At that moment the door opened, and, to every one's astonishment, the Princess entered the room.
Nevertheless, her appearance at this time was no freak of chance. You could see by her agitation that she was well aware of what was going on. The lords were confused, and Apafi, despite his tipsy wrath, became so frightened when he beheld the pale face of his consort that he whispered to Teleki—
"For heaven's sake put that document out of sight."
Only Teleki kept his countenance, and instead of hiding the parchment, ostentatiously spread it out before him.
"What are you doing?" asked the Princess. She was very pale, and her bosom heaved tempestuously.
"We are holding a council," replied Teleki grimly.
"A council?" repeated Anna, approaching nearer and nearer to the table.
"Yes; and we venture to ask your Highness by what right you intrude here, while we are deliberating over the most momentous affairs of state?" continued Teleki in a hard, dry tone.
"Deliberating over the most momentous affairs of state, eh?" repeated the lady, measuring Teleki with a searching look. Then with a loud, vibrating voice she exclaimed—"What mean these wine-cups then? You are holding a council of state when the head of the state is drunk, that you may sow discord and confusion."
Teleki sprang from his seat and turned towards the Prince—