There was no clock in the church, but they felt as if everything was counting down. The ticking sound echoed in their minds, as if each stroke of Turner's brush would pull a long-dead friend from their memories.
Dickens, sitting on the pew, could no longer bear the scene. He stood up and said to his friends beside him, "It's too stuffy in here. Why don't we go out for a walk?"
Great Dumas took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Let's go out for a smoke. By the way, Louis, did you find out about the honor bestowed upon Arthur by Scotland Yard?"
Louis stood up and nodded, "Lord Luo Wan has already gone to see Viscount Melbourne. He told me that the Home Office has agreed to the request. The list has now been handed to His Majesty the King. If he agrees to make an exception for Arthur and hold the ceremony on a day other than the New Year or his birthday, then everything will be a success."
