After all the dishes had been served, John Brown reappeared in the dining room, this time holding a bottle of unopened chestnut-colored sherry.
"Would you like a glass of sherry?" Prince Albert asked Palmerston in a cheerful tone.
Palmerston pretended to be flattered and agreed with Albert, but inwardly he kept warning himself not to speak out of turn after drinking.
Compared to Queen Victoria, who had no "schemes," Palmerston was more "afraid" of Prince Albert.
This high-achieving student from Germany seemed to exist naturally for the British system. On him, Palmerston saw not a trace of the frivolity that should accompany nobility; he was like a seasoned politician in the political sea, skilled at stabbing you in the back without a sound.
Albert signaled to John Brown to open the cork, and with a "pop," Brown opened this wine that had been sealed for nearly 200 years, originating from the small town of Jerez in Spain.
Another servant appeared in the dining room with a tray holding four crystal glasses, each containing two sugar cube-shaped ice cubes. The ice cubes emitted a white chill, forming a layer of frosty mist on the glass walls. John Brown carefully poured the sherry into the crystal glasses, and as the dark amber liquid, similar to beer, filled the glasses, the frost disappeared and the ice cubes floated on top.
Once John Brown finished preparing the four glasses of sherry with ice, four servants entered the dining room to place the sherry in front of Prince Albert, Palmerston, and others.
The four servants departed, and after bowing to everyone present, John Brown carefully half-closed the dining room door and waited outside for Albert's summons.
"To Britain!" Albert raised his glass and turned his gaze to Palmerston, and Queen Victoria likewise turned to look at Palmerston's wife.
Palmerston immediately raised his glass, showing a flattered expression, and said, "To the Queen and the Prince!"
Madam Palmerston did the same.
The warm sherry matched with the coolness of the ice slid down Palmerston's throat into his stomach, making him feel slightly inebriated.
After half a glass, Prince Albert did not speak further. He gently picked up a silvered dining knife, cut a piece of beef loin, and placed it in his mouth.
Seeing that Albert did not say anything, Palmerston also cut the beef loin and chewed it slowly.
It was only after his second sip of sherry that Prince Albert brought up the main topic: "Palmerston, what is your view on the recent events occurring in Britain?"
Palmerston immediately put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and after pondering for a moment, deflected, "Your Highness, the domestic affairs of Britain are the responsibility of Prime Minister Russell; surely, he knows better than I do!"
Seeing Palmerston pass the ball, Albert could only inwardly curse "old fox" without any other recourse. Albert was unwilling to believe that Palmerston, who aspired to the position of Prime Minister, truly did not understand the much-discussed "Charter Movement" and probably just didn't want to get involved in the matter.
Internally lashing out at Palmerston, Albert still maintained a kind smile and said, "As the Foreign Secretary, can you tell me what has been happening on the continent? Understanding the events in Europe and properly handling Britain's relations with neighboring countries should be within your responsibilities, right?"
"Your Highness, which part would you like to hear about?" Palmerston asked.
For some reason, Albert suddenly recalled what Dr. James told him this afternoon, and he immediately said, "Let's talk about our old neighbor France first. After all, this revolution originated from that country."
Palmerston deliberated for a moment, reorganized his thoughts, and said, "After the February riots, the Parisians drove their king out of the palace! The entire country is showing its worst side, with the Republican Faction and the Mountain Party barely maintaining a republic."
"So, the French riots won't affect Britain?" Albert continued to ask.
The fear from the Great Revolution had already embedded deeply in the bones of European monarchs, and to instill fear of the revolution, they did not hesitate to demonize everything about the Great Revolution.
Palmerston, having combined information from the British ambassador to France and the overall changes in Europe, replied, "From the current situation, this riot is different from the one decades ago; the French political situation lacks a decisive force to unite France! Those former dynasty's parliamentarians are still in their original positions."
"Is that so!" Prince Albert nodded and further asked, "Which faction in France do you think can ultimately prevail? Can the Bourbon Dynasty be restored?"
Palmerston shook his head and responded with concern, "From Britain's interest, a dynasty is always better than a republic, but based on the current intelligence, France's future is likely to fall into the hands of the Republican Faction."
"Didn't you say those parliamentarians are still in their original positions?" Albert, lacking intelligence on France, asked in confusion.
"Your Highness, it has been 33 years since the Bourbon Dynasty from 1815 to now; the Parisians have grown tired of the Bourbons! The Parisians themselves are a people who love the new and dislike the old!" Palmerston added, "Although from our view, the two generations of Bourbons are from the same source but different branches, in the eyes of the Parisians, the power of France has merely shifted from one Bourbon to another!"
Palmerston in April could not have foreseen that the June Revolution two months later would push the Republican Faction, who were originally winning, directly into the abyss of defeat.
"What if... the Bonaparte Clan?" Prince Albert speculatively asked.
A glint of surprise flashed in Palmerston's eyes, as he had heard some rumors about Albert's contacts with the Bonaparte Clan. It seemed some rumors were not groundless.
"Your Highness, with all due respect!" Palmerston said straightforwardly, "The Bonaparte Clan has been absent from the political scene for over 30 years; its influence has long vanished with the Empire's dissolution. A party without influence can hardly achieve anything in the French political arena!"
Then Palmerston changed the subject and said, "Of course, I'm just speaking generally; who knows, the French political landscape can change rapidly, and perhaps a miracle will occur! A proper investment is still very necessary! An empire is far better than a republic!"