HƲNGARY had been always an Elective Kingdom, before the Crown came into [Page 2]the possession of the Princes of the House of Austria. And the Hungarians had yet pre­served some sort of Liberty, by means of the Priviledges which had been granted to them by their first Kings, and of which they made the Ob­servation be sworn to, by all that came to that Crown. The chief points of which were, That no matter of great Impor­tance should be proceeded upon, without the Advice and Con­sent of the Diet, which should be always called once in three years. That they should be Governed by a Palatine, who should have the administration of all the Affairs of War, Go­vernment, and Justice. That this Palatine should always be of their own Nation: That [Page 3]he should be Named by the States, and Confirmed by the King. That none of the Offi­ces of the Kingdom should be given to any but natural Hungarians; That no Foreign Forces should be admitted into any of their Places; and that they themselves should have the charge of defending their own Country. The Princes of the House of Austria, which having also the Imperial Dig­nity, with that of Kings of Hungary and Bohemia, and a great Authority, endeavou­red, by little and little, to take away these Priviledges, and chiefly the Emperour Leopold Ignatius, who now Reigns. This bred very ill Blood a­mongst all the Nobility, and it chiefly provoked Count Wesse­lini, [Page 4]who was then Palatine, who resolved to shake off a yoak, which seemed too hea­vy to him; but he could not put so great a Design in execu­tion by his own Power, he there­fore resolved to engage all the other Lords of his Country; and principally the Protestants, ta­king for a pretence, that the Emperour, by the Advice of his Evil Ministers, disturbed them in the exercise of their Religion. Wesselini, who knew Love to be the great Spring which moves the grea­test Affairs, resolved to make use of it for the executing of his design. Aurora Veronica, Daughter to Count Peter de Serini, seemed to him very proper to act so important a part. She had Beauty, a pene­trating [Page 5]Wit, and a way so insi­nuating, that it was capable of gaining the most Rebellious of Hearts. Besides, having been bred up in the House of Kathe­rine Frangipani, her Mother, who was one of the most Am­bitious Women in Europe, it was impossible for her not to be inspired with some of the same Thoughts. Count Serini was newly made Ban or Vice-Roy of Croatia, which Employ­ment the Emperour gave him, upon the vacancy of it, by the Death of Nicholas de Serini, his Brother, which made him absolute Master of that whole Province. But this Count be­ing dissatisfied with the Court, for having refused him the Go­vernment of Carolstad, the Ca­pital City of his Government, [Page 6]and the Command of a sepa­rate Body of an Army, to serve against the Turks. These were all favourable Conjunctures, to draw him into the Confedera­cy which the Palatine was plotting. Wesselini had a Son, well made in his Person, A­morous, and very likely to ex­cite Love; he was called Vladi­slaus. The Palatine resolved to make use of him, to gain Ma­dam de Serini to his Party, and having communicated to him the design which he had of Marrying him to this lovely Person he commanded him to go to Lapsina, a Castle belong­ing to Count Serini, three Leagues from Schachstorn, in Croatia, where he went to spend the Summer with all his Family, upon pretence of gi­ving [Page 7]that Count advice of the Designs which the Turks had upon the Places of his Govern­ment, and recommended to him chiefly, to endeavour, du­ring his stay at Lapsina, to gain the Love of the Beautiful Au­rora Veronica, assuring him, that if he could engage the Heart of the young Lady, he would go himself to request her from her Father for him. Vla­dislaus, who had hitherto kept his Liberty, easily submitted to his Father's Commands, and went, within a few days to Lapsina, where he was very well received by Count Serini, who was over-joyed to shew to the Palatine, in the Person of his Son, the Esteem which he had for him. He found with Madam Serini, only Joshua, a [Page 8]young Gentleman of the Neighbourhood, who had been bred near her, and for whom she had, for this reason, a great deal of Complaisance. Vladi­slaus soon perceived Joshua was in Love with Aurora Veronica, by the uneasiness which his assi­duous visits to her, caused in him; but he dissembled the knowledge of it, being fully persuaded, that the Competi­tion of a Man of a Quality so inferiour to his, would not be capable of overthrowing his Designs. Joshua did not keep the same moderation; for every one being apt to flatter him­self in Love, he had taken the Civility which my Lady Ve­ronica had shewed to him for Love, and looked upon any Complaisance, which she shew­ed [Page 9]for young Wesselini, as a breach of Faith towards him. He thought, at first, that she would take notice of his trouble, and that she would change her behaviour towards him. But seeing she did not heed it, and that she suffered him to be devoured by his se­cret Afflictions, without ma­king the least excuse to her, he thought he was obliged, at length, to break silence. Ha­ving, one Evening, found Ma­dam de Serini alone with her Daughter, in Lapsini Gardens, whilst Vladislaus was gone out to Hunt with Count Serini, he approached her, and speaking softly, You came, without doubt, (said he to her) to think of him, whom you are not allowed to see this day. My Lady Veronica, [Page 10]having no inclination for Wesse­lini, would not break with Joshua, who contributed some­times to her Diversion, by his lively Wit, pretended not to understand him. I assure you, (replied she) I mind Men so little, that the moment they are not with me, I think to more of them; But yet I thought, (replyed Jo­shua with a tender and passio­nate Air) you missed me some­times heretofore, when I was from you; but since—That happened so seldom, (said my Lady Veronica, interrupting him pleasantly) that I had not the time to examine my self, whe­ther your Absence made me un­easie. If you have not made these Reflections, in relation to me. (replyed, abruptly, Joshua) it is, it may be, because you have [Page 11]a greater Concern for Count Wesse­lini. As Joshua was speaking these words, Vladislaus, who was come into the Garden, at his return from the Chace, came towards Aurora Veronica. She turned immediately to him, and speaking with the same ai­riness, You are come in a very good time, my Lord, (pursued she) to answer a Question, which was asked me by this Gentle­man, pointing at Joshua. He asks me if I am not uneasie, when you are not with me; what do you think of it? I should account my self very happy, (replied Wesselini,) if that were true. You should not long enjoy this Happi­ness, (replied Joshua, looking upon his Rival with Eyes wherein his Jealousie was fla­ming). And who should disturb [Page 12]my Happiness? (answered Vladi­slaus with a scornful Air) would you? Methinks our Birth makes a difference great enough between us, for me not to have any cause of fearing your Competition. You thing (replied Joshua sharply) you are yet in Hungary; but I desire you will remember we are in Croatia, and if a man be born a Gentleman, and have Courage, he may account himself equal to all that are not Princes. If you were elsewhere, you should, it may be, not have reason to doubt of what I say; but I know the respect which is due to my Lady, and I shall take a better time to Convince you of it. Fi­nishing these words he went out of the Garden, without waiting for his Rival's Answer.

My Lady Veronica informed her Father of what had passed between these two Rivals, and the Count immediately caused Joshua to be searched for with care; but it was impossible to find him. He remained con­cealed, for eight days, near the Castle, and took his time so well, that, one morning, when he was no more thought of, Wesselini being gone out of the Castle, to walk in the cool of the Morning, he came out of his Ambuscade, and coming up fiercely to the Palatine's Son, forced him to draw his Sword. They both fighting with great eagerness, the Combate would have been fatal to one or the other, and it may be to both, if Count Serini had not come to part them. He caused Wes­selini [Page 14]to be carried to the Castle, he being wounded in many places. But Joshua, who was least hurt, went a way with all speed, no body discovering which way he took. Madam de Serini, did not in along time hear any news of this desperate Lover, and found him not again until ten years after this time, by a strange surprising Accident, vvhich I shall relate in the end of this following Discourse.

