Chapter 463 The Picky Lady

"This is Sir Arthur Hastings. Speaking of which, he and you are both police stars, but one of you is working hard for Paris, and the other is serving in London."

In the feasting and feasting of the ball, the middleman introduced Arthur to Paris Police Chief Henri Zhisouquet.

In fact, from the moment he first entered the banquet hall, Risokai had already noticed this young man who stood out from the crowd.

Perhaps because of the eyesight honed during more than two years as police chief, Risokai can always identify potential criminals or legal criminals among a group of people.

And Arthur obviously belongs to the latter.

The strong law supported his straight waist, and his sharp eyes seemed as if he was not looking at the well-dressed guests, but a group of prisoners who might fall into his hands at any time. The smile that raised the corner of his mouth during the conversation made him look very handsome. Modesty, but in fact, it is just an act, because the police never have a heart-to-heart with the person he is arresting.

Whether he is talking to you gently, like the infatuated Romeo in Shakespeare's play, or whipping you roughly, like the perverted matricide Roman tyrant Claudius, in fact, it is all a mask he wears, and this is Everything is to pry some evidence out of your mouth.

As for what is hidden under this fickle mask, no one knows, and he doesn't want anyone to know. Novel walking sticks, beautiful monocles, diamond buttons, tie pins, and wide-brimmed silver rings inlaid with Roman coins were all the tricks he used to deceive people.

Does a guy who is known as the "Bloodhound" in London think that dressing up as a glamorous rich guy can hide the bloody smell on his body?

In the view of Risuokai, who is good at calculation, this is simply too childish.

"It's a pleasure to see you here, Sir. Although this is only the first time we have met, and we have no friendship between us, I must admit that you have helped me a lot even though we are separated by the English Channel. It has also helped the citizens of Paris a lot. Vidocq has mentioned your name to me more than once. Your experience and suggestions in cholera prevention have saved countless lives.”

Arthur held the hand extended by Zhisoke. He did not pay too much attention to the top officer of the Paris police force. This was not because he deliberately despised the other party, but because his thoughts tonight were basically concerned about Louis' affairs. Living.

"As we all know, the relationship between the French and British soldiers has always been bad. But under your leadership, this hostile relationship between the troops has not spread to the police. Communication between Scotland Yard and the Paris Police has always been smooth. , and good international communication has also helped both parties grow. If I have to say that my suggestions have any merit in cholera prevention and control, the biggest credit is that you carefully analyzed my opinions and firmly believed that they were useful. . There are tons of suggestions being made every day, but the hardest part is picking the ones that work and supporting them.”

Risokai could tell at a glance that Arthur was absent-minded, but even when he was distracted, he could still give such an answer.

This shows what?

It shows that the 24-year-old young man in front of him has become quite skilled at this trick. He is not only a qualified policeman, but he can also transform into a lying politician at any time.

Although he is very young, it can be seen from just these few words that there is a reason why he can be friends with Talleyrand.

"The secret to pleasing people in the world is to let people who don't know how to do things teach you how to do things." "The use of language is only to cover up thoughts." These two famous sayings of Talleyrand have been learned and understood by him.

According to the information Zhisoke read on the carriage, this young man was born in Yorkshire, the most conservative area in Britain. However, he studied at the University of London founded by the Whigs. However, after graduation, he joined the University of London, which was hated by liberals. Scotland Yard, the police force, also owes its fortune to the Tories. After the collapse of the Tory Wellington cabinet, he flexibly swung to the Whig side and smoothly escorted them to complete the parliamentary reform...

How can history be so similar!

Although this young man is still very young, and his story is far less exciting than the lives of those big figures in the old days, upon closer analysis, his route is so similar to Talleyrand.

Talleyrand, a French senator of six dynasties and a bishop excommunicated by Rome, was either betting or on the way to bet throughout his life, and he never bet on the wrong bet. He betrayed almost every club, and every former club turned into a meeting gift for his new club.

If you want to ask Talleyrand what else he has not betrayed in his life, it can only be said that the only thing he has not betrayed is that vague concept-France.

It's like Sir Arthur Hastings's famous quote from the Tower of London - We are here for Britain.

"An outstanding young man, His Excellency Talleyrand has a reason to admire him." It was only the first time they met, and Zhisoke had already made a preliminary judgment in his heart.

Risokai pulled Arthur affectionately and said, "Are you still used to life in Paris? I just heard Vidocq say that you seem to be still doing some business in the publishing industry. I happen to know some celebrities in the cultural world. They Some of them are also considering releasing an English translation..."

With Risokai's leading role, Arthur, who was wandering alone in the banquet hall just now, immediately became the center of a small circle.

Before Arthur returned from Louis' room, he was accosted only by one or two well-meaning gentlemen who looked pitifully upon him.

As for his original friends, Dumas, who returned to Paris, was busy re-establishing his social status in the theater circle, while Balzac was deliberately trying to destroy Dumas's wish, and Hugo was between them. To smooth things over.

Chopin, who was shy by nature, was surrounded by groups of ladies. Of course, not all ladies who admired piano were attracted to him, because Liszt's burden was obviously heavier than Chopin's.

There are also some shrewd gentlemen who are good at financial management who are sneaking around Liszt. If Heine were here, he would definitely be able to see through their little thoughts. These gentlemen are probably collecting the remaining cigars Liszt smokes. Head, this thing is a good product that costs a hundred times the price on the market.

