greeted him cordially. Forval, hearing that
something was being read aloud, said to the young nobleman:

"Will you not lose the thread of the deliberation?"

"The present business can go on without me; the measures which are now
being carried turn on the question how many dishes a man should set
before his servant; or at the most how the poor can be made to grow
rich so they can pay their taxes. As soon as they come to important
matters I will be in my place."

"Come then and tell me meantime, which are worthy men here and which
are not. In Transylvania everybody is known, of course."

"This classification is not at all easy. Before I had ever been out of
Transylvania, and while I belonged either to one party or the other, I
was convinced that all the adherents of my party were worthy men but
those on the opposite side were worth nothing. But since I have lived
in foreign lands and been somewhat withdrawn from the sight of
political machinery I begin to see that one may really be as good a
patriot, as brave a fighter and as honest a man in one party as in the
other. It all depends on which is managing affairs more intelligently.
However, if you wish I will share with you my party views; you can
then form your own opinions. This man of proud bearing at the Prince's
right is Dionysius Banfy, the one at his left is Paul Beldi; both are
among the most distinguished lords of the country and both are
decidedly opposed to the impending war. At the same time they are
opposed to each other. On one point only do they stand together. Banfy
is evidently in league with the Roman Emperor and the other with the
Turk. According to their opinion Transylvania is quite strong enough
to drive out any foe which forces its way into the territory, and
sensible enough not to strive after the possessions of others. Now
turn your eyes toward that man with thin hair at the Prince's left. It
is this man's clearness that holds the two in check. He is a near
kinsman of the Prince's, and when the Hungarian National party has
been overthrown he will again take up the unsuccessful campaign. The
contest between the strength and cunning of these three men is going
to offer an interesting spectacle."

"What if the peace party should prevail?"

"Then the nation will have closed its career."

"And the king cannot oppose this?"

"Here, my friend, we are not at the court of Versailles where the king
may be allowed to say 'L'Etat c'est moi.' These men