A quarter of a century later, when my own boys, Stephen and John, were springing into early manhood, we all journeyed to Pesth to see the Emperor Francis Josef crowned King of Hungary.
"John the Joyous" was with us, and though his hair was sprinkled with white streaks, his heart had never felt lighter.
The boys were chiefly occupied in gazing at the gorgeous spectacle--the ermine-trimmed velvet cloaks of the councillors, the flashing mail of the nobles, the sparkling diamonds and precious stones, the magnificent horses, the robes and mitres of the officiating priests.
To them it was a splendid procession; to us it was the fruition of hopes long deferred.
We thought of Görgei, of my brother Stephen, and of all the gallant men who had laid down their lives for the cause, and I think it was something more than the sun's rays which brought the water to our eyes.
And when the Austrian Emperor, robed in the embroidered mantle of St. Stephen, and crowned with the sacred crown, swore as King of Hungary to guard her rights and liberties against all foes, our hearts were full.
We felt that in the years long past our loyalty to the red, white, and green flag had not been altogether in vain.
THE END.
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN ***