The Shadow of Great Britain
Chapter 198 - 198 136 The Center of Attention 4K6

198: Chapter 136: The Center of Attention (4K6) 198: Chapter 136: The Center of Attention (4K6) “When the shipowner turned around, he saw Danglars standing behind him.

Danglars seemed to be waiting for his commands, but in reality, just like him, he was sending off the young sailor with his gaze.

Although both were watching Edmond Dantes, the expression and meaning in their eyes were vastly different…”

The gramophone stopped as it reached this point, the reading voice suddenly halting.

The gentlemen and ladies present, who were listening with great interest, couldn’t help but address Arthur, “Mr.

Hastings, what novel is this?

It sounds quite interesting.”

Colonel Fitzroy, who served in the Royal Navy, also asked with interest, “I do like these sorts of novels with sailors as the protagonists, but there aren’t many of these on the market currently.

Most of the books in the shops now are fashionable novels.

The main characters are all delicate gentlemen, or other types of charming personalities.

Perhaps others like that sort of thing, but for those of us making a living at sea, those books are truly uninteresting.”

Eld couldn’t help but criticize, “Exactly, look at Leighton Bulwer’s ‘Pelham; or, The Adventures of a Gentleman’, what is all that about, I really don’t understand why it sells so well.

And Mrs.

Gore’s ‘Women As They Are; or, The Manners of the Day’, I really wasted my money buying it.”

At this statement from Eld, quite a few of the ladies present offered their rebuttals.

“That’s quite rude of you to say.

Both Mr.

Bulwer and Mrs.

Gore are very talented writers from Britain.”

“Indeed, especially Mrs.

Gore’s ‘Women As They Are; or, The Manners of the Day’, even the late George IV said after reading it that ‘This is the best and most interesting novel that has been published up to now’.”

“That’s right!

Although the late His Majesty the King committed many faults during his lifetime, his literary taste is universally acknowledged as good.

He bought all of Mr.

Bulwer’s published books and collected them in each of his residences.

Moreover, for Mr.

Bulwer’s ‘The Disconnector’, the King had someone sent to his residence twice to fetch the manuscript before it was published, merely to be able to read the latest chapters.”

With just a few words, Eld found himself besieged by the ladies.

Mrs.

Copper, seeing this situation, felt obliged to intervene with a smile for the young man who once urinated in her arms.

She redirected the conversation to Arthur, saying, “Mr.

Hastings, are there more chapters available?

I’m very curious to hear what happens next.”

The inebriated General Smith also sluggishly piped up, “That’s right, Mr.

Hastings, if there’s more, please bring it out quickly, I’m eager to listen.”

Arthur, seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently stirred, smiled and took out several chapters of the manuscript from his bag that he had prepared earlier.

He asked, “Would you like to pass it around to read yourselves, or shall I read it aloud for everyone?”

The naval officers shouted, “You read it, let’s all listen together.

On the ship, when we have idle time, we often find someone to read novels aloud to the lads.”

The ladies also collectively expressed their opinion, “That’s the rule at the Bluestocking Society’s salons too, where scientists present their research findings and writers read their latest works.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs.

Cordington, an avid fan of Paganini and a new fan of Hastings, hurriedly added, “Mr.

Hastings is also a musician.

It seems that after today’s salon, we need to have a private meeting to include the musician personally playing his latest pieces in the new agenda.”

The ladies of the Bluestocking Society unanimously agreed, “Agreed!”

“My dear ladies, this manuscript is not my work.

Who the real author is, I will introduce to you after I’ve read these new chapters,” he said.

No sooner had he spoken than Arthur unceremoniously took a stool and sat down at the center of the stage.

Not only were the guests looking at him eagerly, but even Mr.

Mozesales and the musicians had put down their instruments.

For the members of the symphony orchestra, the day’s work was quite easy, not only because their working hours were reduced but also because they had an engaging story to listen to.

Seated on the stool, Arthur read from the manuscript in front of him, word for word.

He read aloud from the second chapter, Father and Son, the third chapter, The Village of the Catalans, and the fourth chapter, The Plot.

But as he reached the fifth chapter, The Marriage Feast, the manuscript in his hands came to an end.

The guests, getting into the story, saw Arthur stop reading and thought he might be tired from reading, so the addicted General Smith hurriedly poured a cup of wine and passed it to Arthur.

The drunken general staggered up and said, “Mr.

Hastings, have a sip to soothe your throat, and quickly tell us the rest of the story.

Damn, why was Mr.

Dantes arrested at the wedding, and how did he get involved with Napoleon?

As a promising young man, a ship’s first mate and acting captain, he had no need to commit such a career-destroying act.

I bet someone is framing him!

It must be that ship’s accountant, Danglars; he’s aiming to replace Dantes to become the new captain.

Do you think I’m right?”