The emir turned furiously upon his heel, and, shaking the dust from his feet, left the room.
This scene put Apafi in a good humour, especially with Teleki. The minister could read this change of mood in his master's face, and hastened to make use of it. Taking one of the many suitors by the hand, he presented him to Apafi with these words—
"My future son-in-law, your Highness."
Apafi would probably have escaped from a presentation made in any other way; but made in this form he could not possibly avoid it. He was compelled to cast a glance upon the young man.
The person so presented was a tall, handsome stripling with blooming red cheeks and no trace, as yet, of a beard. In his femininely beautiful features, it was pride alone which revealed the man.
The youth pleased Apafi.
"What is your son-in-law's name?" he asked Teleki.
With a peculiar smile Teleki said—
"Emerich, Stephen Tököly's son."
On hearing this name, Apafi suddenly became very grave, and said to the young man—