That statesman, as usual, schemed and balanced.

He saw that Austria had much to gain by playing the waiting game.

Her forces were improving both in numbers and efficiency, and under cover of her offer of armed mediation were holding strong positions in Bohemia.

In fact, she was regaining her prestige, and might hope to impose her will on the combatants at the forthcoming European Congress at Prague.

Metternich, therefore, continued to pose as the well-wisher of both parties and the champion of a reasonable and therefore durable compromise.
He had acted thus, not only in his choice of measures, but in his selection of men.