and with steady hand wrote his name under that of Michael
Apafi's. A smile of triumph played about Teleki's lips. When that had
been accomplished there was once more a threatening, an accusing knock
at Beldi's heart. He laid his hand on the paper and turned with
serious glance toward Teleki.

"I make one condition," he said, hoarsely. "If Banfy does not oppose
his arrest with weapons right and justice must be granted him
according to legal forms."

"It shall be so--just so," replied the Prince's counsellor, and
reached for the paper.

And still Beldi did not give it up. Still he did not let it go out of
his hand.

"My lord," he said, "promise me also, that you will not put Banfy to
death secretly, but when he is arrested you will bring suit against
him according to the usual mode of procedure, in a regular court of
justice. If you do not assure me of this, then I will tear this paper
in two and throw it into the fire with the Prince's signature and
mine."

"I assure you, on my word!" promised the Princely counsellor, at the
same time inwardly smiling at the man who while he was still upright
showed himself weak, and when he had already fallen strove to show
himself firm.

With the League signed Teleki went the same day to Ladislaus Csaki,
from him to Haller and then to Bethlen. As soon as they saw Beldi's
name they signed, for all hated Banfy. In every house the husbands
fell out with their wives. Nowhere did Teleki escape calumny.
Nevertheless the League was established.

So Transylvania made her own grave.

CHAPTER XVIII

WIFE AND ODALISQUE

Since that painful interview Madame Banfy had not seen her husband.
Fate had willed that Banfy should remain away continually; he was
hardly back from the assembly at Karlsburg when he was called to
Somlyo where his troops had taken a stand against the Turks. During
the few hours he had spent in his house in the intervals, his wife had
secluded herself from him and had not admitted any of the retinue to
her presence. She did not leave her room, and received nobody.

One day both husband and wife were invited to be god-parents at
Roppand, in the house of Gabriel Vitez to whom a son had been born,
and who knew nothing of the existing variance. It was impossible to
refuse the invitation. On the appointed day Madame Banfy from
Bonczida, and her husband from Somlyo, to their mutual surprise met at
the house of rejoicing. At first they shrank from meeting each ot