Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/259

Rh that M. Max de Salligny, a young Philhellene of the greatest promise'—one can well say that in a paper—'of the greatest promise, has just perished, a victim to his enthusiasm for the sacred cause of religion and liberty. The ferocious Kourschid Pacha has carried his forgetfulness of the proprieties to the extent of having him beheaded.' That is really the worst part of me in everybody's opinion, is it not, madam?" And he broke into a forced laugh.

"Are you talking seriously. Max? You would go to Greece?"

"Very seriously, madam, only I shall strive to have my obituary notice appear at the latest possible date."

"What would you do in Greece? The Greeks are not lacking for soldiers. You would make an excellent soldier, I am sure; but"

"A superb grenadier of five feet six!" he exclaimed, raising himself upon his feet; "the Greeks would be very hard to please if they did not wish for a recruit like this. Joking aside, madam," he added, dropping into an armchair, "it is, I believe, the best thing for me to do. I can not stay in Paris"—he pronounced these words with a certain degree of violence—"here I am unhappy, here I should do a hundred foolish things—I have not the strength to resist— But