Nancy Nichols Barker (1925–1994) was Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Preface Abbreviations Used in the Footnotes I. FROM COUNTESS TO EMPRESS: “La Montijo Triomphe” A MÉsalliance? The Eastern Question Eyes across the Pyrenees The Beginning of Trouble with Rome II. THE ITALIAN WAR : An Apprentice in Revolt Orsini and the Empress’ Italian Phase “Our Cause is Good …” Madame la RÉgente In Defense of Altar- -And Throne III. THE COLD WAR of 1859–1861: The Triumph of the “Italianissimes” The Argument over the Preliminaries of Villafranca “The Battle of CompiÈgne” “The Pope and the Congress” Complications at Home Annexation of Nice and Savoy: An Idyllic Interlude Frustration and Flight Revolution Prevails IV. THE GRAND DESIGN: Italy, Mexico, and Poland, 1861–1863 Reversing the Revolutionary Trend The Origin of the Mexican Venture The Roman Question: A Trial of Strength The Fall of Thouvenel The Polish Revolt: A Marriage of Inclination? V. EMPIRE IN THE DOLDRUMS : The Loss of Hegemony, 1863–1866 A Woman Scorned Reactions and Reprisals: Rome- -And Mexico Prewar Diplomacy-Picking a Loser VI. AFTER SADOWA : “The Beginning of the End of the Dynasty” The Impact of Sadowa The Forage for Compensations Political Limbo The Roman Question Again Realignments and Reappraisals VII. A TIME TO SPEAK : “II Faut en Finir” In Quest of Allies Fall of the Vice Emperor Revolution in Spain The Hohenzollern Candidacy for the Spanish Throne Premature Exultation The Demand for Guarantees The Declaration of War VIII. A HOUSE DIVIDED Appendix: Metternich to Rechberg, February 22, 1863 Bibliography Index

Nancy Nichols Barker (1925–1994) was Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Preface Abbreviations Used in the Footnotes I. FROM COUNTESS TO EMPRESS: “La Montijo Triomphe” A MÉsalliance? The Eastern Question Eyes across the Pyrenees The Beginning of Trouble with Rome II. THE ITALIAN WAR : An Apprentice in Revolt Orsini and the Empress’ Italian Phase “Our Cause is Good …” Madame la RÉgente In Defense of Altar- -And Throne III. THE COLD WAR of 1859–1861: The Triumph of the “Italianissimes” The Argument over the Preliminaries of Villafranca “The Battle of CompiÈgne” “The Pope and the Congress” Complications at Home Annexation of Nice and Savoy: An Idyllic Interlude Frustration and Flight Revolution Prevails IV. THE GRAND DESIGN: Italy, Mexico, and Poland, 1861–1863 Reversing the Revolutionary Trend The Origin of the Mexican Venture The Roman Question: A Trial of Strength The Fall of Thouvenel The Polish Revolt: A Marriage of Inclination? V. EMPIRE IN THE DOLDRUMS : The Loss of Hegemony, 1863–1866 A Woman Scorned Reactions and Reprisals: Rome- -And Mexico Prewar Diplomacy-Picking a Loser VI. AFTER SADOWA : “The Beginning of the End of the Dynasty” The Impact of Sadowa The Forage for Compensations Political Limbo The Roman Question Again Realignments and Reappraisals VII. A TIME TO SPEAK : “II Faut en Finir” In Quest of Allies Fall of the Vice Emperor Revolution in Spain The Hohenzollern Candidacy for the Spanish Throne Premature Exultation The Demand for Guarantees The Declaration of War VIII. A HOUSE DIVIDED Appendix: Metternich to Rechberg, February 22, 1863 Bibliography Index

Nancy Nichols Barker (1925–1994) was Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Preface Abbreviations Used in the Footnotes I. FROM COUNTESS TO EMPRESS: “La Montijo Triomphe” A MÉsalliance? The Eastern Question Eyes across the Pyrenees The Beginning of Trouble with Rome II. THE ITALIAN WAR : An Apprentice in Revolt Orsini and the Empress’ Italian Phase “Our Cause is Good …” Madame la RÉgente In Defense of Altar- -And Throne III. THE COLD WAR of 1859–1861: The Triumph of the “Italianissimes” The Argument over the Preliminaries of Villafranca “The Battle of CompiÈgne” “The Pope and the Congress” Complications at Home Annexation of Nice and Savoy: An Idyllic Interlude Frustration and Flight Revolution Prevails IV. THE GRAND DESIGN: Italy, Mexico, and Poland, 1861–1863 Reversing the Revolutionary Trend The Origin of the Mexican Venture The Roman Question: A Trial of Strength The Fall of Thouvenel The Polish Revolt: A Marriage of Inclination? V. EMPIRE IN THE DOLDRUMS : The Loss of Hegemony, 1863–1866 A Woman Scorned Reactions and Reprisals: Rome- -And Mexico Prewar Diplomacy-Picking a Loser VI. AFTER SADOWA : “The Beginning of the End of the Dynasty” The Impact of Sadowa The Forage for Compensations Political Limbo The Roman Question Again Realignments and Reappraisals VII. A TIME TO SPEAK : “II Faut en Finir” In Quest of Allies Fall of the Vice Emperor Revolution in Spain The Hohenzollern Candidacy for the Spanish Throne Premature Exultation The Demand for Guarantees The Declaration of War VIII. A HOUSE DIVIDED Appendix: Metternich to Rechberg, February 22, 1863 Bibliography Index