The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 719 - 346 Mr. Hastings Appoints

Arthur flipped through the report in his hand, replying distractedly.

"An actress? Somehow, I’m not at all surprised by Alexander’s choice. Moreover, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard a story about actresses. When Victor was still a green boy, his lover was also an actress several years his senior. Our former Prime Minister, Sir Canning, was even the son of an actress."

Louis pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Arthur, took off his hat and threw it on the table asking:

"Although there are many stories about actresses, the endings of these stories are mostly not very beautiful. Actresses tend to have a richer emotional experience, and their thoughts are much deeper than those of ordinary girls.

"Didn’t you say before? Mr. Victor’s lover just treated him like an interesting little pet, amusing herself with him until she got bored and then kicked him away.

"As for Sir Canning’s mother, that was even more excessive. Sir Canning hardly ever saw her throughout his childhood, which might also be one of the important reasons for his extreme character.

"If Alexander’s interest is just a whim, then that’s fine, but if he gets himself seriously involved, then I really wouldn’t know what to say."

Arthur tossed the files onto the table and casually responded.

"You really don’t need to worry about that, Alexander is not as devoted as you think. If there really is a woman who could make him fall head over heels, I’d be quite curious to see what kind of stunning beauty she is. You might not know, but I haven’t seen him bring the same woman home for a long time in the past six months. His efficiency in this matter is just like his writing speed."

Upon hearing this, Louis couldn’t help but express his envy: "I don’t doubt Alexander’s charm, but he has to serialize novels, adapt scripts, and even review popular literature submissions for ’The Times’, doesn’t all this work fill his time? Could he really be a magician? Under such circumstances, it’s astonishing that he still finds time to handle so many women simultaneously!"

Arthur spoke up: "I think you still don’t understand him well enough. If you had such a large group of lovers and spent money as lavishly as Alexander, you would also need to work this hard. He not only spends money like water but also generously supports his current mistresses, former mistresses, their families, and their children."

"At least a few dozen households in London now rely on Alexander’s writing income to eat; this is also why the fat man, despite having earned a lot from ’The Count of Monte Cristo,’ still has a bank account that is virtually empty."

Trying to hold back a laugh, Louis asked, "Then haven’t you advised him to restrain himself a little?"

"Advise? Why should I advise?"

Arthur, lifting his teacup, said: "I’d rather he took care of all the widows in London; Alexander has made an outstanding contribution to Scotland Yard in terms of poverty alleviation. Besides, he clearly enjoys it himself, which is a wonderful thing, and I have no desire to change the status quo. The only slightly unfortunate thing is that now Alexander has money, so his tastes seem to have become more selective. He’s no longer interested in laundresses and maids like before, as you said, he now fancies actresses."

Laughing heavily, Louis shrugged, saying: "Arthur, if the reporters from the newspapers hear what you just said, your caricature will be hanging on the front page of ’The Times’ tomorrow."

"That’s unlikely." Arthur joked: "I have a decent relationship with Mr. Thomas Barnes, editor of ’The Times’; at the very least, I’ve provided him with news material about Mr. Harrison."

"Are you really sure that your relationship with the Jupiter of ’The Times’ is still good?"

Arthur sipped his tea, pondering for a moment: "At least our relationship isn’t as bad as his and Viscount Palmerston’s."

"That’s true,"

Louis replied, "Viscount Palmeston seems to have already barred ’The Times’ reporters from stepping through the Foreign Office’s doors. In most cases, he now only expresses his views in his own mouthpiece, ’The Morning Post’. Indeed, it’s strange.

It used to be that a single word from a minister could determine the life or death of a newspaper, and now, it seems this situation has reversed. The media’s attitude can determine the success or failure of a Cabinet. No wonder Earl Lyndhurst considers Thomas Barnes to possibly be the most powerful man in Britain right now.

"Perhaps that’s also why he recruited Mr. Disraeli into the Tory Party. Although ’The Times’ is not known for its editorials, if we talk about circulation per issue, the newly emerged ’The Times’ competes closely with old literary magazines like ’Blackwood’s’. Investing in ’The Times’ as a major shareholder is definitely a wise choice right now."

"Yes, times are changing, so those who can keep up with the times have the opportunity to stay ahead. Viscount Palmerston is one, Earl Lyndhurst is another, but clearly, they have yet to notice the most valuable thing."

"The most valuable thing?"

Louis looked at Arthur, just as he was about to ask what exactly Arthur was referring to, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Entering was a nervous-looking Officer Tom from Northumberland, the young shoemaker clearly still not accustomed to his new rank and responsibilities.