willingly, fasten his legs firmly to the
stirrups."

"I protest against this violence," said Csaki, raging. "I call upon
you to bear witness that I have entered a protest against this law of
violence."

"And I, on my part, call on everybody to witness," said Banfy,
laughing as he imitated him; "that I have invited these gentlemen in
the most friendly fashion to a banquet."

"I protest it is violence!"

"It is diversion--Hungarian hospitality."

Some of the gentlemen laughed and the rest cursed. Finally, since
Banfy had the power, Csaki's men sullenly yielded to the act of
violence and allowed themselves to be led away to Bonczida.

Along the road Csaki called out to all who met them. He called on them
to bear witness that Banfy was doing them an act of violence, while
Banfy in turn laughingly strove to make it clear to them that the
noble gentleman was a little befogged and that they were playing him a
joke befitting nobility.

"You will be sorry for this yet," snarled Csaki, beside himself with
rage.

As they were passing through a village one of Csaki's suite, a young
nobleman called Szantho by his comrades, made his way out of the
throng and before they could pursue him, was out of sight.

"The Devil take him!" said Banfy. "However we can sport merrily
without him can we not, my Lord Ladislaus Csaki?"

Gradually Csaki regained his composure and laid aside his anger. As
they came to Bonczida he wore a smiling countenance for he saw that it
would be unbecoming and ridiculous in the presence of ladies to wear
an angry expression, so without annoyance he allowed himself to be
presented to Madame Banfy and Madame Apafi as a guest picked up by the
way.

Banfy crowned his insult by pointing Csaki to the seat of honor at the
upper end of the table near his wife, placed himself opposite and
bestowed on him constantly the highest expressions of honor, at the
same time allowing the most biting scorn to show through. Csaki did
not dare have it seen to what extent he felt this. The merrier their
spirits grew toward the close of the meal, the more exasperated Csaki
became. He sat on burning coals and had to smile. At last Banfy
thought of one more vexation for him. Taking up his glass he drank to
his health. Csaki had to accept the civility and empty his glass and
so face Banfy's laugh. Every drop of the liquor turned to poison under
this scornful laughter; and the torture was so subtly veiled that the
two ladies