Count Serini having given an Account to the Palatine, of his Sons being wounded, he came over immediately to Lap­sina, and was glad by dischar­ging this natural Obligation, to be able to lay the foundati­on of a Plot, which he had in his Head. He found his Son [Page 15]in a pretty good Condition, by the Care which had been taken of him, and therefore he would no longer defer, breaking the Matter to the Countess of Se­rini. The first time he found himself alone with her, he in­trusted her with the thoughts he had, of delivering Hungary from the Bondage, under which the Emperour kept the Nobili­ty and Commonalty. The Palatine had no sooner made this overture, but she promis'd to concur with him, with all her Power, and to speak of it to her Husband, and to Count Frangipani her Brother, who was to be at Lapsina with­in two days. The Coun­tess perform'd her promise to the Palatine, and represented to her Husband, who was dissa­tisfied [Page 16]at the refusal which had been made to him, of the Go­vernment, of Carolstad, that he might by the means of this League, make himself Sove­raign of Croatia. The Count was caught by this Bait, and finding his Brother-in-Law of the same mind, they conferred both with the Palatine, by the means of the Countess. The only thing which staid the Exe­cution of their Design, was to finde out a Fond great enough, to raise and maintain the Forces, which they should be oblig'd to have on foot. The Countess, be­ing an Italian Lady, could not want Expedients, proposed enga­ging in their Party, Prince Ra­gotski, whose Father, who had been Prince of Transylvania, had heaped up great Riches, which his [Page 17]Widow kept at Mencatz, a strong Place in upper Hungary, and that not to fail of what would be absolutely necessary for their undertaking, it would be con­venient to marry the young Lady Serini to that Prince. The Palatine having relished this Proposition, told the Com­pany, that this Prince intended to go for a Month to Dron­theim, to take the Waters, and it was resolved that the Coun­tess should go thither with her Daughter, to shew her to the Prince, and endeavour to make him in Love with her.

Whilst these four Persons took measures for the making of War. Count Teckeli, who was Wesselini's Friend, having heard of his Duel, and of his [Page 18]Wounds, at the Castle of Kuss, being then with his Father, came to Lapsina, to give him a visit. The Countess, to whom his Courage was known, knew that it would be of great Ad­vantage to the Conspirators, for them to get this Young Count to enter into the Con­federacy. To succeed in this Design, she thought, she ought to make Love be of use to Ambition, and commanded her Daughter to make use of all her Charms, to endeavour to please Teckeli. She could not command a more pleasant thing to Lady Veronica, for the first time she had seen Count Teckeli, she had felt some Inclination to­wards him, and did wish he loved her. Teckeli on his part, had had the same thoughts, [Page 19]and they passed some days with­out explaining themselves, than by their Looks, and emotions of their Hearts. Teckeli being very familiar with young Wesse­lini, he asked him the ground of his Quarrel with Joshua, and Vladislaus made no diffi­culty of trusting him with it, he added also, that his Father was come, on purpose to Lap­sina, to conclude a marriage be­tween him and Lady Veronica de Serini, and that he believed she would consent to it, without much repugnance, because she had always shewn to him a great deal of Favour, since he had been at the Castle.

Teckeli seemed struck, as witha Thunderbolt, when he heard this news; and in the fear wherein he was, that Wesse­lini [Page 20]should perceive his Con­cern, he went out of the Room, upon a pretence which he made upon the sudden. Teckeli, since this fatal Confidence, fell into a deep Melancholly, which surpriz'd every body at Lapsi­na. Lady Veronica, who had a greater share in it than the o­thers, was most earnest to clear her doubts. One Night as Teckeli led her, walking with her, she could not forbear say­ing to him, seeing him wrap­ped up in so deep a study, I see, my Lord, you are weary of Lap­sina, and you are troubled at your having quitted the Diver­sions which you had in Hunga­ry, to come into Croatia, where you find none of those Sports. From whence comes it, Madam, (replied the Count) that you [Page 21]make this judgment of me? Do you think I have so little under­standing, as to be tired with a Place where you are? It looks as if you found little satisfaction in my Company, (replied Lady Veronica) since you speak to me only, when Civility forces you to answer me, and I am forced to keep up the Conversation, which you suffer to fall every moment, you must necessarily have your mind prepossest with some trouble. It is not, replied the Count sen­ding forth a sigh, for my having abandoned my self to the Plea­sure which I took at Lapsina, and for having suffered my self to be deceiv'd by flattering Hopes, that I have fallen into the despairing Condition where­in you see me. Adieu, Madam; do not force me to tell you more, [Page 22]I should it may be, attract your hatred, and I should yet be more unfortunate than I am. Wesselini ending these words, took his leave of Lady Veronica, leaving her in a great disorder of mind. She did not find, that he could by loving her commit so great a Crime, as not to dare to make a Confession of it to her, and she could not imagine vvhat he found himself Guilty of.

Count Teckeli on his side, found it so very difficult to hide from his Mistress, the trouble with which his mind was perplexed, that at last with the force he had used to him­self, he fell into so violent a Fea­ver, that the third day his life was despared of. Lady Ve­ronica vvent to give him a Visit, [Page 23]and having pressed him ex­treamly, to tell her the cause of his Melancholly; he con­fessed to her, that from the first moment that he had seen her, he had been so stricken vvith her Charms, and not being capable of hoping ever to possess her, since she was designed for Count Wesselini, it vvould be no regret to him, to part vvith his life, vvhich could not be tollerable to him vvithout her. Lady Veronica undeceived him, and told him that if Wesselini had any design upon her, he had never let her knovv it, and that he had not so much as propos'd any thing concer­ning such an Affair to her Re­lations, and that he might as­sure himself, that if she had [Page 24]the freedom of her Choice, he should be no longer un­happy. This flattering Discourse had more effect than all the Physicians Remedies. The joy which this caused in Teckeli, soon cured his Disease, and in a few days his Feaver left him. The Countess of Serini, to whom the Daughter gave an Account of Tecklei's Discourse, went to see him, so soon as she heard she might discourse with him, without prejudicing his Health, and after having given him to understand, that Count Serini would think him­self honoured by an Alliance with him, she hinted to him something of the Conspiracy. Teckeli, who wished with passi­on, for an opportunity of do­ing Count Serini some impor­tant [Page 25]Service, which might ob­lige him to prefer him before other Pretenders, in the choice of a Son-in-Law, promised the Countess to return to Kus, so soon as he was in a condition to sit on Horse-back, and to use all his skill and endeavours to bring his Father into this League.

On another hand, Wesselini, being perfectly cured of his Wounds, desired the Palatine to Request for him Lady Ve­ronica from her Parents; but he was strangely astonished, when his Father told him, he ought to think no more of her, for she was designed for Prince Ragotski. Vladislaus in vain represented to his Father, the violent Passion which he [Page 26]had for Lady Veronica Serini, and that he himself had kind­led the Fire which Consumed him. This severe old Man an­swered his Son, with a Tone which exacted Obedience, that Persons of his Age and Qua­lity, ought to be sensible of no other Passion but Ambition; that his Design was to make him Reign in Hungary, and to assure him a Crown, which the Princes of the House of Austria intended to perpetu­ate in their Family, contrary to the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom. He then ex­plain'd to him the measures which he had taken with Count Serini, and the necessi­ty which there was of enga­ging Prince Ragotski in his Party, by the Alliance which [Page 27]he had projected. But fearing lest a longer stay might in­crease his Son's Passion, and hinder him from obeying his Commands, he resolved to de­part from thence the next day, to return to Murano, and took with him this unfortunate Lover.

