The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 755 - 359 - The Afterglow of the Setting Sun_2

But the Red Devil understood Arthur’s intent. He slapped Arthur’s shoulder playfully and laughed, "Aren’t you quite clear in your heart? You have the chance to become a god, so why insist on degenerating to a mortal?"

Arthur did not answer the question, but instead turned his head and smiled gently at Louis, "What do you think will happen next?

Louis fell silent for a while, then turned to look out the window at the crowd, stirred up with emotion.

Perhaps he would become a great figure who remains calm amidst upheaval in the future, but at this moment, he could not achieve such inner tranquility.

Louis shook his head, "I... I don’t know. But whenever I see them, they always remind me of the time I was in Italy, of the Charcoal Burners’ uprising in Rome. The expressions on their faces... they’re almost identical to those of the Charcoal Burners. To be honest, Arthur, I have no confidence."

Arthur gently patted Louis’s shoulder and took a leisurely puff of his cigarette, "Don’t worry, Louis. I know what comes next, and everything is going to get better." freeweɓnovel.cøm

"You know?" Louis frowned, looking somewhat puzzled, "How do you know? Did you receive some reliable news?"

"I have no news," Arthur chuckled, "but I am a historian. The University of London has provided me with the best historical education.

"So, what’s the connection between the two?"

Arthur said teasingly, "Louis, do you know what the antonym of historian is?"

Louis scratched his head, "What is it?"

Arthur tapped his pipe out of the window and stepped down from the carriage.

Inside the carriage, his voice still echoed.

"Prophet."

...

Bentham’s butler and servants stood outside the door, trying their best to soothe the increasingly gathering supporters.

The butler, standing in the pouring rain and pressing his hands downward, called out, "Gentlemen, Mr. Bentham is quite old now; he’s 84 years old and his health hasn’t been good recently. As soon as his condition improves, we will immediately arrange for Mr. Bentham to continue his speeches.

For the past thirty years, he has been on the speaking platform almost every week. Whether on the streets of London, in university lecture halls, or at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, you could find him anywhere.

He knows your enthusiasm for utilitarianism, your support for Parliamentary reform; everyone hopes that this country can become better and that each person, everyone in society, can live a good life.

Over the past half-century, the ranks of utilitarianism have grown from a few individuals to a movement known to all Britons, and now we even have the University of London, which can cultivate talent. Mr. Bentham has dedicated his entire life to the cause of reform, but at the very least you must allow him some rest."

When the supporters heard this, some felt disheartened, while others suspected that Bentham’s absence surely meant something was amiss.

"Sir, has the authority put any pressure on you, on Mr. Bentham?"

"Mr. Bentham would not back down. From what we know of Mr. Bentham, at such a critical moment, he would definitely stand up as always."

"Exactly! Even after Mr. Bentham’s Parliamentary reform proposal was rejected 106:0 in the Commons in 1818, he did not lose heart. We don’t believe Mr. Bentham would step back when the situation is so favorable! Mr. Andrew, you must have been threatened by the opposition to keep silent, right?"

"Mr. Andrew, tell us their names. With us here, no one can pressure Mr. Bentham; even though he’s 84, he has us behind him."

The butler Andrew could only offer a wry smile upon hearing this.

These young people were good in every way, except that they did not listen. He would have liked to let them in to see Bentham, to show them he wasn’t lying.

Unfortunately, Bentham had already instructed that he would not see anyone that day. And from the butler’s perspective, the old master indeed wasn’t fit for visitors. He was so old that he had no strength to even leave his bed.

The health of the elderly is like golden leaves hanging on the branch in autumn. While they may seem fine, just one winter can drastically worsen their condition.

At present, Mr. Bentham was in such a state.

But the butler was certain he couldn’t disclose everything in front of the supporters. He knew these young people well; if they saw Bentham as he was now, they wouldn’t blame the cold of winter but might associate his deteriorating health with the recent cholera controls.

While the butler didn’t discount that the cholera restrictions had a negative impact, if these young people connected Bentham’s failing health with the cholera controls...

It was hard to imagine what they might do.

Storm City Hall?

Set fire to Westminster Palace where both houses of Parliament reside?

Or attack the royal family’s residences such as St. James’s Palace, Kensington Palace, or Buckingham Palace?

As the butler was at a loss, he suddenly felt someone approaching him.

He was about to look up when a familiar voice reached his ear: "Mr. Andrew, do you need help? If necessary, I can dispatch a squad to maintain order on the scene. I currently have a twenty-person team standing by nearby."

Andrew was startled inside: "Arthur, you..."

He glanced over the supporters and quickly pulled Arthur aside to speak, "Please don’t do anything rash. Young people are capable of anything. Sending the police now will only escalate their emotions."