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 feel so strong a desire to show our respect and good wishes that I have almost worked myself ill to finish it. But I am convalescing fast, and I wish you could be with us. My husband joins me in sending you every good wish. Every body seems glad here, and they are all kind and good.’

“Now,” added Ladislaus, almost in a fury, “my good brother-in-law is a prisoner in a dungeon; his wife and children, his castles and his lands are assailed by a wanton conspiracy hatched by a concubine and a bastard.”

Solomon made no attempt to allay the king’s wrath; expecting that when its transport subsided Ladislaus would listen patiently to the report he desired to lay before him.

“I would chastise Wenzel,” thundered the king, “despite the fact that he is the emperor’s son-in-law. I know Rudolph dare not defend such proceedings against my plain right and duty. I am under solemn promise to Burchard von Schwenden, the Teutonic grand master, to aid his present efforts. His knights are scarcely able to hold their own against the desperate courage of the Samlanders and Obodriti, and the men of Liefland and of Pogesania; and at times, as before Riga, they suffer bloody discomfiture. But let Bohemia beware. Other kings of Hungary will arise; and my sister’s grief at the hands of a wanton may cost the Premysls dear.”

Solomon attempted to pour oil on this blaze by alluding to the certainty that so grievous an assault on an important section of the population must alien-