Count Teckeli made little stay after the departure of the Palatine, to take his leave of Lady Veronica, that he might be quickly with his Father, to perswade him to enter into the Confederacy. The fare­well he took of Aurora, was tender and passionate on both sides, and she promised the Count, that provided he could get the consent of her Parents, he should find no Obstacle on [Page 28]her side, and that she should obey, without reluctancy, the Commands they should lay up­on her of marrying him. She told him, she was within a Month to go with them to Dron­theim, to drink the Waters. And Teckeli promised to meet her there, and to give her an account of his Negotiation. Scarce was Teckeli gone from Lapsina, when the Count of Tachtembach came thither, to in­crease the number of the Con­quests of Lady Veronica Serini. He is one of the greatest men of Stiria, handsom enough, magnificent in all his Actions, but Voluptuous, without being Amorous. The very first day he saw my Lady Veronica, he told her, without any diffi­culty, in plain terms he loved [Page 29]her, and desired her of her Fa­ther for his Wife, not doubting but that his offer would be em­braced, they knowing his E­state and Birth. Count Serini received the Proposition very ci­vily; but not intending to refuse it, nor yet to engage himself to him, he answered him only, that he ought to give himself time to be acquainted with his Daughter, and let her know his Humour, to see if they were proper for each other; and changing at the same time the Subject of their discourse, to free himself from Tachtembach's Persecutions, who would abso­lutely compleat the marriage, before he left Lapsina, he told him of the report which was very hot, that the King of Spain was dead, and that the [Page 30]Emperour intending to go to take possession of that Crown, the Empress was to govern in his absence the Hereditary Pro­vinces, with the Title of Re­gent. If this news be true, ad­ded Count Serini, we should be very unhappy, to be reduced to submit to the Government of a Woman. Tachten bach, who affected to be Gallant, answe­red, that Men were born only to obey the fair Sex. There is a great deal of difference, replied Count Serini, between an Obe­dience which is voluntarily paid to a Person one loves, and that which one is forced to pay to a Soveraign Princess. Whilst Count Serini was speaking thus, the Countess his Wilfe came into them, and he being willing to let her finish what [Page 31]he had but rough drawn, he added, he would be judged by the Countess, and having in­formed her in few words, of the Subject of their Discourse, he engaged her to tell his Friend. The Countess, who had a great deal of subtle wit, and that so well turned, that she described so livelily to Tach­tembach, the shame it was, to live in such a slavery as the Princes of the House of Austria had reduced the Hungarians to, that it raised in him an earnest desire to throw off so heavy a Yoak, and then taking up a­gain her pleasant Air, she told him that the Count her Hus­band, being like to be sudden­ly King of Croatia, she would not marry her Daughter to any but a Soveraign Prince, [Page 32]and that he should consider with himself, whether he had Courage enough to make him­self Master of Stiria.

The Conversation was car­ried no farther this day, but Count Serini had many other discourses with Tachtembach, wherein they discussed this matter to the Bottom. Tach­tembach objected several diffi­dulties, viz. the Number of the Forces fit to be raised, the money necessary to keep them up, and what Places could be had convenient to retire into. Count Serini answered all these Objections, and told him he was Master of Schachthorn, the Palatine of Murano; and that Ragotski, whom they intended to get into the Confederacy, [Page 33]would deliver up Mencatz, and would raise Forces with the Money which his Father had gathered, and kept in that Castle; that therefore Tachtem­bach should only need to make himself Master of Gratz. In that he knew so well how to manage this Counts humour, that he made him sign a Trea­ty, of which he had drawn a Project with the Palatine, be­fore he went away. Tachtem­bach, after having been a fort­night at Lapsina, took leave of Count Serini, and desired him to come to see him, at the Castle of Krantzfield, with the Countess his Wife, and the Charming Aurora Veronica; which the Count easily promi­sed him, being desirous to keep him in the good dispo­sition [Page 34]into which he brought him.

The season for drinking the Waters drawing near, Count Serini thought it requisite not to defer, any longer, his Journey to Krantzfield, that he might afterwards go to Drontheim, without passing by Lapsina a­gain. Tachtembach having had notice, by a Letter from Count Serini, that he was setting out to go to visit him with all his Family, prepared to entertain him with his usual Magnifi­cence; and having sent for Actors and Violins to Gratz, he set out at the head of fifty Gentlemen very richly dressed, and bravely mounted, and went to meet Count Serini, as far as Puttow, which is the last [Page 35]Town of Stiria, towards Croa­tia. He then conducted this lovely Company, which came to visit him, to Krantzfield, al­ways riding by the Coach side, entertaining the Ladies. During the eight days which Count Serini remained at this Castle, Tachtembach invented every day some new Divertisement, sometimes Hunting, another time Fishing, or Hawking; sometimes the wrestling of Peasants, or the running of Boat-men at each other upon a great Canal; giving every Night a Play and a Ball, with very pleasant Masquerades and Musick in Recitativo. I do not mention good Chear, that be­ing the usual Regale of the Ger­mans; and it may be said, that there was never seen so great [Page 36]an abundance, and so many Delicacies on the Emperour's Table, as there were at Krantz­field, whilst this entertainment lasted. But Tachtembach, lo­ving Debauchery a little too much, when the Ladies were retired to their Chambers, they fell to drinking, which they continued the greatest part of the Night. It is easie to ima­gine, that after excesses of this kind, Tachtembach could not make his Court agreeably to his Mistress, and that he chose rather to absent himself from her, than let her perceive his sighs smelled too much of Wine.

In the height of all these Diversions, Aurora Veronica be­gan to be weary of Krantzfield, [Page 37]whether because the behaviour of Tachtembach was unplea­sing to her, or that she was im­patient to see Teckeli again. She said every moment to the Countess, that the season of the Waters was going over, and prevailed with her at last to go to Drontheim. She found there Teckeli, who was one of the first come thither, and who was as much in love as at Lapsi­na; he complained of her ha­ving deferred coming so long, but she obligingly gave him to understand, that if the day of her departure had depended up­on her own will, she would not have stayed so long from thence. Prince Ragotski was also come thither, with the Princess his Mother, and having heard of the arrival of the Countess of [Page 38] Serini, he went to give her a visit; he was not less Charmed with the Beauty and the Wit of this young Lady, than the other Lords which had seen her, saying, like a Courtier, to these Ladies, that although it might make him pass for an undutiful Son, he could not be sorry for the troubles which this Journey cost to his Mo­ther, since they had furnisht him with an opportunity of making so agreeable an ac­quaintance; they rallied a long time upon the effect of the Waters: The Countess said, that she was of opinion, that the Diversions of these places, where they went to drink them, contributed more to the restoring of Health, than the vertue of them. Prince Ragot­ski [Page 39]added, that he very much doubted, whether the coldness of the Vitriol, with which the Waters were tinged, would be able to put out that flame, with which he of late found himself consumed. The Countess ral­lied this Prince, for this plea­sant way of declaring his Love, and told him, that certainly he was very easie to be inflamed, if any fair Lady had already kindled in his Heart so great a Flame. But Aurora Veronica did not concern her self in this Conversation, and seemed al­ways very reserved. After Ragotski was gone, the Coun­tess asked her Daughter, why she had been so serious, and commanded her to look upon this Prince as a Man that was designed by her Relations to be her Husband.

Lady Veronica was ex­treamly surprized at her Mo­ther's discourse, and not being willing to discover to her her real thoughts, she made some slight indisposition her excuse. So soon as she could have op­portunity of discoursing with Teckeli in private, she did not fail of letting him know what force they intended to put up­on her inclinations; but she not engaging her self so far as to disobey her Fathers orders, the Count accused her for being more sensible of Ambition than Love, and swore to her, that if she would always be faith­ful to him, he would set a Crown upon her Head, other­wise he would dye in the exe­cution of his design. But al­though [Page 41]he said at the same time to her, the most passionate things in the World, he could obtain nothing more of her.

