When Sean came out, two hours had passed.

His face was not very good-looking, and Rabo, Nelson, Young, and the others looked at each other, and wisely did not speak, escorting Sean's carriage back to his temporary residence at the University of Poitou.

Countess Koval threw a birthday ball for her eldest grandson at the age of eighteen, a grand ball, a large gathering of guests, and Sean was also invited.

Sean's arrival is both surprising and natural. Because the people of Poitou's high society knew that he could not dance, and it seemed that he did not want to learn either, but he gave a very formal written reply within two days of receiving the invitation from the Countess of Covatu.

It is a datut dance that is widely popular from the court to the folk, and usually involves a large ball party with at least ten pairs of men and women, and requires a twenty-member band to accompaniment. Today's dance party gathered nearly 100 men and women.

In the beautiful rhythm and slightly bright music, men and women in gorgeous evening dresses danced, showing grace and vivid grace.

Audrey sat with a group of women, while Sean and the other men sat opposite, with a spacious dance floor in between. The women are bejeweled and glamorous, while the men are well-dressed and elegant.

Even the servants are well-dressed, polite and thoughtful, and meticulous in service, showing the upbringing and bearing of a wealthy family. This is something that the new nouveau riche will not be able to achieve for a while.

Such a grand ball, even in Poitou, is not uncommon, not only because of its grandeur and luxury, but also because the guests who attend it are the top elites. As a result, it is sought after by both men and women of high society, and an invitation usually makes the invitee feel honored.

The dance had been going on for a while, and the song was over, and the graceful dancing of ten pairs of men and women won the applause of the guests.

Audrey is undoubtedly the most dazzling of the many female guests, but she is not out yet, perhaps because she is thinking of Sean's embarrassment.

Viscount Brandon is also here today, and his wife has been unwell lately, so he has taken his daughter with him, and he has danced with her, and he has watched her very closely, and forbids any man to come near her.

"Sean, I dare tell you, the men who came here tonight, except for old guys like me, are all hunting. These guys are dressed elegantly, but the fancy clothes can't hide the filth in their hearts. Viscount Brandon said to Sean.

This old troll.

"Viscount, you've counted me in. Sean dissatisfied.

"You?" Brandon took a sip of wine, "and all eyes are on you, and your gaze is only on one woman." ”

"Is it so obvious?" asked Sean, surprised.

"I didn't believe the rumors, but now I do. Brandon glanced at Sean, "Young Viscount, I've been young too." But, as someone who has come before, I tell you in all seriousness that marriage is a contract and a solemn promise. Don't make a big decision on the spur of the moment, which is even more important considering that you are the only one in the Connery family. ”

"And what do you suggest?" asked Sean curiously.

"I don't know!" Brandon said.

Sean was full of question marks.

"It depends on where you put your future wife. Perhaps sensing Sean's dissatisfaction, Brandon continued, "First of all, the fiancée's family background will not insult your family, and it is of course a basic requirement for the family to be in charge, but people usually look to a mountain higher and cling to a wealthy family, because it can help the family prosper." Second, wives usually have a strict education and are knowledgeable, which is a necessary condition for husbands and children to cultivate the future of the family, and a stupid wife is simply a family nightmare. Third, let me tell you a secret, any woman with a big ass will definitely give birth to a healthy heir. As for love, what is that?"

"Huh. Viscount, thank you for telling me this secret. Can I understand that the wife is just a prop or a ladder? Succession is the most important role, and the other is the way to use one's own ascension. And love is for recreation, so canaries can be raised. Sean said.

"Uh, Sean, it looks like you've become a qualified nobleman. At least behave normally here......" Brandon pointed to his head, "but obviously, the look in your eyes tells me that you're not going to do that." But if you marry a woman and have several mistresses at the same time, and they all think it's because of love, I don't say it. ”

"I really don't understand why so many people give me similar advice? Of course I know they may be well-intentioned. Sean said.

