The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1717: Chapter 67: My Dear? My Deer! (Part 3)

”Perhaps.” Viscount Melbourne seemed not eager to discuss this topic: ”But we still won two seats from the Tory Party.”

”But the change in the election situation is worth noting.” Viscount Palmerston reminded: ”William, you can’t possibly ignore what Disraeli and Hastings have been up to in London recently.”

”Disraeli is, after all, a Tory Party member of parliament, which is not hard to understand.”

”And Hastings?” Viscount Palmerston mentioned the name with anger: ”First it was Caucasus, then London; he truly is Brougham’s good student. We must pay more attention to him, it’s said that this guy has already entered Kensington Palace.”

Compared to Palmerston’s dislike of Arthur, Viscount Melbourne held no negative views towards Arthur.

This was not only because his sister Lady Cooper often spoke well of Arthur in front of him, but also because back when Viscount Melbourne was the Home Secretary, Arthur had helped in the handling of the Swin riot trial and Lady Norton’s case, and mediated in his relationship with Faraday.

Although Robert Cali’s memorial ceremony somewhat embarrassed him as the former Home Secretary, suppressing Scotland Yard and the Army was not solely his idea but the established policy of the Whig Party. Besides, these days the newspapers have not criticized him personally; most have been scolding the Home Office and White Hall, so Melbourne himself was not particularly angry.

Viscount Melbourne spoke: ”Hastings entering Kensington is not necessarily bad news. Though he indeed acted rashly in Caucasus, it at least shows his liberal tendencies. Haven’t you been worried about the bishops exerting too much influence on the Crown prince? Now it’s fine, the conservative bishops can balance Sir Arthur Hastings well; they will surely guide the Queen towards a Whig conscience. Henry, you’re too tense. In the countryside, one should have fun; this is not the place to discuss politics.”

Palmerston saw Melbourne’s attitude and could only shake his head. He bent down and patted the hunting dog’s head: ”Lead the way, Nick, let’s try that patch of old oak woods again.”

Nick wagged his tail excitedly at the words, sniffed lightly with his nose, and then darted quickly into the shrubbery ahead.

Viscount Palmerston tightened the reins, leaned slightly, his gaze following.

Viscount Melbourne still seemed weary, turned his horse unhurriedly, planning to follow slowly.

A moment later, Nick stopped at the edge of moss-covered woodland, his limbs straight and ears perked up, his entire body tense like a drawn bow.

Seeing this, Palmerston whispered: ”There’s action.”

He rode forward a couple of paces, half-turning to draw a long gun from the gun bag, his gaze following the direction of the hunting dog.

Under the withered beech trees, a sizeable doe was nibbling the acorns on the ground, moving leisurely, unaware of the approach.

There were still some leaves hanging on its back, having just emerged from the dense forest, its fur tinged a faint gold-gray in the afternoon’s sparse sunlight.

”Beautiful.” Palmerston murmured to himself, he cautiously raised the gun, aiming at the doe’s shoulder blade.

Bang!

The gunshot exploded through the forest, startling several crows to fly up from the tall trees.

The doe jerked in response, limbs kicking the ground, springing high, but did not fall; instead, it desperately darted into the forest, leaving only a few drops of blood splattering onto the moist moss.

Palmerston cursed through clenched teeth: ”Damn it!”

Melbourne also commented: ”Seems like it was off by an inch.”

The hunting dog Nick had already rushed ahead, closely chasing the deer.

Without a word, Palmerston spurred the horse with his boots and urged: ”Keep up! Can’t let it get far!”