The implications were indeed alarming. If Napoleon were to land at Naples, as most people surmised, he might, with the use of Murat’s army, be able to raise the whole of Italy and threaten Austria. Austria’s freedom of action against him would be severely limited by considerations of the position Russia and Prussia might take. Although tension had eased in recent weeks, there was still a military alliance in existence binding Austria, France, Britain, Holland, Bavaria and Hanover against Russia and Prussia. On 5 March, two days before he received news of Napoleon’s escape from Elba, Louis
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