Maureen Allen, an American friend of Vetsera, recalled that she did not take this affair or any of her earlier ones frivolously, that she "was very serious...people gave her credit for not taking love lightly, but rather quite seriously." While Rudolf had not only a wife and child, but other lovers as well, Vetsera did not pursue any other eligible men, but instead focused all her attention on the crown prince. She appears to have thought she could be a credible threat to Princess Stephanie, perhaps even usurping her position and title, but seems to have been unaware that Rudolf was simultaneously having a serious affair with the actress Mizzi Kaspar.