Count Persini, after bringing John Brown into the mansion, also drew the attention of Jerome Bonaparte to this fellow dressed in "bizarre attire" (John Brown was wearing a Scottish lace group, which was quite a sight for sore eyes).
"Prince, this is Mr. John Brown, the steward from Windsor Castle!" After introducing John Brown to Jerome, Count Persini added, "He visited Her Majesty a month ago!"
"Yes! A month ago, Prince Louis was still in good health! Who knew he would pass away within a month; truly, life's unpredictability." John Brown wiped the non-existent tears from the corner of his eyes, feigning a look of deep sorrow as he spoke.
Jerome Bonaparte scrutinized John Brown closely, pondering how the actions of the United Kingdom's royal family should be first submitted to the Cabinet, then discussed by the Cabinet, and only then contact made.
Why was the Windsor Castle's royal family's speed so rapid? Unless...
Jerome Bonaparte suddenly considered a possibility that the United Kingdom royal family contacted him directly without involving the Cabinet.
Internally, Jerome felt both regret and relief.
If the United Kingdom's official intervention was involved, it might bring unnecessary troubles for both parties.
Jerome, more than seeking help from the United Kingdom, feared the French Government might suspend him.
Although the Royalist Party in Paris had thwarted Lamartine's proposal that the French royal family should not participate in elections, targeting a specific person with Lamartine's influence might not be too difficult.
And private exchanges between royal families would not fall under scrutiny!
"Thank you to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for their concern. The Bonaparte Clan will surely remember the help that the United Kingdom can give to the Bonaparte Clan..." Jerome expressed a stiff and formal gratitude to John Brown.
Since his cousin had reached some terms with them, he presumably would not go back on his word.
Sure enough, John Brown immediately asked Jerome, "Prince Louis ought to have said some things to you!"
"At the last moment of his life, my cousin informed me of everything!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded as he spoke.
"In that case, I don't need to say much more! The King's Consort's terms remain unchanged, hoping Prince Jerome can fulfill Prince Louis's wish to curb the revolution! Only then will Her Majesty's conditions take effect! That's all I have to say, sorry for the disturbance!" With that, John Brown bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Jerome Bonaparte called after John Brown.
"Prince, is there anything you need me to help with?" John Brown inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.
"It's like this! I would like to borrow Her Majesty's carriage briefly! I wonder if Mr. Brown could fulfill this request of mine!" Jerome Bonaparte pointed to the badge pinned to John Brown's chest as he spoke.
"This..." John Brown hesitated; frankly, he didn't have the authority to lend it, but Prince Albert specifically instructed him to be flexible and accommodate reasonable requests.
Borrowing the carriage was neither a big nor a small matter.
Seeing John Brown's concerns, Jerome Bonaparte preemptively said, "We only hope that Mr. John Brown can take Mr. Persini and me to The Times Building, that's all!"
"So that's it!" Immediately, John Brown assured Jerome that he would certainly meet Jerome's conditions.
Jerome reminded Talan once again to guard the mansion well before he and Persini boarded John Brown's carriage together.
This time, even John Brown had to sit in the driver's seat.
The carriage carrying Jerome and Persini started slowly.
"Prince, what are we going to do at The Times?" Persini softly asked Jerome in the carriage.
"You'll know once we get there!" Jerome did not answer Persini's inquiry, instead turning his gaze to the scenery outside the window.
After passing through several blocks and the bustling district, the carriage arrived at The Times Building.
"Prince, we're here!" John Brown in the driver's seat called out to Jerome inside the carriage.
"Hmm!" Jerome slowly responded from inside the carriage but did not disembark for a long time.
Gentlemen near The Times Building stopped upon seeing the carriage symbolizing the British Royal Family, curious as to who was inside.
The carriage door slowly opened, and under the gaze of the British gentlemen, Jerome and Persini slowly stepped out of the carriage.
"Is it him?"
"I remember he was the steward by Prince Louis's side?"
"How could they be in a royal carriage, unless..."
Louis Napoleon's status in the social circles of France was unprecedented, so much so that even the British gentlemen recognized the person accompanying Louis Napoleon, Persini.
Amidst the British gentlemen's speculation, Jerome once again thanked John Brown and headed directly to The Times Building.
Unaware of being used by Jerome, John Brown returned to Windsor Castle.
In The Times Building, Jerome and Persini met their "old acquaintance," Folb Ebel [Note 1], the English translator of Thiers' "Governance and Empire," who, upon seeing Jerome and Persini, showed a surprised expression, then laughed heartily, "Mr. Persini, Your Highness, you've arrived!"
"Mr. Folb, we need your help!" Jerome informed Folb Ebel of Louis Napoleon's death.
Folb Ebel's expression changed from surprise to shock, and with a look of regret, he expressed to Jerome, "I am very sorry. I had no knowledge of your cousin's passing!"
"It's nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte got to the point; they wanted to have the news of Louis Napoleon's death published in The Times.
"If I may be frank, publishing news about the deceased rashly seems..." Ebel had some concerns, as he was unsure if permission to publish Louis Napoleon's death was granted.
"Please have a look at this!"
With that, Jerome Napoleon took out a folded manuscript.
Ebel opened the manuscript, and the striking title "From Bonaparte to Bonaparte: A Review of the Life of Louis Napoleon" caught his attention.
Such a compelling title quickly captivated Ebel, and with his years of editing experience, he was sure that if the content was substantial, this article would definitely be a bestseller.
PS: 1. Folb Ebel: Translator for The Times, who once entrusted the translation and notes to Louis Napoleon and accompanied him on a tour of Thames Mansion.