Teleki observed the movement, and added emphatically—
"I perceive that no one here has the courage to put down his name first on the list. Nevertheless I have already found a man, who in dignity and power is every whit Banfi's equal, and when once he has subscribed the list, the other signatures will follow as a matter of course."
"And who may that be?" asked Apafi.
"Paul Beldi!"
The Prince shook his head.
"He won't do it. He is much too honourable a man for that."
Wine-inspired as this sentence was, it completely ruffled Teleki's equanimity. Turning vehemently upon the Prince he cried—
"Then you mean to imply that we are acting dishonourably?"
"I meant to say that Beldi is never very willing to pick a quarrel with anybody. He is a peace-abiding man."
"But I know his sore point, and if you but touch it with the tip of your finger, he'll answer with his clenched fist, and the lamb will become a lion. I'll get him to——"