Palmerston appeared determined to thwart all attempts at domestic reform, and he was increasingly out of touch in the new Bismarckian world of international realpolitik.

The new chancellor, Caprivi, was ignorant of foreign affairs; and Holstein, as the repository of the Bismarckian tradition, became indispensable.

The eyes were deep, hidden under the brows, Bismarckian in their set, and not so calm, after all, she thought.