The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1309: Chapter 175: Talleyrand’s Mantle

“What sort of man is the one I’m going to marry?”

“You understand my character, and because I haven’t had much interaction with him, I cannot hastily judge his character, nor deceive you through subjective assumptions. I can only share with you what I have observed: his hair color and blue eyes are much like yours, with a handsome, straight nose, a gentle and charming mouth, and immaculate teeth. Whenever he smiles, his expression is particularly enchanting, making people involuntarily believe that he must be kind, lovable, and exceptionally intelligent.”

“Is he a handsome man? Is he more like the medieval knight appearing in Sir Walter Scott’s novels, or the masked man in the London fog from your writings, or perhaps the dashing young Duke in Disraeli’s novels?”

“Only a noble medieval knight is worthy of the British Queen, and this is the happiness you are rightfully entitled to.”

——”Empire’s Decisions: The Letters of Queen Victoria”

Arthur’s mood was terrible, and the conversation with Fiona brought back the memory of his last meeting with Talleyrand before his departure.

Heaven knows why this French cripple, a man who has rarely spoken the truth in his life, suddenly decided to be honest with him.

Perhaps he was jealous that the name Arthur Hastings appeared more frequently in the pages of London newspapers than Talleyrand-Perigord, or maybe because he felt he’d lived long enough, or perhaps he simply wanted to tease the young man who had cost him so much money during card games.

This final representative of the 18th century, a titan of the French political arena, a patriarch of European diplomacy, a world-class butcher, Mazarin’s monkey, the incarnation of Cardinal Dubois, an unwilling monk, a laughable People’s Bishop, Voltaire’s spiritual bastard, Mirabeau’s megaphone, Aesop dressed in official robes, the envoy of the limping Devil, the Pope’s mustard pot, defender of England, Napoleon’s agent, Tsar Alexander’s guide, evangelist of the Hundred Days Restoration, Louis Philippe’s umbrella bearer…

Heaven knows how many nicknames he had, and why he both resented and admired a minor character like me!

Perhaps it’s because he has experienced 13 governments, served 13 different masters, that he also wants to lead the younger generation, who barely retain a bit of conscience, down the same path he took.

Arthur stood in the audience, watching the dazzling male and female leads on stage, his peripheral vision catching sight of the audience members excited, happy, saddened, and moved by the actors’ brilliant performance.

His nose seemed to catch the rich scent of fruit and herbs, and his tongue tasted the sweet aroma of ripe blackcurrant and black cherry—Talleyrand had given him this red wine, an 1825 Margaux. Somehow, Talleyrand’s voice echoed in his ears.

“When the play is still being performed and the actors are still on stage, it’s unsuitable to reveal the plot, the method, and expose the protagonist’s true self, because the mask is more beautiful than the true face. Today, for some people, the truth is quite dangerous. For others, it’s nothing short of scandalous. For everyone, the truth is utterly useless.”

“Aren’t you worried about criticism for saying those words and doing those things?”

“As for me, I fear neither the critics nor those fools—you know the kind of people I mean. I have foreseen how the next generation will evaluate me, but I do not care. Because for half a century, I have been an umbrella, enduring the drenching rain, so one more drop or one less means nothing to me.”

“Mr. Talleyrand, do you mean to say you have forgiven your enemies?”

“Forgiveness? I have forgotten nothing, nor will I forgive anyone. If certain wrongs can be forgiven, if certain passions can be understood, it is only my own wrongs and my own passions. As for my enemies? I no longer have any, as I have sent them all to the grave.

Louis XV’s government, Louis XVI’s government, the Great Revolution Government, the Republic Government, the Directory, the Directorate, the Empire Government, the Hundred Days Restoration Government, the Provisional Government of 1814, the two post-restoration monarchies, Charles X’s government, all have gone to their graves, yet I, I still serve Louis Philippe’s government.

I feel proud of myself because I have transcended certain people and events, even surpassed suffering, my heart hard enough to endure everything. No one can humiliate me; no one can cause me pain. This pride, this iron-heartedness, has rid me of vanity, of agitation. Once I die, I will no longer hear the chime of bells. Life is no more than this.”

“Have you never once wished to earn the respect of others?”

“Respect? Ha… young man, in France, people respect nothing, except power. In the halls of favor, everything is grand, except the lowly small hole making people stoop low to enter.”

“I… perhaps I’m not qualified to evaluate your thoughts, but I just want to ask you, do you feel that doing this… is right?”

“Are you asking this question to yourself, or to me? Right and wrong, these are the two simplest, easiest words to say, yet they are the most perplexing. I know you feel foolish, hence the contradiction and guilt in your heart. But I must tell you, young man, do not fret over doing foolish things, for many do not even have the chance to act foolish. Follow your own feelings, and never regret, no matter if it’s a good act, a bad act, or a foolish act.