23G Ten Years of my Life. 



by no means easy to conquer, and which were not only fraught 

 with danger, but attended by circumstances of an especially 

 unpleasant and annoying character. 



I mentioned the reasons which caused my husband to leave 

 Europe — his debts. These debts were not paid yet, and were 

 not forgotten either by his creditors. Though these people 

 had given up nearly all hope of ever recovering them when my 

 husband went to America, their hope was again revived by his 

 return, which became known through the papers in connection 

 with reports which still strengthened these hopes. It was said 

 that the Emperor Maximilian had left a legacy to my husband, 

 and on this his creditors speculated. It would have been easy 

 to come to an arrangement with them as long as my husband 

 was still in Mexico, but this having been neglected, his return 

 made such an arrangement far more difficult. Some of these 

 creditors addressed his brother, and though Prince Alfred was 

 much inclined to do a great deal for him, he could not think of 

 satisfying their extravagant demands, as he had himself a rather 

 large family, and besides knew very well in what manner these 

 debts had been contracted, and how shamelessly some of these 

 usurers and sharpers had profited by the extravagance and 

 carelessness of his young brother. 



Before coming to any decision in this serious matter and 

 taking any steps, it was necessary to ascertain what chances my 

 husband might have in reference to his future career. 



It was therefore agreed between Felix and his brother that 

 the former should go to Vienna. He wished to go there alone, 

 leaving me behind in Anholt, which, however, did not suit me. 

 I had promised the poor Emperor to see his mother. Arch- 

 duchess Sophie, and I was anxious to fulfil my promise. The 

 opposition of my husband was overruled by Prince Alfred, and 

 both of us left for Vienna on February 14. 



The weather was extremely fine, and the journey pleased me 

 much, for I saw for the first time the Rhine and its beautiful 

 scenery. Westphalia is not the most favourable part of Ger- 

 many, but our road led through countries which pleased me 

 far better, and reconciled me to the fatherland of my husband, 

 my future home. 



Arriving in Vienna we alighted at an old, very good hotel in 

 a narrow street, the Archduke Charles. I was extremely 

 pleased with Vienna, which is indeed a most beautiful city, 

 with charming surroundings. 



