"But what will the Prince say?"
"It is I who command you, my son, not the Prince. Read them, I say, and don't mind if you hear me groan."
Cserei looked at the seal of one of the letters and durst not break it open.
"Your Excellency, that is a secretum sigillum."
"Break it open like a man, I say. Such secrets are not dangerous to you; you are a child to be afraid of such things."
Cserei opened the letter, and glancing at the signature, stammered in a scarce audible voice: "Leopoldus."[5]
[5] i.e. the Emperor Leopold.
Teleki, resting on his elbows, listened attentively.
"Your Highness and my well-disposed Friend—I have heard from Baron Mendenzi Kopp and worthy Master Kászonyi of your Excellency's good dispositions towards me and Christendom, and your readiness to help in the present disturbances. All my own efforts will be directed to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the Christian Princes, so that there may not be the slightest occasion that the Turkish War should extend, and that the whole power of the Ottoman Empire should be hurled on me and my dominions. But I hope that the fury of these barbarians, by the combination of the foreign kings and princes, shall, with God's assistance, be so opposed and thwarted as to make them turn back from the league of the combined faithful hosts. Meanwhile, I assure your Excellency and the Estates of Transylvania of my protection, so long as you continue well-disposed towards me, and I entrust the maintenance of this good understanding between us to Messrs. the illustrious Baron Kopp and the Honourable Mr. Kászonyi. Wishing your Excellency good health and all manner of good fortune, etc., etc."
Cserei looked at the doors and windows in terror, for fear someone might be listening.