Ragotski, whose passion grew greater every moment, did not fail of asking Lady Ve­ronica, the first time he had the opportunity of discoursing with her in private, whether she would give any ear to his Suit, and whether she would allow him to make his Propo­sitions to her Father? Although the amiable Veronica answered him with great indifferency; yet he spoke to Count Serini concerning this Affair, who seemed to him, to be very glad that he should seek his Al­liance; that he could not let him have his Daughter, unless [Page 42]he would enter into the League which was made against the Em­perour, and promised him, that he would seise upon Mencatz, and of his Fathers Treasures, which was extreamly necessa­ry to make so great a design succeed. Ragotski was too much in Love, to refuse any thing to Count Serini; he promised him to follow blind­ly his Orders; and being assu­red of his Consent to the Mar­riage of his Daughter, he went to make the same Proposition to the Princess his Mother, who knowing the advantages that would accrue to her Son, by this alliance, easily consented to it. It is true, she knew no­thing of the Terms which Count Serini had imposed up­on her Son, which had she [Page 43]done, she would never have a­greed to them, she being entire­ly of the Emperour's Party.

Ragotski, whose Love could not endure any delay, gave an account to the Father of Vero­nica, of the thoughts which he found his Mother had, and desired him he would not de­fer his happiness any longer. The Count, to satisfie him, spoke immediately to his Daughter, telling her of the engagement he had lately made with Ragotski, and commanded her to dispose her self to Marry him within three days. Lady Veronica endeavoured to make some opposition, but the Count spoke to her with so much Au­thority, that she did not dare any more to resist such pressing [Page 44]Orders; all that she could do, was to manage a private Con­ference with Teckeli, to let him know the trouble it was to her, to lose him. But this Count perceived, through all the marks of her Love, that the Quality which Ragotski would by marrying her, make her possess, would soon comfort her for the loss of a beloved Lover.

Ragotski's Marriage was per­formed without pomp. Count Serini not thinking it proper that this Marriage should be publick, until he had put his other designs into a condition of succeeding happily; but the Palatine's Death, which hapned a little while afterwards, soon broke all their Measures. So soon as Ragotski had brought [Page 45]his Wife home to Schachthorn, where she was to pass the Win­ter; he took his measure how to make himself Master of Men­catz, but he was not able to surprize that place, as he was resolved, nor to seize upon his Fathers Treasures, because his Mother, having discovered his design, got thither before him, and took so well her precauti­on, that she even hindred him from being received into the Town. This enterprise failing, made an end of putting the Con­spirators into disorder.

Before this News was brought to Count Serini, Tach­tembach prevailed with him, to come to pass the Carnaval at Gratz, and to bring with him thither, the Countess and [Page 46]the Princess Ragotski, of whose marriage he was yet ignorant. Count Serini, would not refuse him the satisfaction, came in­to Stiria on the first Wednes­day of the Carnaval. Tachtem­bach, who was always very magnificent, did, as he was used, endeavour to divert his Guest, the best that was pos­sible for him to do, and made one of the last days of the Car­naval a Wirschaaf, which is a sort of Masquerade, wherein every one puts on the Habit of a different Nation, or Profession. Tachtembach was in the Habit of a Mountebank, and distributed to the Ladies of the Hall, Bills, wherein were written Verses, which discovered his Love.

All these Diversions were [Page 47]disturbed by the coming in of a Gentleman, whom Prince Ragotski had dispatched to Count Serini, to acquaint him with the unfortunate success of his Enterprise. Count Seri­ni immediately took his leave of Tachtembach, to return to Scachthorn, that he might give out his orders, for the raising of Forces, recommending very earnestly to this Count, his making himself Master of Gratz. Tachtembach, in his turn, being ignorant of Prince Ragotski's marriage with Count Serini's Daughter, desir'd this Count to reserve for him this lovely Person, as his reward, for what he was going to undertake for the service of the Party; to which Count Serini answered, that he should always have a [Page 48]grateful sense of what he should do upon this occasion, and that he would neglect nothing which might contribute to­wards his satisfaction. Tachtem­bach, who was of no very quick Parts, took this civility for current, and believed that he might ground upon these words a certain hope of seeing his love gratified. Whilst Count Serini prepared all things which were necessary for the begin­ning of the War in the Spring, Tachtembach was not asleep, he sent to Count Serini his first Valet de Chambre, by whom he let him know, that he in­tended within a fortnight, to come, towards the closing of the Evening, with five Wag­gons filled with Turks, to the Gates of Gratz; and that as [Page 49]soon as one had passed over the Bridge, one of the wheels should fall off, and overturn the Waggon, to stop the Gate, and hinder it from being shut, and that at the same time the Turks should come out of the other Waggons, and put to the Sword, all those they should find in the Corps de Garde; but that it might not be possible for the Undertaking to fail, it was necessary for him to ad­vance with some Forces which he should conceal near the Town, staying till he had no­tice of the success of this great Design.

Count Serini promised this Valet de Chambre, to do what his Master desired, and they agreed together of all the Cir­cumstances. [Page 50]But by misfortune this young man had heard, from some of Count Serini's Servants, of his Daughter's mar­riage with Prince Ragotski, and informed Tachtembach of it. This Brutish Count, instead of re­warding the Honesty of this Servant, in the despair into which this news had cast him, sent him to Prison, accusing him of Robbery, to revenge himself upon him, for the de­ceit which had been used to­wards him, as if he had been guilty of it.

This unfortunate young man, after having suffered his im­prisonment some days, hoping that his Master would come back from his injustice; but when he saw that he continu­ed [Page 51]to persecute him, he resol­ved to recover his liberty, by his destruction; and having yet about him, the instruction which Tachtembach had given him, written with his own hand, when he had sent him to Schachthorn, he put them into the hands of Francis Will, Country Provost, who gave it to Barron Oker, Chancellor of the Kingdom, and by these means the Emperour was in­formed of the Secret of the whole Conspiracy; his Impe­rial Majesty immediately sent Orders to Oker, to feize upon the Person of Tachtembach, which he did in this manner. This Count, who suspected no­thing, returned to Gratz, and going to take his Seat in the Soveraign Council, as he was [Page 52]accustomed to do, President Pu­nii sent the Clerk to amuze him in the Anti-chamber, wai­ting till he had taken the measures necessary for the seiz­ing of his Person; a little while afterwards, the Judge of the Town came to demand his Sword, having made ten or twelve Soldiers which had been sent for, conveyed him to the Castle, where he was kept very strictly.

As soon as the Emperor knew that Tachtembach was in hold, he sent General Spankaw with 6000 men, two pieces of great Canon, and 16 Field pieces, with Orders to march against Count Serini, and to take the Castle of Schachthorn; this Count having notice of it, [Page 53]sent a Gentleman to Vienna, to give his Imperial Majesty assurances of his Loyalty; but although his submission was re­ceived, Spankaw did notwith­standing besiege Scachthorn; Count Serini and Frangipani his Brother-in-Law, not find­ing themselves in a Condition to make any defence, left all that they had in the Town, and went out of it by a secret Salli-Port, and went towards Vienna, hoping to clear them­selves; where they were no sooner arrived, but their Per­sons were seized, and sent Pri­soners to the Castle, from whence they were afterwards conveyed to Niewstadt.

In the mean time, General Spankaw, having taken Scach­thorn, seized upon all the goods [Page 54]of these two imprisoned Counts, imprisoning the Countess of Serini, and the Princess her Daughter; but Prince Ragotski having made his peace, by the intercession of his Mother, who had very good interest in the Imperial Court, obtained his Wifes liberty, upon Conditi­on that he would receive a German Garrison in Mencatz.

