He saw how seriously it must weaken his chances of browbeating the Eastern Powers, and of punishing Austria for her armed mediation.

Hitherto there seemed every chance of his succeeding.

The French standards flew on all the fortresses of the Elbe and Oder.

Hamburg was fast becoming a great French camp, and Denmark was ranged on the side of France.
Indeed, on reviewing the situation on June 4th, the German publicist, Gentz, came to the conclusion that the Emperor Francis would probably end his vacillations by some inglorious compromise.

The Kaiser desired peace; but he also wished to shake off the irksome tutelage of his son-in-law, and regain Illyria.