attained to such despotism that the arm of
the law is no longer strong enough to bring him into the courts, then
he has only himself to thank if the state is compelled to conspire
against him. The man who cannot be reached by the executioner's axe
is struck by the dagger of the assassin. When Dionysius Banfy set at
naught the commands of the Prince and began war on his own account he
put himself outside the law. In such a case when the justice of the
state has lost its authority it is natural to take refuge in secret
justice. If anybody has wronged me and the law cannot procure me
satisfaction I make use of my own weapons and shoot him down wherever
I find him. If the country is wronged by anybody who escapes
punishment, it must make use of the jus ligatum and have the man
seized. The general welfare demands this and the general peril drives
us to it."

"God's hand controls us," said Beldi. "If he will destroy our
fatherland let us bow our heads and die with a quiet conscience--die
in the defence of liberty; but let us never raise our arms to the
destruction of our own hereditary justice. Rather let us endure the
evils that have their origin in this freedom, than lay the axe to its
very root. Let war and conflict over freedom enter our land rather
than any conspiracy contrary to its laws. The one sheds the blood of
the nation but the other kills her soul. I disapprove of this League
and will fight against it."

At this Michael Teleki rose, fell on his knees before Beldi and said
with his hands raised to heaven:

"I swear by the Almighty Living God: so may he grant me salvation,
protect my life, prosper my wife, my children, as I am your true
friend; and because I know that Banfy's every effort is directed to
destroy you and your home therefore do I announce to you that if you
love your life, that of your wife, your children, you must meet this
impending danger by signing the League. Now I have said all that I
could to save you and the fatherland and that too at my own peril. I
wash my hands in innocence."

Beldi turned in calm dignity toward the Prince's minister and said in
a tone of firm conviction:

"Fiat justitia, pereat mundus."

* * * * *

A few minutes after Teleki's arrival at Bodola a rider came bounding
into the castle yard. It was Andrew the faithful old servant of Madame
Apafi, who inquired for Madame Beldi, handed her a letter from the
Princess and added that this w