I do not know why it was, but it was obvious that the Emperor was expecting to hear some disagreeable statements, and offered a passive resistance to the request for a private interview.

He invited me to breakfast with him in his dining-car, where he sat in the company of ten other gentlemen, and there was no possibility of beginning the desired conversation.
Breakfast had been over some time, but the Emperor made no sign of moving.

I was several times obliged to request him to grant me a private interview before he rose from the table, and even then he took with him an official from the Foreign Ministry to be present at our conversation as though to have some protection against anticipated troubles.

The Emperor William was never rude to strangers, though he often was so to his own people.
With regard to the Emperor Charles, the situation was very different.
He was never anything but friendly; in fact I never saw him angry or vexed.

There was no need for any special courage in making an unpleasant statement to him, as there was no danger of receiving a violent answer or any other disagreeable consequences.