Also she had been warned that Geneva was a dangerous area at that time for members of royal and noble families, the Empress insisted on leaving the Beau Rivage Hotel without any bodyguards. Just her lady-in-waiting Irma Sztaray accompanied her on the walk along the quai. Elisabeth never liked to have any kind of bodyguards around her who were controlling every step she made. I would recommend the book written by Irma Sztaray for detailed info on the incident.
As for Elisabeth as a mother - She loved her first child. But...After her first daughter Sophie's death, she blamed herself for it (she had taken her with her on a journey, against peoples' advice not to do it. Sophie got sick and died) and never got over the loss and the guilt. This certainly influenced her behaviour and relationship to her future children. Just Marie Valerie, her last youngest daughter got all the love (some even say too much love) from Elisabeth. She was called 'her favourite'.
As for Elisabeth as a mother - She loved her first child. But...After her first daughter Sophie's death, she blamed herself for it (she had taken her with her on a journey, against peoples' advice not to do it. Sophie got sick and died) and never got over the loss and the guilt. This certainly influenced her behaviour and relationship to her future children. Just Marie Valerie, her last youngest daughter got all the love (some even say too much love) from Elisabeth. She was called 'her favourite'.