What can Mama want at this time of night?
I was nearly asleep. Is it something I've done, do you think?
- What did she say? Did she look cross? - Solemn, I thought.
Oh, dear, what can it be? What have I done?
She can't say much to me anyway. I'm a grown woman.
- Feldy, you know. - Your Imperial Highness.
Feldy, tell me. Feldy, stop.
- The empress is waiting. - I don't care.
- Oh, I must not. I dare not. - I command you.
- Am I to be scolded? - No.
- Is it important? - Yes.
I won't let you take another step, not a step.
Tell me, Feldy. Whisper it. I won't breathe a word. I promise.
Feldy. Sweet Feldy. Dear Feldy.
You're to be married.
Married.
Feldy, how thrilling. How marvelous. To whom? To whom?
- Come on. - Feldy, wait a minute.
Feldy, how can you be so aggravating?
Your Majesty, her Imperial Highness.
Enter, my dear.
Your Highness.
Mama, you sent for me?
- Toni, I have great news for you. - Yes, Mama?
I have just signed your marriage contract.
Married? I'm to be married?
Oh, Mama, how thrilling. How marvelous.
Who is it? What's he like?
This alliance will be very advantageous for our country.
I'm sure it will.
Is he attractive? Do you think he'll like me?
You must see to it that he does, my child.
You must learn to be worthy of your destiny.
I want you to be a good wife, a good queen.
A queen.
I'm to be a queen?
Oh, Mama. Why, Feldy.
You didn't tell me that I'm... I didn't know that...
Mama, Feldy didn't tell me I was to be a queen.
Well, I'm glad Feldy left me something to tell.
You're to be married to the dauphin of France.
- France? - The future king.
France.
I'm to be queen of France.
One day.
You are pleased?
Oh, Mama. Oh, think of it.
Queen of France.
Toni, France is not Austria.
You must accustom yourself to new people and new ways.
Count Mercey is my ambassador at Versailles.
He will guide you when he can.
The rest, you must trust to your husband.
I will. Of course I will. Is he handsome?
There's time for that later. You go to bed now.
They say Versailles is too marvelous.
- I said, to bed. - Yes, Mama.
Versailles is no more marvelous than Vienna.
- No, Mama. - Good night.
Oh, good night, Mama.
And thank you, thank you, thank you.
Mama. Oh, Mama, think of it.
I shall be queen.
I shall be queen of France.
We're the brothers of the bridegroom.
He's Provence, I'm Artois, and much the nicer.
Oh, you both look very nice.
But proceed, madame.
You are most welcome, Marie Antoinette of Austria.
Marie Antoinette of France, Your Majesty.
France is indeed fortunate.
And so is my grandson, Louis.
No, no, no.
This is your cousin, the duke of Orléans.
What a pity.
Louis.
We present to you Louis-Auguste, dauphin of France.
Louis...
...your bride.
It is with the deepest emotion that I tell you...
...that this is the happiest day of my life.
I...
I am very glad...
...and I am only too happy to reply to you...
- There's some more. - More?
To my speech.
It is with the deepest...
For some time I have been looking forward to this meeting.
I...
I have long been awaiting this happy event...
...and now, after my pleasant journey through the happy domains of France...
For some time I have been looking forward to this meeting.
- I thank you with all my heart. - Bravo!
And now, don't you think, my dear grandson...
...that this auspicious meeting might be celebrated by something...
...even more convincing than your delightful speech?
With this ring I thee wed, and I plight unto thee my troth.
Amen.
- Amen. - Amen.
Louis, I cast this pearl before you.
Madame Lamballe.
Oh, dear.
- I'm so sorry, madame. - Not at all.
Thank you, thank you, madame.
Don't you think we should sit down?
Have you ever been away from home?
No.
I'm a bit homesick, of course, but I'm...
I'm not afraid.
- Aren't you? - No.
Most girls would be, with a strange man.