Count Teckely's Father died during these revolutions in his Castle of Kuz, but it being known that he had a hand in the Conspiracy, his Son was, notwithstanding his Death be­sieged in this Place, but so soon as he heard of the March of the Imperial Army, he retrea­ted by Night to Licora, an important place in upper Hun­gary, upon the Frontiers of [Page 55] Transilvania, with Kirzi, Para­gotzi and Baragotzi, who were three of the bravest men in this Kingdom, and of the same Age with Teckeli, they defended themselves like Lyons, but a Bombe having set fire to their Magazeen of Powder, and Baragotzi being taken in a sal­ley, the two others escaped with Teckely; and after having mar­ched in the dark through pri­vate ways, without meeting any ill accident, they arrived at Hue, a strong Castle at the entrance into Transilvania, and after having remained some days, they went for Sanctuary to Prince Abafti's Court, who was then Soveraign of this Coun­trey, and under the Protecti­on of the Turk.

There remained now no [Page 56]place but Murano, where the Palatine's Widow had lived, since the death of her Hus­band, with her Son, and Count Paul Wesselini her Brother-in-Law, the Emperor sent Prince Charles of Lorrain to take it; and the two Wesselini's not finding themselves in a Con­dition to hold out a Siege, re­tired also into Transilvania, to Prince Abaftie's Court, and the Palatine's Widow opened the Gates of the Town to the Im­perial Forces.

The Troubles of Hungary having been thus appeased, the Counts de Serini and Frangipa­ni were prosecuted, and at last sentenced to lose their Heads. There were two Jesuits sent to them, to prepare them for death, and Count Serini was [Page 57]very much amazed, to know one of them to be Joshua, who had been in love with his Daughter, and fought for her with the Palatine's Son. They could neither of them hold from Tears, seeing each other after so long an Absence. Count Serini intrusted, before he went to Execution, Joshua with a Letter to carry to his Wife, in which he bad her farewel, and this Monk took it from him by consent of the Imperial Commissioners, who were sent to Larolstadt to see the Sen­tence put in Execution upon the two Counts.

Immediately after their Exe­cution, Father Joshua went by his Superiours Permission to Gratz, where the Countess was a Prisoner, and she was not less [Page 58]surprized, when she knew this Monk, than she was at his tel­ling her the Tragical end of her Husband. Father Joshua lived at Gratz, until the death of Tachtembach, who had a like Fate with that of the Counts. He also entrusted this Jesuite with a Letter to Princess Bagotski, the Contents where­of were as follow.

Immediately after the Exe­cution of this Count, Father Joshua went to carry the Let­ter to Princess Ragotski, who was still at Mencatz, he found her yet in an extream afflicti­on, for the Death of her Fa­ther. Tachtembach's Letter re­newed yet more her Grief; and she answered Joshua only by a Torrent of Tears; she was so taken up by her Grief, [Page 60]that she had looked upon this Jesuite without knowing him, until after the first Motions of her Passion were passed, she re­membred his Face, and asked him how this change of his Condition had happened. It was, Madam, replied Joshua, because I was not able to prevail with you to love me; but you had rea­son not to lessen your self so much as to stoop to such a Man as I am, since Fortune reserved you for a Quality, to which it was not in my Power to raise you. Alas! replied the Princess sighing, it is not greatness which makes our happiness I am of opini­on that the condition of a Shep­herdess is to be preferr'd before mine. Is it Prince Ragotski, replied Joshua that—This un­just Husband, continued the [Page 61]Princess, interrupting him, has used me with the greatest scorn, since my Father's Misfortunes. He keeps always Mistresses, and I dare not complain; and the Princess his Mother is always up braiding me with my being the Daughter of a Rebel; and far from sweetning this Princes mind, when he is angry with me, she foments the Division, and feeds a flame, which she ought to endeavour to extinguish. Fa­ther Joshua endeavoured as much as he could to comfort the Princess; and the Prince her Husband being sick, he was resolved not to leave her, until he saw the success of this sick­ness. Ragotski, after having languished two Months, at length died with great trouble to leave his Wife, whose Ver­tue [Page 62]he very well knew, by the care she took of him, during the whole time that he kept his Bed by reason of his sick­ness.

After the Death of Ragotski, the Princess his Widow rekind­led the Fires of Joshua's Love. He had not yet professed him­self, according to the Custom of the Jesuits, who do not make their Profession till very late. She allowed him to hope she would reward his Constan­cy, upon the Condition he would revenge the Death of her Father. Joshua, flattered with these sweet hopes, promi­sed to undertake any thing to satisfie her; and they resolved together, that he should go to the Heads of the Male-con­tents, which were retired, [Page 63]and that he should seek out with them the means of rai­sing an oppressed Party.

The Princess gave to Joshua all the Money and Jewels which she had, and he depar­ted immediately for Mencatz, to set on foot again this great Design. He bought, at the next Town, a good Horfe, and Arms, with Cloaths fit for a Souldier, and went with all speed to Alba Julia, where Prince Abasti commonly kept his Court.

He there found all the Male­contents, which were retired thither, and represented to them so well the disposition, wherein the People of Hunga­ry were to recover their Free­dome, and especially the Pro­testants, that he engaged them [Page 64]to take up Arms. Prince A­bafti allowed them to raise Forces in his Countries. Count Paul Wesselini was named to Command the Army. The Count de Forvall took upon him the Journey to Peland, from whence he hoped to bring considerable Succours. For his Majesty of Poland having made Peace with the Grand Signior, had disbanded a great many of his Forces. Joshua took upon him the charge of going to Bu­da, there to get from the Bassa some Turks. Count Teckeli remained alone at Alba Julia, telling his Companions, that he should be most useful to them in Transilvania, because he ho­ped to dispose Prince Abafti, by the Interest he had gained with him, to declare War against [Page 65]the Emperour. In effect, he represented to him that the late Prince Ragotski had yielded up to the Emperour, by the last Treaty of Peace which they had made, the Countries of Zathmar and Kalo, which were Ancient Dependants upon Transilvania, and prevailed with him to send a famous Em­bassy to the Emperour to de­mand them, with Protestation, that in case they were refused to him, he would put himself into a Posture to recover them by force of Arms.

Joshua being returned from Buda, after having joyned the Turks, sent by the Bassa to re-inforce the Transilvanians and Hungarians, which Wesse­lini Commanded, resolved to return to Mencatz, to give an [Page 66]account to Princess Ragotski of what he had done, in the exe­cution of her Orders; and that he might have the easier access to her, he took upon him again the Habit of a Je­suit. He told her first what he had done at Alba Julia; but he not speaking of Teckeli, she inquired for him. Joshua, who had heard of the Inclination which she had shewn to this Count, before her Marriage, told her maliciously, that he was kept at Alba Julia, by the Charms of Princess Euphrosina, Daughter to Prince Abafti; and that the report was in that Court, that he would shortly be Son-in-Law to his Master. Princess Ragotski was struck with the perfideousness of her Lover, that she fell into a deep [Page 67]study, out of which it was im­possible for Joshua to rescue her all that day; and even after­wards she was constrained, by his Presence, that obliged him to leave Mencatz, whether be­cause she was not willing to have him a Witness of her weakness, or that she suspect­ed him for having inven­ted this story to destroy in her mind a Rival that was loved by her. Joshua, who was well assured that this news would be confirmed from seve­ral places, this report being very common at Alba Julia, returned to the Army to give her leisure to take her resoluti­on.

