"If we don't he will force upon us as Prince the refugee Nicholas Zolyomi, now under the protection of the Porte."
"Let him come! We will kick him out again."
"Bravely spoken! But the Prince, weary of so much discord, and somewhat fearful besides, has resolved to amnesty Zolyomi and allow him to return."
"In God's name let him do so then!"
"Right, quite right! But your lordship knows very well that Zolyomi's estates are now in your lordship's possession; the Prince therefore finds himself compelled to request your lordship to surrender these estates to the returning Zolyomi, if it would not greatly inconvenience your lordship."
Nalaczi had been a little too curt in the delivery of his message, although he had done his best to sugar it with respectful epithets.
"What!" cried Banfi, stepping back, "do you really suppose that I will give up these estates? The Diet gave them to me with the onerous condition of equipping at my own cost twelve regiments for the defence of the country. That onerous condition I have faithfully fulfilled, and now you fancy that I shall surrender the estates merely because there is to be one fool the more in the land? Preposterous!"
"But if the Prince wishes it!"
"I'll not give them up whoever wishes it."
"And that is the answer I'm to take back?"