But just then they were interrupted, for the door opened, and one of the royal pages stepped in. "I have been looking for you in your quarters, lieutenant-general," said he; "and as I did not find you at home, it is a good thing you are here. See, this is from the king; please to read it." And he handed a note to Michael, who turned deadly pale as he took it and read as follows:-- "I wish you all good. "So you have become very well acquainted indeed with your neighbours! and we suspect that you have spent more time tied to their apron-strings than in exercising the garrison. We shall therefore give you something to do. "We shall expect you to be at Visegrád by eleven o'clock to-morrow morning, and we will there give you our orders. Be prepared for three months' absence from Buda. "You will not see your neighbour again; she is to be the bride of Aggtelky Mihály, one of our best-beloved and most trusty counts. God be with us.[15] "MATTHIAS." [Footnote 15: Equivalent to our "adieu."] The note was written in the most formally polite style. There was no "gossip" or "little brother," there was not even a "thou" in it--nothing from beginning to end but "your grace," answering indeed to our "you," but a good deal more chilling to those accustomed to the friendly "thee" and "thou." Michael smothered his wrath as best he could, feeling how much he owed to the king, and that it would be the blackest ingratitude to show passion and resentment because he now crossed his will. "I will obey His Highness's commands," said he to the page, who at once withdrew. Then he embraced Esther, and said with a heavy sigh, "All is not lost yet. The king is good, and--God is better. Keep up your heart." * * * * * The next morning the young lieutenant-general was at Visegrád by the appointed time, and went at once to the governor, who told him that the king had arrived a couple of hours previously, very irritable and out of humour, as it seemed. "What can have happened to His Highness?" asked Michael, grieved to hear of the king's ill-humour, and fearing not only that his petition would come at a most unfortunate time, but that the king would not perhaps let him have speech of him at all. "Eh!" said the governor, "who knows what our good king has to worry him? There's trouble enough in the country just now, that's certain, and he has both his hands full. But I am sure I am not afraid of him; and as for those who vex him, may they suffer for it as they deserve!"