Count Teckeli had nothing to do at Alba Julia, until the Ambassador which Prince A­bafti [Page 68]had sent to the Emperor, was returned, so that he resol­ved to take this time, to go to see Princess Ragotski, who was not less dear to him, than be­fore her Marriage. When he was arrived at Licora, which is not far from Mencatz, he dressed himself like a Pedlar, and having, put a little Pack upon his Back, and immedi­ately went to the Town, where his Princess most com­monly lived. He found ways to be admitted into the Palace, and having opened his Pack and having shewed her several Toyes, he presented to her, her Picture in Minature, which she had given to him at his departure from Lapsina, and which he had enchased in a Golden Box, set with Diamonds [Page 69]of great value. The Princess surprized with so extraordina­ry an accident, looked earnest­ly upon the Pedlar, and knew him under his Disguise, but she pretended she did not, and asked him from whence he had that Picture? Teckeli, taking at the same time out of his Pack, his own Picture, which he had caused to be drawn at Alba Julia for him, told her that the Gentleman, whose Picture that was, had given him the Picture she enquired about. Where is at present; re­replied the Princess, preten­ding still not to know him, he that made you so great a Present? He is at Alba Julia, replied the Pedlar, preparing to enter into Hungary with a strong Army, to revenge the [Page 70]death of Count Serini. Say ra­ther, replied the Princess, he is at the feet of Princess Euphrosi­na; that, forgetting what he ows to his Honour, her Person, and his own Engagements, he swears to her, that he lives for her. I know not Madam, replied the Count angrily, who has thus mis-inform'd you; but if a poor Pedlar may speak of the Affairs of the Court, he has stayed at Alba Julia, solely for the Ser­vice of his Party, and for the beautiful Person, which trium­phed over his Heart in Hun­gary, who is yet Mistress of it. Whilst Teckeli was speaking thus, the Princess, who had looked over all his Pictures, she fixed her Eyes upon that of Princess Euphrosina, and ask­ed him the Name of the Person [Page 71]whose Picture that was. This is, replied the Pedlar, the Per­son, who you say has made the Gentleman, of whom we have now spoken, false. The Princess, without returning any answer, took this last Picture, and ha­ving given order to one of her Maids, to pay the Pedlar for what she had bought, she went into her Closet, without allowing any body to follow her, and left the Count in a Consternation, hardly to be conceived, unless one has lo­ved as he did. He stayed a fortnight at Mencatz, hoping to find an opportunity of con­versing with the Princess, and justifying himself; but she took so much care to avoid him, that all his endeavours were in vain. He endeavoured to [Page 72]find out in his mind, during his stay at Mencatz, the cause of his disfavour, and endeavou­red to guess who could have sowed these suspicions in the mind of the Princess. He had no other Rivals, but Wesseli­ni and Joshua, and therefore he could accuse but one of them, and he resolved to clear his doubts, as soon as he came to the Army.

Whilst he was agitated with these different thoughts, the Princess was not in greater quiet. If the Count, said she to her self, had any passion for the Princess Euphrosina, he would not have come to Mencatz in so much danger, and in a habit so unfit for his Quality; and he would not have gone so far from her, to give some Rival the op­portunity [Page 73]of making an advantage by his Absence. But she took her self up again, a moment afterwards. Would he be so guil­ty, as he seems to me, should he be led away by the Charms of the Princess of Transilva­nia? I was married to another, and had forsaken him to marry Prince Ragotski, after having engaged him in a Conspiracy which had made him lose all his Estate, and had forced him to banish himself from his Countrey. He found in a strange Country a fair Person, who offered him a Crown together with her Hand. He would have been unfurnish'd of all reason, if he had let slip so fair an opportunity, of repa­ring all his losses. And yet so soon as he hears I am a Widow, and in a Condition to dispose of [Page 74]my Person; he renounces all his fair hopes, and comes to make a Sacrifice of them to me, what can I desire more?

Princess Ragotski setled her self so firmly in this last thought, that she resolved to explain her self to Count Tecke­li; she caused him to be looked for in the whole Town, but in vain. He had ordered one of his Gentlemen to give him notice at Mencatz, when the Ambassadour, which Prince Abafti had sent to the Imperi­al Court, should return to Alba Julia. He heard by this Offi­cer, that the Emperor had re­fused to restore the Counties of Zathmar and Kalo, and that they stayed only for him, to be­gin the Campagne, which for­ced him to depart with great speed.

So soon as he was returned to Alba Julia, he made the Forces of Transilvania march, and the first of the Acts of Ho­stilities which they committed, was the siege of Zathmar; in less than a Fortnight, he redu­ced this Town to such extre­mity, as would have forced it to capitulate, had not Prince Abafti sent him orders to come back, to oppose one of the greatest Lords of all Transilva­nia, called Pedi Pol; who ha­ving been invested with this Principality by the Grand Seig­nior, and had made a conside­rable Party in the Country, which intended to dispossess their Soveraign, Count Teckeli was too grateful, to abandon his Benefactor in so imminent a danger; he no sooner had no­tice [Page 76]of it, but he raised the siege of Zathmar, and retur­ned to Transilvania, not only with the Army which he com­manded, but also with the Auxiliary Forces, which For­val had conducted thither, un­der the command of the Count of Boham, and who had newly beaten a Detachement out of the Imperial Army, comman­ded by Major General Smith. Count Teckeli met Pedi Pol, going to besiege Zebin, and having charged him, without giving him time to know his strength, he put him to slight, and forced him to retreat into Walachia, with the Chancel­lor Berthlaeus, who had em­braced his side.

It was not enough, that Teckeli delivered Prince Abafti [Page 77]from so powerful a Competi­tour; but it was also necessary to hinder the Grand Signior from taking Pedi Pol's part. Teckeli, who thought nothing impossible, when the Service of his Friends required any thing, and who had not less Skill in managing Affairs of the Closet, than Valour to beat his Enemies, when he is at the Head of an Army, offer­ed Prince Abafti to go to Con­stantinople, to defend there his Cause: His Offers being ac­cepted of, he departed imme­diately, laden with very rich Presents for the Chief Officers of the Ottoman Court.

As soon as he was arrived at Constantinople, he desired Au­dience. The Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha, who was so [Page 78]pleased with his Wit, that af­ter two or three Conferences, he intrusted him with his most secret Affairs, and confessed to him that Sultaness Validé, Mo­ther to the Grand Signior, for whom he had but a bare indif­ferency, and that he had dis­posed of all his Inclinations to the Princess Basclari, Sister to his Highness, and Widow to Aslam Bassa Beglierby of Asia; but that the Jealousie of Sul­taness Validé was an Obstacle to all his Pleasures, but that there now came into his mind, a way of freeing himself from the Importunities of this Prin­cess, which was to afford her Love another Object; that for this it was necessary it should be a Man endowed with the Graces of the Body, as well [Page 79]as the Charms of the Mind, and that all this Concurring in his Person, he desired him to go in his place the night following to an assignation ap­pointed with him by the Sul­taness. The Proposition was nice, and he ventured his Life, in case he was discovered, but the desire of so powerful a Mi­nister as this was, were com­mands to him.

This last consideration out­weighed the first. Teckeli shew­ed he thought himself honou­red with the Viziers trust, and protested he was ready to obey his Commands. This Mini­ster having given him the In­structions necessary for getting the Doors opened, and how to deceive the Kistler Agasi, who had the chief care of the Sera­glio, [Page 80]disposed himself to venture his Fortune, and abandoned him­self to it, which was so favoura­ble to him, that he got, with­out opposition, to the Apart­ment of Sultaness Validé; she was surprized to see an Un­known Person come in; but she being informed of the In­trigue between the Vizier and the Princess Basclari, she easi­ly understood, that he had a mind to put the change upon her; but Count Teckeli's Per­son not displeasing her, she was willing to spare him so difficult a Complement as his Circum­stances obliged him to make. She told him she saw very well, that he came in the room of Kara Mustapha, who, proba­bly, had more important Af­fairs [Page 81]upon his hands, than that of making his Court to her; and that she was very willing to pardon the scorn he shewed of her Goodness, since he gave her an opportunity of so happi­ly recovering the loss which she made, by being deprived of his Company. Teckeli endea­voured to excuse him, by rea­son of the weight of Affairs which he was under, being charged with all the Affairs of the Ottoman Empire. The Sultaness soon passed from this Discourse to another sort more tender, and remained so well satisfied with Teckeli, that she often desired to see him. This Count had soon learned the way of making Love in the Seraglio, and how Selams were to be composed, which are the [Page 82]Love-Letters made use of in this Amorous Commerce; he made one as tender, as if he had lived all his time at Constan­tinople, and received, in An­swer, Musk, Amber, and o­ther Aromatick Gums, by which he might perceive his Services were acceptable; but he had Affairs which were more pres­sing than this Amour. It was necessary to destroy Pedi Pol's Faction, and it was to this he applied himself with so much diligence, that the Vizier gran­ted him whatsoever he plea­sed.

