Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/260

240 should not compromise his honor by yielding to the pressure.

These letters impressed Maximilian with the idea that, whatever his plans, circumstances were not then favorable to his reappearance in Europe; and as the extent of the secret negotiations for a new ruler,became revealed, his pride revolted at the slight cast upon himself, and the humiliating role of slinking away at the bidding of Napoleon, like a disgraced servant, or a tool which had served his purpose. Finding him in this frame of mind, his conservative advisers pointed out how unworthy of a Hapsburg to turn his back to a foe and desert his party in the hour of danger. The effect of such an appeal can readily be understood upon the frank sailor prince, whose idealistic and chivalric disposition had been impressed by the lustre inherited from a long line of noble ancestors. Duty now became a guiding motive — duty to his family record; to himself, with a view to his more or less important projects in Europe; and consequently to the party whose cause he had embraced.

The course he now proposed to follow was outlined in a note to Lares, the chief minister. The condition of affairs seemed to demand that he should return to the nation the power vested in him, and to this end he summoned his council to give their advice. This body met on the 25th of November at Orizaba. The