Alexander was not in a good mood on his return. He probably realised that he had blundered up a blind alley. On his arrival in Vienna he had begun by stating his will, assuming that it would be done. When objections were raised, by Castlereagh, then Talleyrand and then Metternich, he had tried to intimidate them. Castlereagh had responded with firmness and two memoranda setting out all the reasons why Alexander’s plans were unacceptable. Talleyrand had confronted him with almost disdainful lectures on legitimacy and international law. And Metternich, while appearing to be open to any proposal,
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