The lady threw herself upon her husband's breast and sobbed aloud.
"What! have they not released you?" inquired Banfi anxiously.
"I would not be released," answered Margaret. "How could I forsake you in your prison?"
The tears came to Banfi's eyes. Speechless he sank to the ground, and covered her hands with glowing kisses.
"While we were what the world calls happy we might avoid each other," said Margaret, with a choking voice, "but misfortune has brought us together again," and she bowed her head to kiss her husband's forehead.
Banfi fell senseless at her feet. It was more than even his strong soul could bear.
CHAPTER X.
THE SENTENCE.
The Diet, hastily summoned to Fehervár, strongly disapproved of the secret proceedings against Banfi. Paul Beldi was the first to declare that even if Banfi could be arrested by means of a league, a Diet was the only tribunal which could try him, and insisted that he should have every opportunity of defending himself.
The Prince came to the Diet with red eyes, an aching head, and a very irritable temper—the usual witnesses of a drunken debauch.