DuringaninformalvisitinprovinceStyria,whereherepresentstheimperialHabsburghouse,archdukeJohann,brotherofAustrianemperorFrancisI,fallsinlovewithAnnaPlochl,thepostmaster'
sequallycommondaughter.JohannandhisarrangedWurtembergroyaltybridebothdeclineadynasticallianceadvisedbyministerMetternichinfavoroftheirprivateloves.Theempero...