It was first officially announced that the day of the wedding was postponed, but that the alliance was by no means broken off. Duke Max asked in the name of his daughter when the marriage was to take place; and on his request that a time should be appointed, was informed that "this was impossible on account of the King's state of health." The answer gave the ducal house a reasonable pretext for declaring that they would "in such circumstances prefer to consider the engagement at an end." The King received this declaration "with the deepest regret." The rupture was hardly so unexpected by the general public as the engagement had been; for, thanks to Hohenlohe's care, the public mind had been prepared. Nevertheless, the event was for long a standing subject of conversation. Opportunity had been given for the most varied surmises, and stories and hints were not lacking. Some sought the reason in a mutual want of sympathy. Others knew better, affirmed that the Duchess loved another, and that the King had discovered this fact. But all were loath to think that their beloved Ludwig was in any way to blame in the matter. Sophie's reputation was hardly treated. Gossips and court sycophants threw suspicion on her. Disparaging and marvellous accounts of her conduct were circulated, and were never lived down. It is little to the King's honour that he never took any step whatever to do justice to the woman he had wished to make his wife and the Queen of his kingdom. CHAPTER XI After the Parting with Sophie--Episodes from the King's Excursions in the Highlands Though Ludwig's initiative had dictated the rupture with Sophie, it is certain that at the end the parting was not easy to him, and that it was not without influence on his future life. A marked change in his manner took place from this time. Immediately after this event he retired to his most secluded castle. He was free, but he was not happy. He became more suspicious and shy than before; and it was plain to all that he was harassed by inward disquiet. His good relations with the ducal house were, of course, destroyed. He had not a single real friend, not one person in his entourage with whom he could talk confidentially. The break cast a deep shadow even over his relations with his mother. She avoided him, in her disappointment and anger, instead of endeavouring to win his confidence and help him in his mental struggles, and his love of solitude increased with his bitterness at her coldness. Duties, however, called him back to his capital; by New Year 1868 he was again in Munich. The people showed signs of pleasure at having him amongst them once more; the windows of the Residenz were lighted up on the dark winter evenings, crowds of the curious besieged the entrances, admired the vestibules and staircases, which were filled with flowers, and listened to the music as they caught snatches of it from inside.