The others did not understand what he meant at the time, but they have learnt since.
"My friends," he began in a softer voice than he had yet used, "my kind friends, you see how this news has affected me. Will you give me time to think it over?"
They were about to withdraw in order to leave him alone with his thoughts.
"Will your Majesty believe that all I have is at your Majesty's disposal?" said Brockford, in an undertone before he left.
Max started as if he had been stung.
"No, no!" he cried, "you must not call me that."
An hour later he was back at Brockford's house at Paquetá, where for some hours he shut himself up and would see nobody. He was fighting the greatest battle of his life. During the afternoon he called for all the newspapers that could be procured, in order that he might study the war from its commencement. Later on he left his room and found the other two men in the garden. Traces of the struggle he had passed through still lingered on his face as he greeted them. It was plainly seen that he had arrived at a decision.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I ask you to give me your words of honour, that what I am about to say shall never pass your lips."
He waited for them to speak. They looked first at each other and then at him. At last they gave him their assurance that his wish should be respected.
"I have fought it out by myself," he said, "and have come to a conclusion. I shall return to Pannonia at once!"