"Then speak to him yourself."
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."