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130 As he made his way to the palace two circumstances added to his grief, the grief of the patriot and of the husband. He saw Count Michael, his wife's brother, together with his own little son, being dragged to prison, and in the queen's hall he met Melinda, whose mind was wandering. The queen discerned the storms raging in the heart of Bánk, and to cut short his reproaches, com­menced the attack in order to drive him to self-defence. "Is this an honourable thing which you have done?" she asks. "You have left your duty and come hither secretly like a thief in the night. You have sinned agaiost your own dignity and mine also. ls it h onour­ able?" Bánk answered with bitter defiance. "No, it is not honourable. My honour has been destroyed by the destruction of Melinda. It has been taken from me together with my brother Michael and my son. " And then, with growing vehemence, he reproached the queen for the evil she had done in the country. In vain Gertrude, who gradually began to realise the imminent danger of the situation, cried, "Subject! Bondsman!" Bánk retorted with dignity, "No! I am your judge and your superlor here." Gertrude, seeing that her regal dignity had no weight with Bánk, appealed to his knighthood and demanded the consideration due to a woman. But her words merely awakened in Bánk contempt for a woman who had lent her aid to her brother in his nefa­rious intrigue. Otto appeared unexpectedly for a moment, but seeing Bánk, he tied. This added to the palatine's wrath. The queen, perceiving that she was entirely in Bánk's power, and divining his purpose, resolved to kill him. She gped a dagger, intending to stab Bánk, and he, observing the motion, snatched it from her hand and stabbed her. The deed was no sooner done than Bánk