with regard to
reforms in Macedonia. .. . I said that another point seemed
disquieting to me, viz. the way in which the preliminary pourparlers
were conducted between London and St. Petersburg to the exclusion of
Austria-Hungary, whose interests were of the most importance in
Balkan affairs."

That Krai spied my movements is perhaps under these circumstances
not surprising, more especially as Lobatcheff, who hated him, called
out derisively to him at a friendly gathering of all the Consuls:
"Have not you found out what the English-woman is here for yet?"
which made matters worse.

The political tension was felt even in the remote corners of the
Albanian mountains. Tribesmen vaguely expected war. An Austrian
advance in the Sanjak was rumoured.

I was up in the mountains when the astounding news arrived that
there had been a Turkish revolution. It was incredible. I hastened
to Scutari. Not one Consulate as yet had any information, except
that a Constitution had been proclaimed. Scutari was wildly excited.
The foreign representatives were sceptical and contemptuous. The
thing was impossible. Not till Sunday, August 2nd, did the official
proclamations and rejoicing begin. Then all North Albania was wild
with joy. Moslem and Christian united. It was believed that Europe
had intervened, and the Turk would rule no more. The mountain men
swarmed down in their best, were feasted by the town, shouted "Long
live Constituzi," and fired their rifles till not a cartridge was
left in the town. Yet with over two thousand armed men in the town
for two days and nights, and no police force to cope with an
outbreak, not a single disorder occurred. Every one was far too
happy to do wrong, and enjoyed themselves wholeheartedly. Even the
French Consul and Lobatcheff, who did not conceal their
anti-Albanian feelings, said: "Mon Dieu! what a people this would be
if they had a just ruler!"

The Mirdites were cautious. Their Abbot, Premi Dochi, waited to see
which way the wind blew before committing his flock. In reply to the
newly-appointed Vali, who asked why the Mirdites did not come to
take the oath of fealty, he replied that when he was allowed to
return from exile to Mirdita, he promised that he would concern
himself solely with spiritual affairs, and was therefore powerless;
that the only head the Mirdites recognized was Prenk Bib Doda, their
chief, who was unfortunately in exile still at Constantinople. He
alone could put matters r