n this case," replied
Banfy, as he fastened up his coat. "That is a privilege by
establishment and concerns the Prince. It is true the territory is
mine but the affairs must come up before him for judgment."

"This is the reply that the Prince made me, only reversed: 'It is true
the decision in the matter is mine, but the territory is Banfy's, and
you must go to him.'"

Banfy smiled good-naturedly, but Koncz did not find the affair so
entertaining.

"Listen, there is no way for me to turn, even though justice is most
clearly on my side."

Banfy shrugged his shoulders.

"You would like to have justice, worthy sir, but that can hardly be
attained."

"Then he is as badly off as I am," cried a voice, and as Banfy looked,
he saw Madame Szent-Pali coming toward him. The great lord acted as if
he had not noticed the widow and fingered indifferently the diamond
clasp of his cloak; but the widow placed herself directly in front of
him and began to speak:

"Your Grace has been pleased to look beyond me, but it is in vain. I
am here, even though unbidden."

Banfy looked at her without a word, half smiling and half amused.

"Or has your Grace perhaps forgotten my name?" asked the woman,
sharply, and smiting her breast. "I am the noble, well-born"--

"And knightly," said Banfy, completing her words with a laugh.

"I am the widow of George Szent-Pali," continued the lady, without
allowing herself to be disconcerted,--"whose family in all its
branches is quite as noble as is the Prince himself, and that too
since the beginning of the world. I have never forgotten my name when
asked, and have already stood in the presence of princes and generals
greater even than your Grace."

"Well, well, gracious lady, I know that already, I have heard it so
often. Tell me quickly now anything good that you may have to say."

"Quickly! I suppose your Grace thinks that a few words will set forth
what has been a lawsuit between us now for four years, and between the
town and my family for sixty-three."

"To cut it short I will tell you the story," interrupted Banfy. "The
gracious lady may then make her additions. The gracious lady owns a
dilapidated little house in the centre of the Klausenburg market
place"--

"The idea! A manor house just as good as your Grace's castle!"

"These barracks have for a long time disfigured the market place. It
was in vain the city council entered into negotiations with your
family--went before the c