w how to give counsel in such
affairs?" Apafi asked, with annoyance.

"I know of only one remedy that will heal the evil thoroughly."

"Prescribe it. What are the means?"

"The jus ligatum."

In spite of his drunkenness Apafi shrank from this suggestion; he
threw himself into an armchair and gazed fixedly at Teleki.

"Are you not ashamed?" he mumbled in the broken sentences of the
drunken--"to propose a secret league against a free nobleman?--in
violation of the fundamental law of our country to bind yourself in
secret against him?"

"The shame does not fall on me," replied Teleki, quietly and steadily,
"it rests rather in the fact that the country has not sufficient power
to bring a rebel to justice; that in our fatherland there is a man who
can openly defy the law and deride the decisions of the Prince. When
in such a case there is no alternative except the jus ligatum, the
shame for such a state of affairs does not fall upon me but on the
Prince!"

Apafi sprang from his seat in anger and paced the room with long
strides. The lords watched him in deep silence. At length he stopped
beside Teleki and leaning on the back of his chair asked:

"How do you think the league can be brought about?" Nalaczy and
Szekeli smiled at each other; evidently the idea had impressed the
Prince. Teleki motioned to Szekeli to bring writing materials and a
roll of parchment and arranging these before him replied:

"We will draw up at once the counts of the indictment that can be
brought against Banfy; your Highness shall sign them and in secret we
will win over the nobles of the country to agree to Banfy's arrest and
to stand by the league before any legal steps are taken."

At this many of the lords present began to chew their beards
thoughtfully. Teleki noticed the movement and said pertinently:

"As I observe that nobody here has the courage to give his signature
first, I have a man all ready who alone is in a position so far as
power is concerned to oppose Banfy and when once this man has signed
all the rest will follow."

"Who is that?" asked Apafi.

"Paul Beldi," was the answer.

The Prince shook his head.

"He will not do it. He is far too honorable a man." These words spoken
in the bravery of his intoxication threw Teleki completely out of his
composure.

"Are we then planning a dishonorable action?" he demanded of the
Prince, vehemently.

"What I meant to say was that he would not voluntarily begin action
ag