Oh, not that you're strange, I know a lot about you.
What? Who told you?
- Your brothers. - What did they say?
Why, that... That you like to hunt.
I've never hunted, but I'll learn if you'll take me with you.
I ride a horse, you know.
- Do you? - What do you like to do besides hunt?
I work with Gamin.
Gamin? Who's Gamin?
He's a smith. He and I make things in my workshop.
I like to make locks.
Gamin says if I didn't have to be king, I might make a good locksmith.
- He says... - Yes?
- You're not interested. - Oh, but I am.
What else do you do?
I mend clocks.
I've got 20 clocks in my workshop. They all strike at the same time.
Do they?
Well, mostly.
We have a wonderful clock in Vienna.
When the hour strikes, the 12 apostles come out, the whole 12.
I've heard of it.
Do you like to dance?
No...
...but I wrestle with Gamin.
He's strong, but he's not as strong as I am.
You're not as strong as my brothers.
Probably not.
Fireworks!
I love fireworks. Come on, let's look.
Oh, look, how wonderful. Won't you come?
What's the matter? Have I said anything?
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it about my brothers.
Oh, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've offended you.
No, it's not that.
It's just that I don't talk much to ladies.
They like to make fun of me.
Even that woman.
- What woman? - Du Barry.
- You saw her at the wedding. - The one who talked so loud?
- Yes, she hates me. - Does she? Why?
Because I'll be king someday.
She hates you too. You'll be queen.
I don't care. I'll choose your friends.
I haven't any friends.
Haven't you?
I'm not clever like my brothers. I can't think of things to say.
Now you have me.
You're my friend, aren't you?
- I'd like to be. - I'd like to be yours.
My mother says that a happy marriage depends upon the wife.
I suppose so.
A good wife is also a good mother.
My mother had 16 children.
Of course, I don't think we need to have quite so many, do you?
Perhaps I'm talking too much about myself.
Don't you want to talk about yourself?
I have nothing to say about myself.
- I'm sorry. - I like to be alone.
- So do I, at times. - I like to be alone all the time.
- Do you? - All the time. I'll see you in the morning.
Please, please, don't go. Is anything the matter?
My mother will be dreadfully cross with me if I can't make you like me.
- Are you in love with someone else? - No.
Well, then, can't you...
Oh, be quiet. Go back where you came from.
Leave me alone. Leave me alone.
All right, I will. I will. I was only trying to obey my mother.
She asked me to be a good wife. But she didn't tell me how rude you are.
Your mother. It's all her doing.
She wanted an alliance. I didn't ask to have you for a wife.
Oh, didn't you? I didn't know that.
I tried to tell the king, but he wouldn't listen.
All he wants is an heir to the throne.
Well, there'll never be an heir because of me.
There. Now you know.
I'm glad. Glad it's over.
Well, why don't you laugh?
It's funny, isn't it? Anyone would laugh.
I laugh myself.
Please, please don't.
Don't be unhappy.
I'm terribly sorry.
You won't say anything, will you? To the king or that woman?
- I won't say a word to anyone. - You promise?
I promise faithfully, whatever happens.
Thank you. You're very good.
I'm afraid I was rude. I always say the wrong thing.
I'm sorry.
It doesn't matter.
You can be happy here, can't you?
I suppose so.
People will like you.
You could have anything you want.
Yes.
Now...
...will you go?
I'm very tired.
Please go.
Yes, of course.
I'm sorry.
- I am doing it. - Isn't he dainty?
Positively breathtaking!
Sire, have you ever had a gallant more decorous or more obedient?
Not you, or you, or you.
Not even him.
Quiet. Quiet. Listen.
The bells.
Do you know why they're ringing? It's a wedding anniversary.
Oh, not mine. The Austrian's.
So it is. Still, one would think it was yours.
Wouldn't one?
Oh, I must laugh. And how different when she came.
You were all around her, flies at a honey pot.
