Castlereagh and Metternich had continued to demand the inclusion of France in the formal conferences begun on 29 December. There was still resistance on the part of Russia and Prussia. But Talleyrand declared flatly that if France were not admitted he would have no option but to pack up and go home. Castlereagh stood firmly behind him, and so did Metternich. Alexander was not going to foul his chances of a future alliance with France and dropped his objection, leaving Prussia isolated and therefore powerless.
