readers shall be granted to read this book.

Sofia, June 1896.

Elsa Asenijeff.