And I was left out of sight, like an egg in a duck's belly.
- But no, madame, no... - We protest. We protest.
If la France had the spine of a jellyfish, she'd be in Austria.
It's her business to give us an heir.
- Give her time, my dear. Give her time. - For more hysterics?
The creature's nothing more than a sob in a wig.
My dear, I like to do that myself.
I flatter myself that I do it rather neatly.
Booby, we all know you can crack an egg.
It would be something new if you could lay one.
Bravo. Witty and beautiful. Oh, most rare lady. Sire.
His grace of Orléans. I've been waiting.
- Oh, I'm desolate. - His grace is late.
The loss is mine, madame.
Flatterer. I believe you want something.
Let's see. Why, of course I do, madame. I want to be grand admiral of France.
And can we resist him? He has all the charm of a sailor.
- You're too kind. - Oh, but you have.
And I've known lots of sailors. All fancy lads and all liars.
What? What?
Read this little sea ballad. It's about me.
And this couch, my couch, the one you gave me, it was pinned there.
Oh, I'll read it.
Is this the couch of a princess? Is this the couch of a duchess?
Oh, no, indeed Tra la, tra la
It is only the couch of a laundress
- Who wrote this? - Ask his grace of Orléans.
I? Why, I deny it, sire.
He had it written. He paid for it. He has writers by the dozen, riff-raff.
Against the state, against you, against me.
Blast your eyes, I never was a laundress. I was a milliner.
If madame will kindly permit me to assure her that I...
You fool. I could have made you the biggest man in France.
But you weren't smart enough. I found you out.
That has its pleasant side, madame.
For to be frank, as these gentlemen would like to be...
...I am as weary of paying homage to the somewhat overblown charms...
...of the ladies who rule our ruler as the people are of paying their bills.
- Why, you royal lout! - This is enough.
You can't forget, cousin...
...that your great-grandfather was regent of France.
You have his ambition, but without his talent.
No, I'm not afraid of you, nor of the nobles...
...nor of the people, nor of ideas.
The state will last my time.
After me...
...the deluge.
With your permission, Majesty.
And take care, cousin.
The liberals you encourage for your ends...
...may destroy you for theirs.
Good morning.
I wouldn't have missed this for the world.
His face when he saw the pamphlet.
His Royal Highness, the duke of Orléans.
A visitor.
- Will madame receive? - But of course, of course.
- Oh, how do I look? - Oh, you look beautiful.
- Oh, this is so thrilling. - He's so distinguished.
And so wicked.
Cousin...
...this is kind.
We were just enjoying a game of checkers.
Quite exciting.
Forgive my interruption. I seldom venture to intrude.
I know you prefer your solitude.
It's true.
I don't care a great deal for balls and banquets.
There's a certain futility to court life, don't you think?
Oh, quite, quite.
My husband, as you know, has simple tastes...
...and I am content with my books and music.
Oh, and here I come blundering into your little oasis.
Well, the least I can do is to take myself away quickly.
- Oh, no. - Oh, no, no, no, please don't go.
- Do sit down. - Too kind.
You know perfectly well how things are. No one ever comes to see me.
- Except my husband, of course. - Oh, of course.
No one dares. Why does she hate me so?
Why? Perfectly simple.
Because in motion you are grace itself and in repose, a statue of beauty.
You know, my little cousin, you should become alive.
How quickly you would depose that milliner.
- Rebel? - Rebel.
Oh, my.
Don't you dare?
No. Du Barry has every advantage.
Why, she can make men or degrade them.
Who would dare to offend her to be my friend?
Who but you?
Will you permit me to give a ball in honor of the dauphine of France?
- But, cousin... - Paris is waiting for you.
Lights, music, dancing, the opera.
A new world is waiting for you.
Conquer Paris, and you'll conquer Madame du Barry.
Louis, how kind of you to come.
Our wedding anniversary.
