DuringaninformalvisitinprovinceStyria,whereherepresentstheimperialHabsburghouse,archdukeJohann,brotherofAustrianemperorFrancisI,fallsinlovewithAnnaPlochl,thepostmaster`sequallycommondaughter.JohannandhisarrangedWurtembergroyaltybridebothdeclineadynasticallianceadvisedbyministerMetternichinfavoroftheirprivateloves.Theemperorrefusestoallowamarriage,yetJohannletsAnnamoveintolivenearlyasspouses,withoutsharingthebed.Anear-tragedyrocksthatboatsevenyearslater.