The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 964: Chapter 43: The Old Nobility and the New Emperor_3

Perhaps future generations will struggle to understand Miss DelaSalle’s obsession with aristocratic status.

In present-day Paris, the life circumstances of a banker’s daughter are far more affluent than those of most aristocratic daughters.

Since the 17th century, the best areas in Paris, like Place Royale, Saint-Louis Island, Place Vendôme, and all the highlights of the fashionable districts, have belonged to these bankers’ assets.

These people hold a place in French society, possessing their own spheres of influence. Although they live lives akin to nobility, enjoying the influence and lifestyle traditionally exclusive to princes and nobles, most of them lack noble lineage.

One after another, individuals without noble lineage continue to rise in the city of Paris. In this ever-developing new Paris, people begin to believe that anyone has a chance to prosper. A poor young man from the provincial countrysides can arrive in Paris penniless and become a real estate or financial magnate within a few short years, leaving behind a fortune beyond the reach of others upon their passing.

Due to such urban legends, talented young men like Victor used to flock to Paris in droves, eager to break through.

However, even though the bankers and real estate developers, deemed ’outsiders’ by prominent French figures like Cardinal Richelieu, participate in most of Paris’s urban renovations and expansions, the transformation of a penniless poor man into a commanding financier has never garnered a favorable view.

Parisians can accept meeting people from various classes at Pont Neuf or Tuileries Garden but do not welcome the new societal scene of commoners getting rich overnight.

Although these individuals will stubbornly say: ”In this century, money is everything. Money represents absolute power; having money means being in control. Even if one is of extremely humble origins, with money, one can still become nobility.”

Most people do not agree with their viewpoint; even within their hearts, they themselves are not very confident.

Whether it be political propaganda booklets or personal memoirs, from legal documents to novels and dramas, these bankers are often fiercely criticized in these writings.

Writers of various backgrounds, whether powerful officials or unknown satirists, describe these new wealthy individuals as ’blood-sucking leeches,’ claiming they drain the nation’s lifeblood, causing honest citizens to be left impoverished.

Even the French dictionary had to add special definitions to the new word Parvenu (upstart): a base person who rapidly earns a significant amount of money. The corresponding verb Parvenir (achieve) extends to mean ’the wasteful extravagance of upstarts.’

As for novelists and playwrights, their comments are even less forgiving, straightforwardly expressing through their characters: ”Yesterday’s servile, today’s homeowner.”

In the eyes of the masses, they are merely a group of Barbarians with a couple of dollars, with bad taste and low-class interests.

Isn’t the king among beggars still a beggar?

Every time Miss DelaSalle thinks about this, even though she wears the latest fashionable dress in Paris, uses France’s most luxurious perfume, and receives education from the most scholarly minds in France, during social gatherings, upon encountering those true aristocratic young ladies, she can’t help but feel inferior.

If their attire isn’t as sophisticated as hers, that’s because they pursue the beauty of simplicity and elegance, reflecting tasteful refinement.

If their attire is more luxurious than hers, it’s a demonstration of the profound heritage of noble lineage, a testament to centuries of family tradition.

If their speech and artistic accomplishments are not as high as hers, that’s because noble ladies adhere to tradition – standing there with grace constitutes an embodiment of art.

If their speech and artistic accomplishments are greater than hers, it’s even worse; people will say that an upstart remains an upstart, and cultivating aristocratic speech cannot be achieved by the common folk in one or two generations.

The more Miss DelaSalle thought, the angrier she became; at the same time, her expectations of the future Prime Minister from London grew higher.

If Arthur understood what Miss DelaSalle was thinking, he’d likely introduce her to the Jewish youth Disraeli, as when it comes to future Prime Ministers, Mr. Disraeli was more professionally suited.

But if Miss DelaSalle indeed met Mr. Disraeli, she’d likely be infuriated by the boy who loves to wear red shorts and green vests.

Because Mr. Disraeli didn’t favor young girls like her, instead preferring older women, particularly those with aristocratic status.

If it weren’t for his preference, he couldn’t have possibly become a member of Parliament so quickly, let alone talk of a future Prime Minister.

But right now, what most worries Miss DelaSalle isn’t the issue of older women, but discovering that Arthur is nowhere to be found.

This Assistant Commissioner, fired by Scotland Yard, as always, adhered to his habit of moving around mysteriously. Just as Miss DelaSalle was distracted, he vanished without a trace, not leaving even the slightest scent for his dance partner.

”Sir?”

Miss DelaSalle glanced around. There were indeed a number of Sirs present at the dance, but not a single one looked capable of being a Prime Minister.

Oh, perhaps the gentleman passionately dancing with his partner, Mr. Thiers, could be considered one, but unfortunately, his height was not above Miss DelaSalle, making him naturally easy to overlook.

Miss DelaSalle was just about to go to the lounge to look for traces of Arthur, but just before she moved, she suddenly heard the piano stop.

Immediately followed by a neat and unified sound of footsteps.

She turned her head to look, and unknown to her, both sides of the staircase were already lined with soldiers.

The King of France, Louis Philippe, dressed in evening attire, beamed with his iconic pear-like face familiar from the walls of Parisian streets, warmly greeting his subjects.

Beside him stood a young man sporting a mustache like a seal, wearing an exquisite military uniform, barely squeezing out a smile.

Louis Philippe cheerfully spoke: ”Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the young man beside me, Mr. Charles-Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte.”