The situations then and now, similar in many respects, were yet full of differences.

Perhaps in either case the difficulties to be encountered were equally great; but the present problem was the more complex and the more interesting.

The young doctor who, unknown and insignificant, had nothing at the back of him but his own wits and the friendship of an unimportant Prince, had been replaced by the accomplished confidant of kings and ministers, ripe in years, in reputation, and in the wisdom of a vast experience.

It was possible for him to treat Albert with something of the affectionate authority of a father; but, on the other hand, Albert was no Leopold.
As the Baron was very well aware, he had none of his uncle's rigidity of ambition, none of his overweening impulse to be personally great.

He was virtuous and well-intentioned; he was clever and well-informed; but he took no interest in politics, and there were no signs that he possessed any commanding force of character.