Yes, I'd thought you'd forgotten it.
What on earth is that?
It's a spinning wheel.
It's a beautiful spinning wheel.
- Did you make it yourself? - Yes.
- Is it for me? - Well, I...
Hardly a suitable offering, isn't it?
No.
With your permission, Monseigneur.
- You must go? - You'll think of what I've said?
I dare not.
- I don't like that fellow. - Philippe?
He smiles too much.
Oh, but I like people to smile.
But do sit down, or I'll think you want to hurry away.
I was wondering whether...
- Did you hunt this morning? - No.
It would be fun to go with you sometimes.
I thought you'd like to see this.
Yes, I would.
It's wonderful.
- Yes, it works, you know. - Does it?
- If you'd like to... - Monseigneur...
...the Prince de Rohan requests an audience.
Have him come in.
Monseigneur, madame...
...I have the honor to deliver this charming box.
A present? Yes, I'm sure it is.
Our anniversary, you know. From whom?
Oh, that, madame, I am not at liberty to say.
- Shall we unfasten the ribbon? - No, I shall do it myself.
Will you help? It's for you too, you know. What do you suppose it is?
- From the king perhaps. - Oh, I do hope so. Is it from the king?
Madame positively must not ask, or I shall break my vow.
But madame is warm, if I may say so express myself.
Madame is very warm.
A cradle.
An empty cradle.
Since at last it is quite beyond doubt That this cot you're unable to fill
Go back to your Schnitzel and kraut
Leave the job To some baggage who will
Madame, I assure you, I had no idea. The countess du Barry...
- Will you go, monsieur? - I assure you, madame, I knew nothing.
You may leave us, monsieur.
Go back to the person who sent you.
Let her have the satisfaction of knowing that her barb went home.
- Madame. - Will you go, please?
Oh, this is deplorable. Deplorable.
I'll go to the king. I'll have her punished.
I'll have her flogged. I'll have her branded.
Oh, go, Louis.
It would be no use.
Louis, this woman only dares to insult me...
...because you seem to despise me.
- But I... - Help me, Louis. Please, I need you.
I know you don't love me, but couldn't you pretend to like me a little?
- Why, I... - If only you would, before everybody.
I'd feel so secure, so proud. I could even be happy here.
- I could even ignore du Barry. - It would only make trouble.
What if it does?
We have been brushed aside as though we were of no account.
And we've been cowardly enough to submit.
We should live as becomes the heirs to the throne of France.
I want life to be rich and full and beautiful.
It could be if we'd only stand together.
I tell you I can't. I can't try to be anything but what I am.
Why do you plague me?
The king is the king.
And I am a princess of the House of Hapsburg.
I'm an archduchess of Austria...
...and a daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa.
I'm sorry you don't see it my way, Louis.
Because I mean to be the dauphine of France.
Not in the way I might have been if we'd stood together.
But at least, I'll be the brightest, highest figure in this court.
Warm, warm, warm.
Now, I wonder who this can be?
You'll have to guess, monsieur.
Soft silken hair...
...long eyelashes...
...soft flush cheeks.
There's something familiar.
Still I don't know.
I think I'll have to go farther.
Shell-like ears...
...alabaster neck, lovely shoulders.
Someday the Count Artois will go too far.
Undoubtedly. Undoubtedly.
The dauphine. Behind that mask. The dauphine.
Here? At this artists' ball?
Here or at any other such affair in Paris.
No.
I said, no.
Why not?
Perhaps you haven't enough allure, Philippe.
On the contrary, I have too much.
That's why I'm the only man about you to whom you refuse your kisses.
Thank you.
Then you've seen but little of Paris, my dear count.
Why, I've been visiting the museums.
Museums?
One doesn't come all the way from Sweden to visit museums.
Monsieur, the young monsieur. Wait!
Are you by any chance a Russian?
I, a Russian? Unfortunately, no, madame.
