Book Description

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III A PRINCE BY COMPULSION A Tear had passed since Apafi's return. In the manor house at Ebesfalva all was excitement. Before one pair of horses could rest another started out on the road. The servants were sent in every direction. There seemed to be great confusion in the house, yet nobody appeared troubled. To those who asked confidentially it was whispered that the wife of Michael Apafi might give birth to a child at any hour. The master did not for one instant leave the chamber of his suffering wife. Suddenly a wild noise rang out in the courtyard; about twenty-four horsemen had arrived, led by a Turkish Aga. To the terror of the serving people the Turkish troops carried lances and knives. Is your master at home? the Aga said, haughtily, to Andy, who in his terror had remained riveted to the spot. If he is, he went on without waiting for an answer, tell him to come out, I wish to speak to him. Still Andy could not speak, at which the Turk with emphasis added, If he will not come out I will go after him. With these words he sprang from his horse and crossed the space before the entrance. Andy ventured to stammer a brief But, gracious lord, when the Turk cut him off with I should like it better, my boy, if you would stop your talk and go into the house. Just then Apafi, attracted by the rattling of the lances, came out of his wife's room. He was terror-stricken when he faced his unexpected guest. Are you Michael Apafi ? asked the Turk, angrily. At your service, gracious lord, replied. Apafi, quietly. Good. His majesty, the celebrated Ali Pasha, sends you word to enter this carriage without delay and come to my lord in camp at Klein- Selyk, and that without any attendants. That's a pretty story, muttered Apafi...