Part 14 (1/2)
Teleki advanced toward the Emir with an earnest, dignified expression, looked him fixedly in the eye, and said firmly:
”Your lord is indeed the ruler of Tartary, and my lord the Prince of Transylvania, and his Majesty, the Sultan is one lord of us all. Know then that his Majesty the Sultan did not make your lord Khan of Tartary to dwell at Vienna, nor did he set Michael Apafi on the throne of Transylvania to support your lord. Go back to your land and do not come here any more to wonder that a town burned down by you one year is not built up the next. We will take care that the houses are rebuilt and also that the bastions are made high enough to keep you off. If you have any desire to pay us a visit in Klausenburg we will take care that you do not have your trouble for nothing, and shall know how to greet you from afar with our good cannon.”
The Emir fumed with rage; his eyes were bloodshot, his hand felt for his dagger and he stammered out:
”If a slave should make such a speech in the presence of my lord he would have his head cut off at once.”
Apafi now touched Teleki on the shoulder and said:
”Good, Teleki! you spoke like a man.”
The Emir turned on his heel and hurried out of the room, shaking his fist.
This scene put Apafi into a good humor, especially toward Teleki. The minister read this in the Prince's face and took advantage of it at once. Taking one of the bystanders by the hand he brought him up to Apafi and introduced him in these words:
”My future son-in law, your Excellency.”
An introduction under any other t.i.tle would probably have been evaded by Apafi, but in this form it was impossible not to accept it. He found himself compelled to look at the young man. He was a fine-looking, slender youth and had no trace of a beard. With his feminine features the only sign of the man was his independent bearing. Apafi was pleased with him.
”What is the name of your son-in-law?” he asked Teleki.
The latter answered with a peculiar smile:
”Emerich Tokoli, son of Stephen Tokoli.”
At mention of this name Apafi grew serious and said:
”Your father was a good friend of mine.” But he did not offer him his hand.
”I know that,” replied the young man, ”and for that reason I sought your Highness.”
”If only he had not been such a disturber of the peace. It is well that you have not followed his counsel. I remember well the contest between the defeated and half-crazed David Zolyomi. Both had married daughters of Bethlen, who had received as dowry in common the castle of Bajda-Hunyad; one had one-half, and one the other; after the two men had taken counsel together they gathered their servants in their respective castle-yards, began battle and shot at each other from the opposite windows; both had a great love for war. Your father was in battle just before his death. In the very hour of death he needed the thunder of cannon and the tumult of the siege. It is well that you are not like him. You look gentle.”
”That is praise undeserved,” said Tokoli, proudly. ”I too was in the stormed castle and defended it until my father fell.”
Apafi heard this with displeasure. However he wished to show interest in the youth and so after a pause he asked:
”And how did you happen to save yourself?”
At that Emerich turned red and did not answer at once.
Teleki told the truth as if excusing the youthful fire of the young man.
”He is so young that in woman's clothes he easily escaped the notice of the besiegers.”
This amusing explanation put Apafi in good humor again. He stroked the bright red cheeks of the boy and motioned to Teleki to introduce the rest of the men. They were all of them Hungarian fugitives. The Prince exerted himself to meet them kindly. Just then an official entered and announced,
”His Excellency, the amba.s.sador of France wishes to be admitted.”
Evident confusion came over Apafi. He drew Teleki to him and whispered in his ear,