Oh, don't say that. I need one so badly.
- Sorry. - Wait.
- Madame? - You must help me. You simply must.
You might very well be Russian.
I don't suppose you could use a native of Sweden?
- Careful. - Perhaps. Wait.
I'll have them open the door.
- I like your Paris. - You know to whom you were speaking?
- No. - Madame la Dauphine of France.
Impossible.
- What is this place? - A gaming house.
If you're wise, you'll walk on with me.
Oh, no, I'm not as wise as that.
Now, you really must excuse me. A royal command, you know.
Besides, I'm a little tired of museums.
Make haste, monsieur. This way.
Come quickly!
But how perfect!
Why do you stare so?
I'm sorry.
Why, you're trembling. Are you afraid?
- Perhaps, madame. - Who are you?
I'm Count Axel Fersen of Sweden, madame. And you?
- Can't you speak Russian? - Alas, madame.
Talk Swedish. They won't know the difference.
- But, madame... - You must help me.
We were playing forfeits, and I had the most appalling luck.
I lost every cent I had. My allowance, my coach and horses.
And I shall lose this necklace if I can't produce a Russian.
I'm glad I arrived in time to save something, madame.
- My time's up. Come quickly. - Madame...
No, no, no. I insist. Come, now.
Please, for my sake.
- Russian it is, then. - That's it. Marvelous!
Come on.
What shall I call you? Something Russian, let me see.
Ivan, Ivan Ivanovitch.
Charles, Philippe. Victory, victory! Here is my forfeit.
Ivan Ivanovitch, a genuine Russian.
Where did you find him? Is he really a Russian?
Oh, and a handsome one too. Don't you think so, Philippe?
Not bad.
- Did you ever see anything more Russian? - Of course not.
I can almost smell the steppes of Russia. I can also almost smell a rat.
Why, Charles. Oh, he doubts me, doubts me.
Monsieur, my Ivanovitch, my Cossack hero, speak.
You see, Artois. The fob.
Bravo! Bravo!
Long live Russia!
What is the Russian for "kiss me"?
No, no, no, Gabrielle, he's mine. I forbid you to touch him.
Oh, isn't he divine?
Look at his big shiny boots and his black buttons. Oh, I adore him.
Have them bring wine. I must drink to my Russian.
Permit me, madame.
To Russia, my Ivanovitch, and your naughty empress.
- Tell us about her. - The intimate details.
Your personal experience.
My dear, is it necessary to detain this gentleman further?
- He amuses me. - He has served his purpose.
Why, Philippe, you're jealous. I'm tremendously flattered.
We're all jealous.
Dare me, sir, you've cost me my favorite fob...
...and I don't like your manner.
But I bear no malice.
I didn't catch your barbaric name.
- Nor I yours, sir. - Hear him.
He didn't catch my name.
Permit me to present myself, sir, and the company.
The troupe from the Opéra Comique.
His Most Christian Majesty's own favorite mummers.
He's the clown.
And this is our most bright and glorious star...
...the toast of Paris, Mademoiselle Gabrielle Ducros.
- Honored, mademoiselle. - A pleasure, monsieur.
I'm astonished you do not know me.
- I've heard much of Mademoiselle Ducros. - Oh, really?
- All Paris talks of no one else. - The devil they do.
- What do they say of her? - She is not unkind.
That a man may ask her to take supper with him in a place not too discreet.
You presume, monsieur.
One may speak of supper with a little actress, sir.
Artois, your joke is sour.
Cousin, inform this man who I am.
Her Royal Highness, the dauphine of France.
The joke is sour.
Mademoiselle is charming and, I've no doubt, talented.
I'm sure mademoiselle excels in the role of soubrette.
She has the appearance, the manners, and the temperament.
Messieurs.
Count Axel Fersen of Sweden. You'll find me at the Swedish Embassy.
Messieurs, if you must, there's a time for such things and a place.
