The Shadow of Great Britain

234: Chapter 158: Cabinet Connection (4K) 234: Chapter 158: Cabinet Connection (4K) In the hall, gentlemen who had been enjoying their game of poker threw their cards onto the table, perching on their chairs, and quietly discussed Arthur’s background.

Although not every gentleman was a music lover, they were aware of the recent ‘Paganini Craze’ that had swept through London.

Whether willingly or out of obligation, almost every gentleman present had taken his wife or lover to listen to Paganini’s solo concerts, even if they could not read the music scores, they always remembered the melodies.

“La Campanella?”

“Or the piano version.”

“Since when did the London Philharmonic Association have another outstanding pianist?”

“Let me guess where he’s from, hmm…

not bald, perhaps from Vienna in Austria or maybe Paris in France?”

“Judging by the hair isn’t very reliable; even the young gentlemen in Britain have abundant hair.

But once they reach our age, it goes as it must.”

Lady Copper smiled triumphantly as she watched Arthur impress the members of the club, feeling somewhat smug.

She politely placed a finger on her lips, reminding the gentlemen behind her, “Gentlemen, please keep your voices down, and after Mr.

Hastings has finished playing, I will properly introduce him to all of you.”

Upon hearing this, the gentlemen also smiled and shut their mouths.

Whether out of deference to the lady, respect for the music, or because of Lady Copper’s esteemed position at Almack’s Club, they all quite sensibly agreed to her request.

As the performance reached its climax, the gentlemen felt as if even the glasses on the poker table were trembling along.

Along with Arthur’s forceful movements, born either from being a novice or from his habit of practicing sword-fighting skills, even those who were not experts in music could not help but exclaim.

“It’s just like dancing.”

“Such expressiveness; he shouldn’t have been completely unknown before this!”

“This style of play is not just technical, but powerful.

Look carefully, every leap he makes is powered by his arm, which carries his fingers over an octave and then he slams down with weight, yet he stays just long enough to not drag.

This shows that his control over the strength of his arms and fingers has reached quite a perfect level.”

“Are you talking about playing piano?

It sounds a bit like the martial arts I practice, with the flow of a fine rapier in the wrist and a heavy broadsword in the arm.

Now that you mention it, I think this young man is wasting his talent on the piano.

If he trained in swordsmanship for a couple of years, he could definitely make some real achievements.”

As the gentlemen continued their discussions, the performance gradually came to an end.

Viscount Palmerston and Viscount Melbourne descended the spiral staircase, one looking towards Lady Copper and the other towards Mrs.

Norton.

The two elderly men quietly approached and stood behind the ladies.

But a woman’s intuition is always sharp, and they noticed their approach immediately.

Lady Copper, with her fair and rosy skin, cheeks flushed, looking nothing like a woman in her forties, clung to Viscount Palmerston’s arm and leaned lightly against him, “Henry, have you and William settled things?”

Viscount Palmeston took off his hat, smiling as he said, “It’s a minor matter; William can handle it himself without involving me.”

Lady Copper, delighted by his response, also joyfully took Mrs.

Norton’s hand, “Caroline, I told you, everything would be resolved smoothly.

It won’t be long before you see Mr.

Norton appearing in a London courtroom.

A judge is a fine profession, with an annual income of over a thousand pounds, enough for you and the children to live comfortably.”

“With that income, you needn’t bother writing those poems and novels anymore, though being a female author is a respectable profession, it’s slightly beneath a lady of the Norton family’s grace.

Perhaps you could consider, once your husband’s job is stable, taking the children on a trip to the European Continent?

Whether it’s Iberia, the Apennines, or France, the climate is much nicer than in Britain.”

Mrs.

Norton managed a forced smile upon hearing this; she turned her head towards the gentle-smiling Viscount Melbourne behind her, blushing as she lowered her head, “I…

I’ll consider it.

But before that, I’d still like to stay in Britain to sort out the domestic matters.”

Lady Copper, hearing this, merely reached out to pat the face of the woman twenty years her junior, “Caroline, don’t be foolish.

Even if you truly can’t bear it, there’s no need to be set on divorcing.

Divorce is too costly for a woman; even if you agree to leave with nothing, it’s highly unlikely the courts will approve.

Unless you’re really determined to take the matter to the House of Lords, under British law, the only way you can separate from him is if you’re diagnosed with a mental illness.

Do you really want to be thrown into Bethlem Royal Hospital?

Caroline, it’s a place of no return.”

At the mention of Bethlem Royal Hospital, Mrs.

Norton turned pale; after pondering for a while, she finally bowed her head in front of the distinguished Lady Copper.

“Madam, I…

I understand.”

Lady Copper nodded and took Mrs.

Norton’s hand, comforting her, “Actually, not divorcing isn’t so bad.

If you really can’t reconcile, then you simply live apart.

Although the law doesn’t allow for divorce, it doesn’t dictate how you should live independently.

Think positively; my brother was much more distressed than you when he faced a similar situation.”