"Quite simply, because you always have the demeanor of an atypical aristocracy, which makes everyone feel the need to correct you in order to make you look like your own. Brandon said jokingly, "But don't worry, I think that's jealousy." If you behave like them, they won't feel like they're doing anything wrong. The more successful you are, the more unbearable they become. ”

"Viscount, I'm out of company. Sean crossed the middle of the dance floor and walked to the women's seats and came to Audrey.

At this time, Audrey was surrounded by a group of young men, some of whom were the sons of nobles, some of whom were the sons of bankers, and the most famous artists of Poitou.

They all asked Audrey to dance.

But Audrey's slightly cold temperament blocks their enthusiastic anticipation, and the competition between people of the same sex makes them tense.

"Ma'am, may I invite you to dance with you?"

Sean rudely pushed away the man in front of him, the man glared back fiercely, and saw that it was Sean, the man immediately disappeared from front of him, Sean is not something he can afford to provoke.

In full view, Sean invites Audrey onto the dance floor. Don't talk about others, even Audrey was surprised.

Sean showed his strength, and everyone could only look at him playfully, but no one dared to challenge. Some of the male guests, such as Viscount Brandon, took the lead in applauding if they didn't think it was a big deal.

Countess Koval watched the "little things" that were happening in front of her thoughtfully. She has seen too many of these jealous things, whether in Genoa or in the Holy City. A ball, it would be strange without these secret fights, but the young viscount in front of him didn't seem to have met an opponent worthy of his attention.

Audrey was holding Sean's tulle-gloved hand, Audrey's eyes seemed to be full of inquiry, she was surprised by Sean's boldness, but worried that Sean would make a fool of himself tonight.

However, Sean's performance surprised her, although Sean's dancing was obviously a little clumsy, obviously just learned, but finally did not cause chaos in the audience because of the mistake.

This kind of large-scale group dance can easily cause a chain reaction due to the mistake of one of the pairs, which is usually a terrible disaster. Therefore, skillful dance steps are a must-have configuration for a well-educated high-class person.

"Don't worry, I'm still quite good at learning. Sean smiled and said to Audrey, who was even more nervous than him.

"Huh. Audrey couldn't help but laugh, "But I just felt your hands sweat a lot." ”

"The first time, it's usually a bit nervous. Sean said.

That night in Audrey's mansion in the city, Audrey took the initiative to have a showdown with Sean, believing that Sean had a better option and tried to meet as little as possible.

But Sean still didn't give up, and the two had an argument for the first time, which ended with Sean's temporary concession.

"And who did you learn from?" asked Audrey.

"I spent a lot of money to learn from a teacher, right? After three days of serious study, how can it be called stealing?" Sean said.

"Then you're hiding it quite deeply, why don't you hide it today?"

Audrey is relatively tall among southerners, but she is still half a head shorter than Sean, she raises her face and speaks, her expression is a little playful, showing a girlish charm.

"Because I'm going to surprise you. Sean replied with a smile.

The music reached a climax, the tempo increased significantly, and Sean danced a little flustered, which was good considering the amount of time he had been practicing.

Because he is not very proficient in the rhythm, Sean also took the opportunity to rub oil, and Audrey's face was flushed.

When a piece ends, Sean and Audrey's dancing stops, and Sean sends Audrey back to her original position.

There was applause in the resplendent hall again, but most of it was for Sean.

As Viscount Brandon just said, Sean dances and makes him look like "his own man", although it is difficult to praise it with grace.

Before the next dance, the Countess's eldest grandson, Albert Covar, appeared and he was ceremoniously introduced to the guests, which also announced that he had reached adulthood and could participate in social and public events as the heir to the Corval family.

"Viscount Connery, please deign to come to me. The Countess exclaimed.

"At your disposal, noble lady. Sean stepped forward and saluted.

The Countess sat down in the sofa chair and bowed her head.

"My grandson, Albert, is about to enter the University of Poithu, and the Viscount is the rector of the University of Poitou, so I ask you to be strict with Albert. The Countess said politely.