Although Teckeli's Person pleased Sultaness Validé ex­treamly, yet she did not forget the Vizier's Perfideousness; and to be revenged of him, she per­swaded the Grand Signior to [Page 83]marry Basclari to the Bassa of Buda. This Prince, who did not penetrate into the motives which induced his Mother to this Affair, easily consented to what she had proposed, and gave, at her request, Count Teckeli the Charge of Condu­cting his Sister into Hungary. The Count's Affairs being now finished, and it not being now safe for him to stay longer in Constantinople, without doing a prejudice to his Party, she would not keep him longer, and thought that Teckeli being very handsom, might, in this long Journey, affect the Heart of her Rival, and blot out of it the Image of Kara Musta­pha.

Teckeli would not, notwith­standing, leave Constantinople, [Page 84]without acquainting the Vizier with the Employment which had been given to him. This unfortunate Lover was seized with a violent Grief, when he learned the trick that Sul­taness Validé had plaid him; he, however, comforted him­self with the hopes, that he might preserve a Correspon­dence with Basclari, by the means of Count Teckeli, and that it would not be hard for him, in the Post wherein he was, and the Credit his Office gave him, to ruine the Bassa of Buda, and to restore Bascla­ri to her former Liberty.

Count Teckeli during the whole Journey discoursed with the Princess concerning Kara Mustapha, and found her very [Page 85]much afflicted to see her self married to any other but this Minister. She desired the Count to visit her often, upon pretence of endeavouring to obtain assi­stance for his Party, to the end they might together take means which might one day joyn her Fate with that of the Vizier.

This Behaviour will seem without doubt, very Criminal to some, and it will hardly be conceived, how a Woman, just going to be married, thinks at the same time of getting ano­ther Husband; but this is not extraordinary to these Prin­cesses, who take Husbands on­ly to inrich themselves with their Spoils, and who some­times have had three or four before they are of Age, to con­summate [Page 86]the Marriage. Every Nation has its Customs, and that which seems most to be blamed in one Country, is commen­dable in another. But this is enough of Moral Reflections, let us return to Count Tec­keli.

When he had put Basclari in­to the Hands of the Bassa of Buda, he took leave of both, after having written to the Vizier, to give him an account of the thoughts of the Sulta­ness, and returned to Alba Ju­lia, where he heard Pedi Pol had been defeated a second time, and taken Prisoner; and there being nothing more now to be feared from the Port, every thing remained in Peace.

In the Spring Teckeli took the Field again with the Tran­silvanian Forces, and having entred Hungary, he went to joyn the Army of the Male­contents, near Lassovia, which he found commanded by Count Vladislaus Wesselini, who had succeeded his Uncle, Count Paul Wesselini, in that Command. Teckeli could not brook obey­ing his Rival, and a Rival by whom he thought himself rui­ned in the thoughts of his Mi­stress; and Wesselini would not yield it to Count Teckeli. Up­on this these two Heads of the Faction quarrelled; the Army took parts with their Generals, and in a moment a pri­vate Quarrel became a Gene­ral Battel. The Hungarians [Page 88]were soon forced to yield to the Transilvanians; Wesselini seeing his Body broken, took flight, accompanied by some few of his Party. Teckeli caused him to be pursued by Count Thekaioli, who com­manded his right Wing; he was soon overtaken, and brought back to his Rival, who sent him Prisoner to Ze­lin. This Tumult ceased with the taking of Wesselini; and Teckeli was immediately acknowledged General by both Armies.

Some days after Teckeli sent Thekaioli into Croatia with the Recruits from Poland, and some Hungarians. The Count having charged a Party of the Imperialists, took Count Seri­ni [Page 89]Prisoner, who commanded them. Princess Ragotski ha­ving heard of her Brother's misfortune, whom she loved very dearly, resolved to write to Teckeli to obtain his Liberty from him; but at the same time she was willing to make him believe she had no kind­ness for him. Her Letter was in the following Terms, which which were to express such con­trary thoughts.

He that Princess Ragotski had entrusted with the Letter, having heard that Count Seri­ni was Thekaioli's Prisoner, be­lieved, the Letter was directed to him, and being mistaken by the likeness of the sound [Page 91]of their Names, gave the Let­ter to this Count, who being willing to make an advantage of the mistake, returned with this Messenger to Mencatz, and carried thither Count Serini. He had entrusted Joshua, who serv'd in his Army, with this Adventure, he being his parti­cular Friend; Joshua resolved to accompany him, and having put the change upon him, con­ducted him to the Princess Ragotski the Dowager; who, hoping to do a great service to the Emperour, if she could make these two Heads of the Party, who were in great con­sideration with them, leave the Malecontent Party; promised Thekaioli he should marry her Daughter, if he could bring o­ver the Army which he com­manded, [Page 92]to the the Emperour's Party, and conducted him her self to Cunegonda her Daugh­ters Chamber, by whom he was very kindly received.

Whilst Thekaioli endeavou­red to please the late Prince Ragotski's Sister, Joshua went to visit the Widow, and make an end of ruining Teckeli in her thoughts, told her, that he would neither answer her Letter, nor grant Count Seri­ni liberty; that by good luck, he was with Teckeli when he received the Letter, and not being able to suffer so much Ingratitude, he had treated himself with Thekaioli, and had engaged him to bring back to her, her Brother. Altho' the Princess was sensibly grieved, at the scorn Teckeli seem'd to [Page 93]have of her, yet she took no notice of it to Joshua, and con­tented her self, with protesting to him, that she should always acknowledge the service which he had done for her. Joshua, who was not satisfied with bare Civilities, pressed extreamly the Princess to reward his faithfulness and Constancy: This earnestness made her suspect something, and she was desi­rous to clear her doubts. She took one night her Brother aside, and asked him so many questions, as well as her Mes­senger, that at last she found Jashua was a Cheat. The Arti­fice which he had used upon this last occasion to surprize her kindness, made her make reflections upon what he had told her of the Amours of [Page 94] Teckeli, with Princess Euphro­sina, and thinking she was to give no more heed to what a Man said who once intended to deceive her, she was very much pleased, to be able to believe her Lover innocent, and resolved to undertake any thing which might procure her an interview with him.

In the mean while, Joshua, who easily perceived that the Princess had discovered his Cheat, fearing he should be arrested at Mencatz, returned to the Army with Thekaioli. The Officers of the Army, who had heard that the Count came from a Place, which ought to be suspected by them, would not acknowledge him any more for their General, [Page 95]until they first knew Count Teckeli's thoughts, which for­ced him to go to Vienna with Joshua. This last made there his peace; but the Dowager Princess Ragotski, would not now accept of him for her Son-in-Law, he having no more the Command which he had of those Forces, which he com­manded before.

