DuringaninformalvisitinprovinceStyria,whereherepresentstheimperialHabsburghouse,archdukeJohann,brotherofAustrianemperorFrancisI,fallsinlovewithAnnaPlochl,thepostmaster'sequallycommondaughter.JohannandhisarrangedWurtembergroyaltybridebothdeclineadynasticallianceadvisedbyministerMetternichinfavoroftheirprivateloves.Theemperorrefusestoallowamarriage,yetJohannletsAnnamoveintolivenearlyasspouses,withoutsharingthebed.Anear-tragedyrocksthatboatsevenyearslaterbbb
