Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 53 Earl Hall

Before the Industrial Revolution: The aristocratic economy relied entirely on land rent and feudal privileges, profiting by controlling manors, collecting rent from tenant farmers, and monopolizing local judicial and administrative power, and was the absolute top of the economy.

After the Industrial Revolution: Traditional land rent income was impacted by industrial capital. Some conservative nobles gradually declined due to their attachment to land, while enlightened nobles turned to investing in railways, mines, and factories, gradually transforming their original land advantage into a capital advantage to maintain their wealth and status.

For example, the nobles, relying on the resources they had urgently needed in the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, such as cotton, iron ore, and coal, ate their fill of rich food.

But as time passed, the Industrial Revolution initiated by Russell had been underway for over a century. The "advantages" of the old aristocracy were diminishing, while more and more ordinary people were becoming capitalists through generations of wealth accumulation and the tides of time.

Once this new class became wealthy, they began to seek higher social status, such as purchasing a "noble" title for their family or entering the political arena to gain power.

Of course, these "old-established" nobles could not stand idly by and watch the "children of former serfs" infringe upon their very foundation, their "legislative power." So they pressured the "House of Lords" to stipulate that a nobleman must possess land corresponding to his rank, which greatly slowed down the "rate of erosion."

The enactment of this bill effectively sealed the doors of the "House of Lords." However, some people did become "nobles," such as the lowest-ranking knights and barons.

A baronet can be purchased by donating to a political party; the price is clearly stated as £30. A baronet does not have a seat in the House of Lords.

Although they cannot enter the "Upper House," they can enter the "Lower House" through elections. Entering the Lower House also grants certain special powers, so new people continue to buy seats.

At the same time, not all nobles in the House of Lords are old-guard Conservatives like the Duke of Pallas Negan. In recent years, some nobles have transformed into "new parties" representing capitalists. But no matter how much this situation is discussed, it is ultimately caused by the uneven distribution of benefits.

As night fell and the city lights came on, Altair, in his own carriage, attended Count Hall's banquet as scheduled. Although the invitation mentioned riding in their carriage, he couldn't actually do so; after all, they were just being polite.

Are you implying your family's bankruptcy by saying you're riding in his carriage?

Looking at the numerous carriages in front of Earl Hall's house, Altair couldn't help but sigh at the sheer number of people. Fortunately, Earl Hall had an excellent wife who arranged everything perfectly; otherwise, things would have been in complete chaos by now.

The badge on the carriage signifies that this is a gathering of big shots; you might even hit a baron if you just threw a brick at him.

Once the carriage arrives at the main gate, you will see a butler dressed in a black suit, holding a guest list, loudly announcing names and titles at the main entrance.

After Altair removed his cloak and gloves, he was led to the reception hall.

Upon entering the reception hall, you will see Earl Hall and Countess standing at the entrance to greet you. After the group has exchanged greetings,

Countess Caitlin Hall was surprised to see Altair's entourage: "Madame Anna, I really didn't expect that you would be accompanying Count Altair to the banquet today. The Hall family welcomes you."

Lady Anna, Count Altair's accompanying teacher, said frankly, "I am Count Altair's etiquette teacher, and I came to the banquet at his invitation. I apologize for the inconvenience."

.......

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, a maid took the handbag and the pet. Countess Catherine then led them into the hall and introduced them to the group.

Since not everyone had arrived and the banquet had not officially begun, Altair and Audrey left the banquet hall, intending to return before the banquet started.

After finding a place to sit in the garden, Audrey hugged the black panther and said, "Where did you buy this pet? It's so cute! I want to buy one too."

Since the black panther is still a puppy, at most three months old, and its current size is only that of a medium-sized domestic dog, Audrey, who is sitting down, does not feel much strain when she holds it.

Altair smiled and said, "I don't know where to buy it either. Count Strauss brought it back from the Southern Continent. If you want it, you'll have to ask your father to find it for you."

"Oh, I forgot, your second brother Alfred Hall is also in the Southern Continent. You can send him a telegram and ask him to look for him."

Audrey nodded, agreeing with Altair's suggestion, and said, "I'll have Father send a telegram to my second brother tomorrow, asking him to find me one. He's so cute, like a cat. A big cat with cat-like habits and a dog's body."

Audrey acted as if she had found a new toy, touching his back, his belly, and moving his paws.

Watching her movements, Altair warned, "Be careful of the panther's claws and teeth. He's grown sharp baby teeth now; don't get scratched."

Audrey stroked the soft, downy fur of the animal still carrying its cubs and smiled, "I know, I won't touch its dangerous parts."

"You have no idea what kind of life I've been living lately. Every day I have to strengthen my etiquette training, including the standard range of curtsy, the appropriate manners when talking to the opposite sex, and dance skills."

"My mother also personally taught me about arranged marriages, such as how to observe the other party's family background and character. It was so boring! Did you go through the same thing?"

At this time, Audrey had not yet undergone strict etiquette training, and her girlish nature was still intact, so it was normal for her to complain about such things.

Altair smiled, then said helplessly, "No, at most I've only received etiquette lessons from Mrs. Anna and the others."

"I didn't study as many complicated courses as you."

Perhaps the play just now had relaxed Audrey, and she had forgotten about Altair's background.

When she realized what had happened, she quickly apologized.

Audrey lowered her head and said softly, "I'm so sorry, Altair, I had completely forgotten about your family."

Altair explained to her, "It's alright, Audrey. It's been a long time, and I've started to forget about it. It's okay, you don't need to blame yourself."

......

Not long after, a servant came to the garden looking for the two. Upon seeing them, the servant explained that the banquet was about to begin and they could prepare to enter.

Because they had just been playing with the black panther in the garden, the maids needed to help them adjust their dresses. After they finished, the two slowly walked back to the hall.