at dreadful time! It has often struck me
as extraordinary that Max and I should have managed to come through it
as satisfactorily as we did. Surely he must have guessed something of
what was in my mind. But it is quite certain that, if he did, he never
for one moment allowed me to suspect it. We met continually, discussed
the various topics of the day with well-simulated interest, occupied
ourselves with our round of amusements, as if the wolves were not all
the time gnawing at our heartstrings, and to each other and the world in
general were as friendly as two brothers could hope to be. Meanwhile, we
both knew that every day was bringing us nearer the inevitable end.

To be precise, it was on Monday, the fourteenth day of July, that the
climax came. Max had left me soon after lunch to ride in the Park with
the Princess Ottilie. I was on duty that afternoon, so was unable, even
had I desired to do so, to accompany them. Indeed, it was after six
o'clock before I returned to my house, where I expected to find Max
awaiting me. To my surprise, however, he was not there.

"Has not the Crown Prince returned?" I inquired of Felix, my
imperturbable groom of the chambers.

"His Royal Highness left the house nearly an hour and a half ago," the
man replied. "I thought your Highness was aware of his intention to
leave London."

"To leave London!" I cried in astonishment. "What do you mean? What
reason have you for supposing that he has left London?"

I was certain that he had not the least intention of doing so when we
had lunched together.

"His Royal Highness gave me to understand that he intended paying a
visit to their Majesties in the country," the man replied
apologetically.

This sudden and entirely unexpected action on Max's part was
inexplicable to me. Could he have proposed to the Princess, and had she
refused him? I was still turning this problem over in my mind, when a
letter, balanced against the inkstand on my writing table, attracted my
attention. It was addressed to myself, and the handwriting was quite
familiar to me. To pick it up and open it was the work of a moment.

MY DEAR PAUL (it ran)--

At last, thank Heaven, I have been able to come to a decision with
myself. After years of doubt and darkness I can see light ahead.
God knows whether I am doing right or wrong, but my belief is that
it is my duty. I want you to be the first to hear it, and then to
act as may seem best