as the more urgent as he had recognized
Teleki's carriage in the courtyard, which he should have preceded.

Madame Beldi broke open the letter, and read:

"MY DEAR FRIEND: Michael Teleki has gone to your
husband. His purpose is to ruin Banfy secretly by
Beldi's hand. The nobles have taken an oath to break
the law. Fortunately every one of them has a wife in
whose heart the better feelings are not yet dead. I
have called on each one separately to guard her
husband against Teleki's malice. I hope to attain the
greatest result through you. Beldi is the most
distinguished among them; if he agrees to the League
the rest will follow his example; but he is also the
most honorable man and the best husband. I count on
your firmness; use every means.

"Your friend,
"ANNA BORNEMISSA."

Madame Beldi almost gave way when she read this letter. Teleki had
been talking for half-an-hour with her husband and the servants had
brought word that every one had been ordered away from the lords'
vicinity, even from the entrance hall. The entire situation became
clear to the lady's mind at once. She was terrified! perhaps it was
already too late and she could not get to her husband. What should she
do? Then she remembered the secret way from her room to her husband's
and she hurried along, reached the arras door, stood there and
listened. She heard only the voice of Teleki, who spoke with growing
passion amounting to vehemence. She looked through the key hole and
saw how Teleki knelt before her husband and with upraised hands and
oaths sought to persuade him. At this sight Madame Beldi was
terror-stricken. Why did the proud, powerful man kneel before Beldi?
What was he swearing so passionately? Suddenly Banfy's name rang on
her ear. Horror seized her, and at the moment when Beldi answered:
"Let justice prevail though the world fall," she thought in her
ignorance of Latin that her husband had consented, and in her despair
she pressed the latch of the door. When this did not open she pulled
at it with frenzied strength and shouted passionately; "My husband, my
beloved master! Lord of my heart! Do not believe one word Teleki says,
for he will ruin you!"

At this passionate outcry the man started up in affright and Beldi
arose with annoyance, went to the door and said to his wife angrily:
"Stay in your own province, my wife."

Madame Beldi lost