"So our hope that Transylvania will take up arms has been dashed," observed the crestfallen Frenchman.
"On the contrary, our hope only now begins," returned Bethlen, tapping his friend on the shoulder. "Did you hear that young man Tököli speak?"
"Yes; he spoke very prettily."
"Prettily or not, it strikes me that he is just the man you seek."
"A King of Hungary, eh?"[54]
[54] Tököli (Emerich), the most extraordinary Hungarian of his day, famous for his marvellous courage and beauty, his adventures and vicissitudes. In 1682 the Turks proclaimed him Prince of Hungary, and for the next five years he disputed possession of that country with the Emperor. After being twice thrown in prison by the Sultan, he was released and proclaimed Prince of Transylvania, but, after many successes, was finally obliged to fly to Turkey. He was excluded by name from the general amnesty at the Peace of Lovicz, 1697, between the Turks and the Emperor; but the Sultan made him Count of Widdin and one of his chief counsellors. He died in 1705 at Nicomedia in Bithynia. He married Helen Zrinyi, who accompanied him everywhere with heroic fidelity.
"Either that or an outlaw. Fate will decide."
CHAPTER VII.
THE JUS LIGATUM.[55]
[55] Jus ligatum. The right of conspiring secretly against an offender unreachable by the ordinary law.