le features resembling a Hungarian's.

"You do not notice me, or perhaps you do not remember me," said the
youth, stepping up to Beldi.

Beldi glanced at him and thought he recognized him, but did not
venture to call him by name until his younger daughter Aranka hanging
on her father's arm said with a childlike laugh:

"Have you forgotten Feriz Bey? I knew him at once."

Beldi extended his hand to the youth with a cordial greeting.

"My father sends me to you with an urgent message and had you not come
I should have ridden after you. When your family rejoicing is over
call me, for my mission admits of no delay."

Beldi was surprised at the serious tone of the youth, and as soon as
he reached the castle called him aside to a private room. Then the
young Bey gave him a roll fastened with a yellow seal and tied with
cords. Beldi broke it open and read as follows:

"May heaven protect and defend you and your family.
Transylvania is in peril; the Grand Seignior is
aroused by the conflict between Dionysius Banfy and
the Pasha of Nagy Varad. It is reported that this
nobleman is in correspondence with the Roman emperor.
See to it that the country bridles Banfy; you have
still force sufficient. The Sultan has sworn that if
the Prince should not prove a match for him and know
how to command he will drive them both out of the
country and intrust the control of Transylvania to a
pasha. The pashas of Nagy Varad and Temesvar, the
princes on the frontier and Tartar Khan have received
orders to hold themselves in readiness to make their
way into Transylvania from all sides at the first
signal. Keep that noble lord under check for death
hangs over your heads by a mere thread.

"Your good friend,
"KUTSCHUK PASHA."

Beldi's face grew dark as he read these lines. So then it was in vain
for him to put Banfy's name out of his mind; this letter called it up
again and in an aspect still more hateful. He folded the letter, and
in a few words gave the serious youth a reply for his father.

"Inform your father that our action shall anticipate the threatened
evil. I send my thanks for the warning."

With this reply Feriz Bey left the castle. Beldi remained alone in his
room; deep in thought he paced back and forth, and racked his brain to
find out some way to meet the peril, but he saw none. It was not to be
expec