Monsieur, my apologies.
- My lord, as your word. - Madame.
Monsieur...
...the dauphine of France is unable to accept...
...Count Fersen's kind invitation to supper tonight.
But she's entertaining a few friends at the house of Madame de Polignac.
And she begs that he will attend.
Count Fersen regrets, madame. He's expected elsewhere.
A new sensation.
Why, sister, you're flouted.
Be quiet! All of you.
Wait. A wager.
The necklace, it belongs to me now.
Bring your Swede back to supper, then I'll waive all claim to it.
I accept the wager.
Monsieur, wait. I insist.
I beg of you.
I deserve the snub. It was a snub, wasn't it?
- You knew me from the beginning? - I thought so, madame.
If I forgive you for treating me so disrespectfully...
...will you forgive me for dragging you into our game?
- That would only be fair, madame. - And you'll come?
An invitation from me is not only an honor. It is a command.
You wish to carry me back in triumph, a tribute to your caprice?
Will you come?
I doubt your motives, madame. I have my vanity too.
I won't urge you.
But if we must part, at least let us part as friends.
For a moment you had me fooled.
What?
The words were the words of Madame la Dauphine...
...but the lips were the lips of Mademoiselle Ducros.
Many thanks, little soubrette, and good evening.
You've been scorned.
Oh, most definitely.
- The necklace. - Silence!
My cloak. We are leaving.
- What a night. - Don't remind me of it.
You'll feel better when you get your beauty rest.
Good night. Good night.
- Good morning. - Count Mercey, you're back from Vienna.
As you see, madame. May I ask for a private audience?
- Must it be now? - With your permission.
Make it a brief one.
I'm tired.
Was it madame's intention that I should follow her into her bedchamber?
Since you insist.
You are excused, mesdames.
- How did you find my mother? - As well as I expected.
Her Majesty has many cares.
Including, I suppose, her daughter.
Well, let me hear it. But briefly, please.
My mother's admonitions have lost their novelty.
I've been told of a necklace costing 200,000 livres.
Which I lost tonight on a wager.
You must be out of your senses, madame.
What on earth is driving you to this extravagance?
This mad pursuit of pleasure which can end only in...
But not in boredom.
At least, not yet.
In these times, madame, your excuses will not fail to impress the people.
Why, they adore me. I've conquered Paris.
No, madame. Paris has conquered you.
Do you realize that you're the first dauphine of France...
...ever to be spoken of openly as a wanton?
Oh, I know it's a lie, madame, but such lies are dangerous.
You have enemies, not only among the people...
...but here, in your own court.
I would have them in any case, no matter what I did.
You don't really believe that, madame.
But let me come to the point.
There is a point.
You're giving a ball on the 15th.
Another lecture on my expenditures.
I have heard enough.
His Majesty will attend, accompanied by Madame du Barry.
Do you think His Majesty would like me with my hair dressed low?
Did you say accompanied by Madame du Barry?
His Majesty insists that you recognize Madame du Barry in public.
Do I understand you correctly, Count Mercey?
Meet that... That...
I, whom you reproach for mere trifles.
I would rather die than be so humiliated.
Then, I have failed in the most important mission of my life.
I must place my resignation in Her Majesty's hands.
With Your Royal Highness' permission.
Count Mercey...
Madame?
You make it very difficult for me.
My friends will despise me.
I shall despise myself.
- But I'll speak to her. - Thank you, madame.
I can just see her smirking there...
...and I shall try not to box her ears, but...
But I'll speak to her.
If I dared say how much I'd like to see you box her ears.
His Majesty, the king.
- Please don't humiliate yourself. - But I must, I must. I promised.
- Don't... - Please don't make it harder for me.
Egad, what a triumph for the milliner.
I'm so nervous I could faint.
My dear, you look charming.
Your Majesty is too kind.
Your ambassador assures me that we may rely upon your good intentions.
