Napoleon’s landing in France rather than Italy took the pressure off Austria, but opened up other possibilities. His reappearance in France would put the Bourbon regime to the test, and with it the wisdom of those who had installed it. Alexander, who had been against the restoration from the start, might be tempted to revisit his old projects. The only groups who had shown not just pleasure, but outright joy at the news of Napoleon’s escape were disappointed German patriots and the Prussian military.
