The modern civilized world had suddenly broken loose from many of its anchors, but so conspicuous a man as Auersperg could not stain his name with a deed that would brand him throughout Europe.

Weber, however, had spoken of a morganatic marriage, and fearful pressure might be brought to bear.

A country so energetic and advanced as Germany had clung, nevertheless, to many repellent principles of medievalism.

A nation listened with calm acceptance and complacency, while its Kaiser claimed a partnership, and not altogether a junior partnership either, with the Almighty.

Much could be forgiven to an Auersperg, the head of a house that had been princely more than a thousand years.