I shall not disappoint an old friend.
You'll not find me ungrateful.
Whereas...
Your Majesty is too gracious to threaten.
Madame la Comtesse du Barry.
I'm late, madame.
But with His Majesty's permission, a slight headache.
I'm so sorry, madame. It was a pleasure delayed.
For me too, madame. I might say a triumph.
You're very kind.
I presume I shall not have the honor of meeting His Royal Highness?
My husband doesn't care for dancing, madame.
Quite the family man, isn't he?
The fireside, the nursery, and all that.
Well, here is my old friend.
And how well he takes a husband's place.
I'm sorry you feel your triumph incomplete, madame.
My husband has better sense than I.
He knows where to draw the line.
Will you dance, madame?
So that's it? I'm dirt, eh?
Not good enough for your high and mightiness.
But no, madame.
Royalty loves an occasional roll in the gutter.
- Don't they, Grandpapa? - Madame.
I enjoy nothing more than meeting people of broad experience.
Recollect yourself.
You see, I've never walked the streets of Paris.
But I'm sure you could tell me something about that.
You will prefer to leave, madame.
As I do.
Continue the dance.
Shall we dance?
I'm afraid not.
With madame's permission...
...His Majesty requests that madame attend him in his apartments...
...at her pleasure.
- Will you wait? - Naturally.
- It may be an eternity. - Then I shall wait an eternity.
- Your Royal Highness. - Order my carriage.
I'd given you up.
What's happened?
Antoinette, what's happened?
Do forgive me.
I just thought of something funny.
Something I'd quite forgotten.
Antoinette, stop.
Stop it. What is it?
It's my wedding anniversary, Philippe.
My fourth wedding anniversary.
And my marriage is to be annulled.
I'm to be sent back to Austria...
...and it's my fourth wedding anniversary.
It's funny, isn't it?
Your marriage is to be annulled?
Oh, in the nicest way, of course.
In the interest of the dynasty. That's funny too.
Well, what about the Austrian alliance?
The Austrian alliance will be preserved, providing I go quietly.
- It's amazing. - Isn't it?
I'm dumbfounded. I never dreamed that he should dare.
Philippe...
I must find Mercey. I must tell him what has happened.
- The Austrian ambassador? - Yes. Will you take me to him?
- Take me to him. A moment, do you mind? - Wait.
I think not.
Oh, you're not...
Philippe, you don't mean that you...
I would be ruined if I were to accompany you tonight.
That's right. You would, wouldn't you?
Forgive me for staring.
I seem to be seeing you for the first time.
I've never known you. That's why I've always hesitated.
I'm glad now...
...because you've never really loved me, have you?
Oh, do be frank. It's sometimes so amusing to be quite frank.
You were only interested in the future queen, weren't you?
The future queen of France.
Yes.
Thank you, Philippe.
And now go, will you.
Do go or I shall laugh again.
I shall laugh.
To the Austrian embassy.
What's the meaning of this? Why are you here?
I don't want her to be sent back.
Indeed?
His Majesty is not well.
But it isn't her fault. Don't you understand?
- What's he talking about? - Will you go, please?
No. You get out.
Listen, Grandfather. It's going to be different now.
Get up, you fool.
Your argument is as unimpressive as your appearance.
Your wife goes back to Austria.
Your marriage will be annulled.
I'll hear no more of it.
Get out.
Get out. Get out.
I'll get out.
But I'll come back.
I'll come back when you're dead.
- I'll be king then. - Silence.
And you, you know what will happen to you when I'm king?
There are places for women like you in the Bastille.
- Stop it. Make him stop! - Silence!
I'm going to have my wife back. I'm going to have children.
I know. But you, you're old, you're weak.
You're not going to live long.
I'll be sitting there and you'll be dead.
- Be silent! - Sit down!
Forgive me, sire.
I didn't mean to touch you.
Forgive me.
His Excellency had friends to dinner...
