Manasseh | Page 5

Transylvania it is the custom to make the higher government
appointments from all four of the recognised religious sects,--Roman
Catholic, Calvinist, Lutheran, and Unitarian. From that time dates our
mutual hostility."
"Then you are enemies, after all."
"In politics, yes. However, I must not bore you ladies with political
questions. Suffice it to say, then, in regard to Manasseh Adorjan, that a
sudden change of government policy, and the defeat of his party, gave
the young man a fall from his proud eminence and led him to turn his
back, for a time at least, on his native land; for he scorned to seek the
preferment that was so easily within his reach by renouncing his
principles and joining the opposite party."
"Now I understand," interposed the blond lady, "what he meant by his
'divorce case,' and his parting with one who had denied and rejected
him, but whom he could never cease to love. Those were his words,
and they referred to his country."
"Yes, probably," assented the other; "for the young man is unmarried."
At the next station the subject of this conversation suddenly
reappeared.
"Ah, we thought you were lost," exclaimed the elder of the two ladies,
with a not unfriendly smile.
"Oh, no, not lost," returned Manasseh; "what belongs nowhere and to
no one cannot be lost. I merely took a seat on the imperial. Come,
friend Gabriel,"--turning to the ladies' escort,--"will you not join me
there? The view is really fine, and we can smoke also."
The one thus familiarly addressed, and whose name was Gabriel

Zimandy, accepted the invitation after a moment's demur. The ladies
were left to themselves.
CHAPTER II.
A LIFE'S HAPPINESS AT STAKE.
"A splendid country this!" exclaimed Gabriel Zimandy, when he had
lighted his meerschaum and found himself at leisure to survey the
landscape. "Too bad the Austrians have their grip on it!"
"Look here," interposed Manasseh, "suppose we steer clear of politics.
Do you agree?"
"Did I say anything about politics?" retorted Gabriel. "I merely alluded
to the beautiful view. Well, then, we'll talk about beautiful women if
you prefer. You little know what a tender spot you touched upon with
the ladies. I refer to the brunette--not to the blond, with whom you were
talking."
"Ah, is the other a brunette? I did not get a good look at her."
"But she got a good look at you, while you were discussing the duties
of women toward their husbands, the subject of divorce, and Heaven
knows what else besides."
"And did I awaken any unpleasant reminiscences?" asked the young
man.
"Not in the bosom of your fair antagonist,--she is already a widow,--but
in that of her companion, who sat silent and listened to all you said. She
is on her way to Rome to petition the Pope to annul her marriage."
"Is that so!" exclaimed Manasseh, in surprise. "I should have said she
was just out of a convent where she had been placed to be educated."
"What eyes you have! Even without looking at her you have guessed
her age to a month, I'll warrant! She is my client, the unfortunate

Princess Cagliari, née Countess Blanka Zboroy. You know the family:
their estates are entailed, so that all but the eldest son have to shift for
themselves as best they can. The younger sons go into the army or the
Church, and the daughters are wedded to rich husbands, or else they
take the veil. But it so happened that once upon a time a rich bishop
belonging to this family made a will directing that his property be
allowed to accumulate until it became large enough to provide a snug
fortune of a million florins for each of his relatives; and this end was
recently realised. But by the terms of the will, the heirs are allowed
only the usufruct of this legacy, and, furthermore, even that is to be
forfeited under certain circumstances, as for example, if allegiance be
refused to the reigning dynasty, or if the legatee renounce the Roman
Catholic faith, or, in the case of a woman, lead an unchaste life. Any
part of the estate thus forfeited goes to the remaining legatees in an
equal division, and so you can imagine what a sharp watch the several
beneficiaries under this will keep over one another. A million is no
bagatelle; the game is worth the candle. But to come back to our
starting-point, Countess Blanka was joined in marriage with Prince
Cagliari as soon as she left the convent. You must know the prince, at
least by reputation; he plays no small part in the political world."
"I have met him several times," replied Manasseh.
"At court balls in Vienna, doubtless," said the advocate; "for, old as
Cagliari is, he still turns night