They will be compelled to restore the throne to your enemy, who, believe me, is most anxious to become your creditor.
"This is an independent state,--conditionally.

The confederation have formed themselves into a protectorate.

Why?
I can only guess.

One or more of them covet these beautiful lands.

What are ten years to Josef, when a crown is the goal?
Your revenues are slowly to decline, there will be internal troubles to eat up what money you have in the treasury.
O, it is a plot so fine, so swiftly conceived, so cunningly devised that I would I were twenty years younger, to fight it with you! But I am old.