He had completed his arrangements, when he received a letter from Maceroni, informing him that the latter was upon his way to Ajaccio, and that he was bringing good news with him.
He waited a day for him, and Maceroni, when he appeared, presented Murat with a note written in French:
“His Majesty the Emperor of Austria [it ran] will grant an asylum to King Joachim on the following conditions:
“First. That the King shall assume a private name; and the Queen having taken that of Lipano, the same is proposed to the King.
“Second. That the King shall reside in one of the cities of Bohemia, Moravia, or Upper Austria, or, if he should prefer it, in the country; but in one of these provinces.
“Third. That he shall pledge his word of honour not to quit the Austrian territory without the express permission of the Emperor, and to live as a private individual, subject to the laws of the Austrian Monarchy.”
It was signed by Metternich, and dated from Paris, on the 1st of September.
But Joachim, in spite of his friend’s entreaties, would have none of it.
“Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.” Joachim’s soul was aflame now and he spoke contemptuously of the offer.
“A prison, then,” he cried, “is to be my asylum! A prison is a tomb, and nothing remains for a King who has lost his throne but the death of a soldier. You have come too late, Maceroni. I have already determined on my fate.... If I fail, imprisonment must be the natural consequence, but I will never consent to drag out the miserable remnant of my days in slavery. Bonaparte resigned the throne of France, yet he returned to it in the same way which I now attempt.... I have not resigned my throne or forfeited my right, therefore a fate worse than imprisonment would be contrary to human justice; but be assured that Naples shall be my St. Helena!”