"Yes; what would happen then?" said the Hodja, or schoolmaster, a friend of the Pacha, and who had accompanied him during his visit.
"Europe would probably swallow up both Turkey and Russia!"
"You do not really think so," said the Pacha.
"We have a great many troops," said the Hodja.
"Yes; but not many officers."
"He is right," said the Pacha sadly; "our officers have not much brain, but we have one chance," he added.
"What is it?"
"If the Circassians were to rise, the Russians would have so much on their hands that they would be unable to advance."
"Is it likely that there will be a rising?"
"There is sure to be one," said the Pacha; "but it is doubtful whether it will be general, or confined to some districts;" and shaking hands with me he left the room with his companion.