Thekaioli, seeing his measures broken on all sides, went into Transilvania, and having given a Visit to Count Wesselini in his Prison; he told him Jo­shua's Treachery, and all he had said to Princess Ragotski, to perswade her that Teckeli was in love with Princess Euphro­sina. Wesselini who had heard that the principal Cause of his [Page 96]Confinement, was, that Tecke­li was jealous; that it was he who had made this false report to Princess Ragotski, let him know that Joshua was the Author of it. Count Teckeli would not at first believe Wesselini upon his bare word only, but by good luck the Prisoner, Joshua commanding a Party of the Imperialists, fell into an Am­buscade, and was brought to Count Teckeli, who interro­gated him, in particular con­cerning this Treachery. Joshua, to whom life was become bur­thensome, since he had lost the hopes of possessing the Prin­cess, confessed all to his Rival, who sent him to the Council of War. His Sentence was soon passed, he was found with Arms in his hands, against the [Page 97]Malecontents, of which Party he had been a long time, and so he was looked upon as a Rebel, and condemned to be beheaded, which Sentence was immediately executed upon him.

Count Teckeli, who valued himself upon his strict justice, thought he ought not to de­fer any longer the setting Wesselini at Liberty, after ha­ving punished the Person who was alone guilty of the Crime, whereof he had accused Wesse­lini. He therefore recalled Thekaioli, because he had gi­ven him the opportunity of discovering a truth, the clear­ing of which was of the grea­test consequence imaginable to him. But it was not enough [Page 98]to know from whence his Disease proceeded, but it was necessary for him to cure it, and to undeceive Princess Ra­gotski. But now he could not leave the Army without hazar­ding his Person, and the Inte­rests of his Party. In this perplexity he cast his Eyes up on Thekaioli, who seemed pro­per to him to manage this Negotiation: He was known to the Princess, he had been already at Mencatz, he had a pretence of returning thither, which was his Marriage with the Princess Cunigunda; and there was no reason which might render him suspicious to this unfortunate Lover. When The­kaioli was returned to the Ar­my, Teakeli informed him of his Intentions, and having [Page 99]given him a Letter to the Prin­cess, he sent him away with all speed to Meneatz.

Thekaioli arriving there, found the Dowager Princess Ragotski dead, which gave him a more easie access to her Daughter-in-Law, he desired he might have Audience, and having obtained his Request, presented to her Count Tecke­li's Letter, wherein she read that which follows.

The Princess would not de­fer giving Teckeli the satisfacti­on of letting him know he had fully cleared himself to her, she immediately took the pen in her hand, and answered him in these Terms.

Count Teckeli had no sooner read the Letter, but he thought how to remove the Obstacles which opposed his happiness. He sent Deputies to the Em­perour, to promise him he would return to his Obedience, upon Condition he would con­sent to his Marriage with Prin­cess Ragotski; but this Prince having caused this Proposition to be considered of by his Council, he was advised not to accept of it, for fear lest Teckeli might become too pow­erful by this Alliance, and that being pushed on by Princess Ragotski, who had without doubt inherited the ambiti­ous thoughts of her Mother, he should undertake some more dangerous Enterprize than the former.

Count Teckeli seeing all gentle ways stopped, thought of assuring himself by his Arms, of the happiness which was refused to him, and to make himself King of Hungary, that he might marry without the Emperours consent. He thought it necessary for the putting this design in execution, to make a stricter Alliance with the Grand Vizier; and as he could not do it without flattering the Passion which he had for Basclari, he sent him word it was necessary to ingage the Grand Signior to declare War against the Emperor, and that he should send an Order to the Bassa of Buda to join his Army to his, because then it might be easie to make the Bassa's hehaviour suspected by his Master.

Teckeli did not find it diffi­cult to perswade the Vizier, what he so much vvished for, because he looked upon the War of Hungary, as a means for him to be near his Prin­cess. He made it be approved of by the Grand Signior, and sent orders to the Bassa of Buda, to act as he should re­ceive directions from Count Teckeli.

Towards the end of the Campagne, the Count did not fail of writing to the Grand Vizier, that he had not been well seconded by the Bassa of Buda, and that he had infal­libly taken Zathmar and Ca­lo, if this Bassa had come to him at the time he directed him. The Vizier shewed the [Page 105]Letter to the Grand Signior, and perswaded him to send for the Bassa and Teckeli to Con­stantinople, that he might hear the Complaints and Excuses of each, and know better which of them was in the right.

They both obeyed the Grand Signior's Commands. But altho' the Grand Vizier suppor­ted strongly Teckeli's Com­plaints, the Sultaness Validé knew so cunningly how to a­vert the Storm, which threat­ned Ibrahim Bassa of Buda, whom the Grand Signior sent back to his Government, with order only to follow diligent­ly, Count Teckeli's Directions. In the mean while, the Vizier, who would not be ungrateful to this Count, commanded him by the Grand Signior's Order, [Page 106]to make himself be Crowned King of Hungary in Buda, with all the Pomp and Magnificence which could be; Teckeli shew­ed his gratefulness to this Mi­nister, and promised him to continue his Services for him, to the Princess Basclari. After he had taken his leave of the Vizier, he rerurned to Buda with the Bassa, and being come thither, gave an account to the Princess Ragotski, and Prince Abafti, of the success of his Journey. Ibrahim on his side made known to all the Bassas of Hungary, the orders which he had received from the Grand Signior, and commanded them to repair immediately to Buda, to assist at the Coronation of Count Teckeli. He prepared in the mean time a Throne, in the [Page 107]great Hall of the Palace, where­in the Ancient Kings of Hun­gary recided heretofore, and ha­ving ordered it to be furnished with his richest Hangings, he fixed the Day of this Ceremo­ny, to be upon the first day of November; and having seated all the Bassas upon Benches on each side of the Throne; he deputed two of them to wait upon Count Teckeli in his Ap­partment, and conduct him; so soon as he appeared, Ibrahim who was seated upon the Throne with Princess Basclari, who came to the Ceremony (contrary to the Customs of the Turks, which forbids their Wo­men ever to appear in publick) and to shew the more respect to the Count, came down from the Throne, and went forwards to [Page 108]meet him. He at the same time, took off his Hungarian Bonnet, and put on his Head a Turbant, to signifie that he submitted himself to the Grand Signior, and that he held the Crown of Hungary but by his liberality. He then put the Scepter into his right hand, and a Mace of Arms in his left hand, whilst the Bassa of Buda threw over his Shoulders the Royal Man­tles. Basclari came after­wards down to the lowest after­wards down to the lowest step of the Throne, and having made a sign to Teckeli to draw near, and having given him her Hand, made him come up in­to the place which Ibrahim had left empty. At the same time all the Hungarian Officers, which had accompanied the new King to this Ceremony, [Page 109]came to swear Fealty to him, kneeling with one Knee on the Ground, and to kiss his Hand. After this he was waited upon back into his own Apartment, by the same Officers, and by several Bassas. As soon as he was freed from this troublesome throng of People, he took a Pen in his Hand, and wrote to Princess Ragotski the follow­ing Letter.

He sent this Letter to her by Thekaioli, and Princess Ra­gotski returned him at the same time this Answer.

Altho' Count Teckeli was extreamly fatisfied to find Prin­cess Ragotski in this Dispositi­on, it troubled him inwardly, that the Princess so cunningly twitted him, with his having only the Name of a King. Al­though the season was not very proper to make War in, he drew together as many Turks, Male­content Hungarians and Tran­silvanians as he could, and went to besiege Cassovia, which he took within a few days; and having forced Esperies, and ma­ny other places, to acknow­ledge him for their Soveraign, he assembled the Diet at Casso­via the first day of February, that he might exercise all the rights of Soveraignty, and afterwards went to Mencatz, [Page 112]wherein Princess Ragotski, suf­fered him to put a Garrison, as also into all other places which belonged to her Husband, and he afterwards married this Princess with great Pomp and Ceremony some days after Easter. In the Month of May the Grand Vizier came to Bu­da, where Count Teckeli came to wait upon him. A little while afterwards the Grand Signior came to Belgrade, where the Siege of Vienna was resol­ved upon. Kara Mustapha went into the Field in the beginning of June, and he afterwards, as it is said, invested that place with an Army of near two hun­dred thousand Men, but with what success we all know.