point. All his muscles quivered with rage
and shame.

"My lords,"--rang out a bell-like voice, the sound of which was
grateful in this rude contest of men. It was Madame Apafi who had
stepped between the prostrate lady and the men.--"Formerly noble men
were wont to honor noble women."

"You are on hand again, to defend those whom I bring to justice," said
the Prince, with annoyance.

"I am on hand to save your Highness from an injustice; to defend my
sister is always my right; when everybody fails her then it certainly
is my duty."

With these words the Princess put her arms around Margaret who,
feeling herself supported by the stronger nature suddenly sank down in
a faint in her sister's arms, her overtaxed physical and mental
strength failing her. Banfy would have hastened to his wife's aid but
Madame Apafi held him back.

"Go," she said, "I will assume the care of her."

"So you intend to remain here?" said the Prince to his wife, in a tone
wavering between anger and sympathy.

"My sister needs me--and you, I see, do not."

Since Apafi had heard his wife speak his voice had become noticeably
dejected, and fearing that she would utterly rout him he left the
battlefield in great haste with only half a triumph.

The Prince was naturally very much dissatisfied with this result. He
felt that Banfy had been struck in a weak spot and at the same time
that the blow was not deadly. The great lord had been affronted but
not humbled. So much the worse for him!

What will not bend must break!

CHAPTER XV

THE DIET OF KARLSBURG

The states of the country were already assembled in Karlsburg, in the
stately palace of John Sigmund. Only the Prince's place was still
vacant. There sat in a row the Transylvanian patricians, the leaders
of the Hungarian nobility, the most influential by intelligence,
wealth, and bravery; the Bethlens, Kornis, Csakis, Lazars, Kemenys,
Mikes and Banfys. The will of these mediaeval clans represented the
nation, their deeds shaped its history, their ancestors, grandfathers
and fathers, had fallen on the battlefield in defence of their princes
or, in case they had risen against them, on the scaffold; and yet
their descendants did not fail to follow the example of their
forefathers. A new prince came to the helm and they took up the sword
fallen from the hand of their fathers to wield it for or against him,
as fate willed.

In picturesque contrast to the splendor of the Hungarian