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i9i4] PRINCE ALEXANDER OF SERBIA 239
open their doors in a majestic and magnificent setting
that was almost unique. . . . And suddenly darkness
set in over all this beauty, a wind blew, an earthquake
which seemed slight and harmless shook the country,
and we do not even know what will still exist of all this
wealth of culture and life, when at last a new day shall
dawn on the desolation so often predicted and never
believed in.
But I hasten to leave this lugubrious contemplation,
set in the charming frame of such recent and yet
far-away memories, and to return to the brilliantly
illuminated rooms of Countess Schuvaloff. Amongst
the august personages present I met Prince Alexander
of Serbia, who had arrived in St. Petersburg a few days
before. The Prince drew me aside, and after a few
genuinely kind words, asked me the following question :
" Pray, Monsieur, will you tell me your honest opinion :
after all that has happened, can one still hope for the
renewal of friendly, or at least neighbourly, relations
between Serbia and Bulgaria? Or will the Bulgarians
for some time still remain our most irreconcilable
adversaries ? You know Bulgaria better than any one,
and that is why I am particularly anxious to know your
opinion."
I thanked the Crown Prince for his flattering trust
in me, and I told him very frankly that I thought
that relations between Serbians and Bulgarians were
radically compromised for many years; I added that
Serbia, in carrying out her policy, must not for one
instant lose sight of the fact that she had beside her an
irreconcilable foe, only existing in the hope of a fierce
revenge. " It is very sad, and the situation ought to be
gradually remedied; but it is a fact, and in politics
everything must be based on facts," I concluded.
"That is also my opinion," agreed Prince Alexander;
"here I am assured on all sides that it would be easy to
approach the Bulgarians again and come to terms with
them; but I must confess that I do not believe it, and
your opinion shows me that I am right."
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