The situation was complicated by the fact that the Elective Council
was at present largely held together by the old Greek Church, which
was the religion of the people, and which had had since the beginning
its destinies linked in a large degree with theirs. Thus it was
possible that if a war should break out, it might easily become--
whatever might have been its cause or beginnings--a war of creeds.
This in the Balkans must be largely one of races, the end of which no
mind could diagnose or even guess at.

I had now for some time had knowledge of the country and its people,
and had come to love them both. The nobility of Vissarion's self-
sacrifice at once appealed to me, and I felt that I, too, should like
to have a hand in the upholding of such a land and such a people.
They both deserved freedom. When Vissarion handed me the completed
deed of sale I was going to tear it up; but he somehow recognized my
intention, and forestalled it. He held up his hand arrestingly as he
said:

"I recognize your purpose, and, believe me, I honour you for it from
the very depths of my soul. But, my friend, it must not be. Our
mountaineers are proud beyond belief. Though they would allow me--
who am one of themselves, and whose fathers have been in some way
leaders and spokesmen amongst them for many centuries--to do all that
is in my power to do--and what, each and all, they would be glad to
do were the call to them--they would not accept aid from one outside
themselves. My good friend, they would resent it, and might show to
you, who wish us all so well, active hostility, which might end in
danger, or even death. That was why, my friend, I asked to put a
clause in our agreement, that I might have right to repurchase my
estate, regarding which you would fain act so generously."