"Of course! of course!" returned Banfi, with an offensive smile. "You are on my property, and that is certainly lawful ground. I don't know how to express my gratitude for such an honour. No doubt you are tired too. I therefore invite you all to Bonczhida, just to take a little pot-luck with me."
"We are much obliged," returned Csaky angrily, "but we are unable just now to accept your invitation."
"Nay, nay; you'll not put me off. It is not my practice to let those who have come to me as guests depart hungry and thirsty. I cannot regard you as poachers, I suppose? And if you are not poachers, you must be guests."
"A third case is also possible."
"I know of none."
"Your Excellency shall learn from me that there is, though."
"Quite right. But there will be time for that at table. So turn your horses' heads towards Bonczhida, gentlemen."
"I've already said that we can't accept your invitation."
"What! Are you so ill acquainted with my hospitality as not to know that, if necessary, I will carry you off by force? Ha, ha! You must take away with you a reminiscence of Bonczhida. As you know now what my wild animals are like, you must make the acquaintance of my domestic animals also. In any case, I mean to take you by force."
"A truce to jesting, Banfi. This is not the place for it."