As for Vidocq, the great detective in Paris, he was obviously in a relatively humble position at this banquet. The organizer of the banquet called him here solely to satisfy the curiosity of some big shots.

For example, the British gentlemen headed by Lord Durham and others kept asking him questions. They had basically watched the play "The Detective" that was performed in London a few years ago. This time they finally saw the story. The prototype of the protagonist, naturally did not intend to let go of this opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.

At a social banquet, newcomers will never notice the flow of the crowd, but for those thoughtful guys who make a living by socializing, every eye and ear they have is not in vain. They can tell at a glance what kind of wind has gone into what kind of wine, and who has a higher status and who has a lower status.

For those who have been paying attention to Arthur's whereabouts, the phenomenon that this fresh-faced young man suddenly became the leader of a certain small circle is particularly worthy of attention.

Miss Emily was being pulled into a corner by her father, and Mr. Draisaitl, an old banker with gray temples, was earnestly trying to persuade his daughter who couldn't think about it.

"Emily, it's not easy for me to talk to you about this. Silly boy! Look, I want with all my heart that each of my children can live a satisfactory life, but I don't want to continue Damage my personality by hosting banquets, and then watch you ridicule those enthusiastic young people one after another.

According to your opinion, a fat person has no emotions, is a bad husband, and is not worthy of entering a civilized society. But you have to know that in the East, "chubby" is also a standard of beauty. You can't see those plump women and say that their figures are really unfortunate, nor can you ridicule a "chubby" gentleman and say that he has grown This is simply a sin.

Although your ridiculous opinions are sometimes quite amusing because of the light-hearted way in which they are expressed. But you have to know that not everyone can accept your kind of joke. The conditions you set for people are bound to become the subject of ridicule one day in the future.

Don’t think I’m being alarmist. Your father and I have been together since the Great Revolution, and I have seen too many such things. Those people cater to you on the surface, not because they really find your words interesting, but because you are more powerful than them now, so they will not openly refute you, but as soon as they seize the opportunity, they will eventually Revenge against you!

This opportunity may be three to five years, or it may be eight or ten years. Your weird opinions will only make you offend people. You don’t know, every night when I lie in bed and close my eyes, I’m trembling with fear. I know that this ruthless society has actually started to laugh at me, because you are already 22 years old this year, but you haven’t yet Get married.

Those people you mocked, those women, are actually chewing the tongue of me and your mother behind our backs. And those male protagonists who have been rejected by you are full of dissatisfaction, waiting for revenge at the slightest sign of trouble. You have to know that I have held a banquet almost every once in the past two or three years, and I have brought the most outstanding young people in Paris to you.

However, you look down on none of them, and you even ridicule them and find fault with them in person. I hope you can understand yourself and our difficult situation today. My daughter, you are 22 years old! According to our plan, you should have been married three years ago. Your brothers and sisters are wealthy and happily married. These wedding expenses, plus the expenses of hosting friends’ parties over the years, consumed most of our income.

Emily, you are the apple of our eyes. At home, everyone lets you go and no one will argue with you or grab things from you. However, I must say frankly now that from today on, I will at least consider your mother's future. She should not continue to sacrifice her own interests for the happiness of her children.

If one day I am no longer here, I don’t want your mother to rely on others. She should continue to live a comfortable life, which is my reward for following me through the hard days. Therefore, you must know that your dowry is very meager. I can only barely give you one hundred thousand francs, and one hundred thousand francs is not commensurate with your high ambition.

Don't cry and don't have red eyes! Because you have to know that I only made such a sacrifice for you. There are several other children, whether it is your three brothers or two sisters. Moreover, your brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law have also generously donated It is unanimously agreed that they will never ask for the same treatment as you, the most beloved daughter of your parents. "

Mr. Draisaitl thought that his daughter would give up after hearing these words. Unexpectedly, his daughter not only did not feel the slightest gratitude, but instead sneered at her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: "Dad, this is their duty." . None of them are nobles, either the daughters of traders or the sons of bankers, and I am going to marry a noble. "

Mr. Draisaitl seemed to have become accustomed to his daughter's arrogant attitude. He was not angry, but sighed and said: "My dear Emily, you must be grateful to them, they love you very much. , and you are not jealous of my and your mother's preference for you. You are not young anymore. You should think about things like a mature girl. Okay, let's talk about something serious now. Do you like any of these young people?"

Emily held up her long skirt and shook her head: "No."

Draisaitl was searching for a young man who he thought was good: "What do you think of Mr. Kurtz?"

"A mediocre city hall clerk with no knowledge and no ink in his belly, and he seems to think that he is so great just because he is the director there. He brags to me how great he is, but in fact His job is just to stamp the documents and pull a big bag carrier from the dock. Even if he can't read or write, he can still do this job well. "

After hearing this, Mr. Draisaitl advised again: "Mr. Kurtz is in charge of land trade. If he becomes your husband, then both my business and those of your brothers-in-law will be fine." Do a lot..."

"Dad, I am looking for a husband, not a business partner. He is not a nobleman, or even a descendant of a nobleman. His ancestors were German fishermen five generations back."

Draisaitl said with sweat on his head: "Okay, okay, then, what do you think of Mr. de Boleno? There is virtue in his name, and he is a serious descendant of the aristocracy."

"He is a descendant of a noble, but not a noble, and he is ugly and fat. And his hair is golden and chestnut. I don't like such a man."

"That……"