Note 3 — Chapter XVII · During the War—The German Empire is Proclaimed
Ethel Harriet Hearn translation
On the 5th of November the Prince arrived; not without danger had he travelled day and night to fulfil his brother’s wish. The King talked much and excitedly to him of abdicating the throne. Otto dissuaded him from such a step in the most affectionate manner. He asked permission to return to Versailles; but it was not until peace was all but concluded that he obtained the Monarch’s consent to this step. Ludwig soon changed his mind with regard to his abdication. “Fancy,” he said shortly afterwards to a gentleman of his entourage, “Count B. really believes that I am seriously thinking of abdicating.” He enforced the necessity on several influential personages, “of using every effort in order that these rumours should be definitely put a stop to.”3