"It's my pleasure. "The University of Poitou also hopes to attract more young people like your eldest grandson." ”

"The Count also graduated from the University of Poitou, which was decades ago. He was pleased to hear that the University of Poitou had recently been thriving under the Viscount's management, and that the results were evident to all. For this purpose, the Count will pay 50,000 louis to his alma mater. ”

Sean saluted again, "Thanks to the Earl's generosity, this fund will be set up in the name of the Koval family for scholarships, and I promise that every shilling will be used to reward those outstanding students." I think those students who have won the award will definitely feel the kindness and generosity of the Koval family. ”

The Countess was pleased with Sean's reply. Fifty thousand louis is a huge amount of money for a commoner, but for the Koval family, it is just a drizzle.

At this time, it is considered an intermission, in addition to the ball hall, the host has thoughtfully prepared a lounge for the guests, including a bar, a chess room, and a smoking room, and more rooms for the female guests to make up and change into another evening dress.

In addition, this time is also the time for the servants to clean up the broken lace, fake petals, sequins and feathers scattered on the ground, and other decorative knick-knacks for the female guests.

Sean and Viscount Brandon walked side by side into the garden to breathe, exchanged cigars in a tacit manner, and then each swallowed the smoke.

"Sean, do you know why the Countess came all the way back from the Holy City?" asked Brandon suddenly.

"Her eldest grandson, of course, has grown up. Sean said. Brandon was a little annoyed and said:

"Sean, you're dishonest. ”

This is a serious accusation.

Although Brandon is a stubborn aristocrat in every way, he doesn't like anyone, but Sean is an exception.

Sean said helplessly: "Viscount, I did get some news, but I'm not sure. For example, it was rumored that the Count of Koval wanted to get a position at the court, but he had too many competitors, so the Count wanted to push Genoa to legislate a 1/20 tax to make it a universal tax. In fact, we levied it once after all. ”

"I am adamantly opposed to this, and although I own a little more land, I will not pay an extra shilling. Brandon said flatly.

"Rest assured, the Viscount is still in the way. Sean reminded.

"Yes, if they dare to tax the church, I will agree to tax the nobility. Viscount Brandon said.

"Viscount, if you think so, this tax is really likely to be successful. The Third Estate is on the move, and they will approve of anything that can strike at the privileges of the Church and the nobility. You know, the land was mainly in the hands of the church and the nobility. "And land is one of the easiest assets to inventory." ”

"That's a problem. Brandon was upset, "These nouveau riche want to climb on top of me." ”

Count Koval was extremely influential in Genoa, and it was estimated that at least half of those barons would not dare to disobey Count Koval's will, either they were related to the count by marriage, or they had received favors from the count, and some simply lived by the count's face, and once these people agreed, plus the count's promise to the third estate, it was possible to pass the bill by a vote in the Estates-General.

The music in the ball hall begins again, and Brandon and Sean leave the garden when a maid approaches them, and she quietly slips a note to Sean.

Sean glanced at the man in surprise and glanced at the small note while he wasn't looking.

The handwriting is familiar, and the content is terrifying.

The waltz continued, and the crowd was full of young people. Sean quietly walked over to his master's side.

Countess Koval smiled and said, "Viscount, why don't you jump anymore? ”

"Ma'am, I think they need someone around to appreciate it more so that they will be more interested. Sean said.

"I heard that the Viscount has a good relationship with His Royal Highness Philip?" asked the Countess.

"That must be a misunderstanding, as a member of the Royal Society, of course I know the president. In fact, I have only met His Royal Highness Philip a few times, and we have not yet spoken of friendship. Sean replied.

"Viscount, you are very modest. ”

A servant came over with tea and tea, and the Countess was talking to Sean, but her eyes were on the dance floor.

When the servant had finished serving his tea, he suddenly drew a dagger from under the white cloth towel on the silver plate where the tea was served, and stabbed it into the throat of the countess.

The people next to the Countess were stunned, Sean was the closest, but he stretched out his right hand, and the iron tongs took the man's arm in time, twisting it behind his back.

The servant fell to the ground in pain, and was crushed by Sean.

"There's an assassin!" someone screamed.

The assassin convulsed a few times, foamed at the mouth, and committed suicide by poisoning.