...the Swedish ambassador and other gentlemen.
Dinner was barely over when the king's messenger arrived.
His Excellency was obliged to leave immediately.
How unfortunate.
Will Your Royal Highness wait?
No, thank you, Franz.
Will you see that my carriage is prepared for my return?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Mama.
I'm sorry, I had no idea. I thought the room was empty.
Excuse me, I left some papers.
May I?
Thank you. And pardon me.
I know I'm making a nuisance of myself, but if there's anything I can do...
Thank you. There's nothing.
It's hard to be helpless when...
May I get you a glass of sherry?
I'm trying to tell you that my life is at your service, you know.
Haven't you heard the news?
You know why the king has sent for Count Mercey.
And still I can't get rid of you.
You want to be my friend in my disgrace?
Yes.
I'm not impressed, Count Fresen.
I've lived at court too long, I've seen too much tonight.
Confess, I attract you.
I saw it in your eyes that night.
You want to profit by the occasion.
You'd like to make love to me, wouldn't you?
Yes, I would like to make love to you.
You think that would be a simple matter, I suppose?
From my point of view, yes.
Then you risk nothing in offering me your attentions.
You're not French, you need no favors from the king of France.
I wouldn't cry.
He isn't worth it.
Oh, be quiet. Must you preach too?
What have you to offer in his place?
I don't know what his place was.
I offer you myself.
How generous of you. How adroit.
How comforting to a discarded woman.
Oh, surely you must have heard.
They said he and I were...
I know that isn't true.
You don't know anything about me.
I've known you all your life.
You saw me for the first time at the gaming house in Paris.
You're mistaken, madame.
At 13 you could neither write German nor French correctly.
You knew nothing of history.
You liked music, but you trifled with it, as with everything else.
Gluck was your music master. He brought you apples and you threw them at him.
You were inattentive, spoiled and adorable.
You've been talking of me to Count Mercey.
You came to breakfast every day and said something wonderful was about to happen.
On rainy days, you sat at a small gilded table...
...and pressed rose leaves and screamed.
You had a blue Noah's Ark with Monsieur and Madame Noah...
...and 24 pairs of animals.
You had a little farm with woolly sheep...
...and a little red cow named Plop.
Why, it's true, monsieur.
How do you know it?
Do you remember a governess, Madame Cordat?
A sort of little flopping person, like a respectable magpie?
Pecky. Not Pecky?
Pecky. She became my sister's governess.
And chattered all this? Oh, how dreadful.
When she left, she left you with me.
And I... I fell in love with you.
I dreamed of daring feats in your defense.
The world rocked in some tremendous upset...
...and I rode through seas of blood to your side.
How very foolish of you.
I was jealous too.
Insanely jealous.
It maddened me to think that paid menials could hear your voice...
...see your hair unbound.
And when you were married, I was in despair.
I begin to understand, monsieur, why you were so angry that night.
You thought of me as something quite wonderful, didn't you?
But instead, you found an empty-headed, ill-mannered little fool.
You see, monsieur, how sadly I am changed.
Oh, no. No, madame.
You have made pleasure a shield against loneliness and slander...
...but you could never change so deep a heart, so eager to be loved.
Everyone, even the highest, has some dream of love in his heart.
And unless he achieve it...
...he must fill that emptiness with noise, fame, excitement, pleasure.
Where did you learn this, monsieur?
In museums, mostly.
Museums?
They're very dull, most of them, and neglected...
...but you'll always find someone there...
...gazing over the relics of queens who were true lovers.
There isn't much to see. A ring, a glove, a fan, perhaps.
But we preserve them as we do our laws.
And we have much more faith in them.
Do you think, a hundred years hence...
...some Swedish gentleman, wandering in Paris...
...might smile over a relic of Marie Antoinette?
A miniature, perhaps, or a ring?
This very ring, for instance.
It's centuries old.
It has an inscription on it.
"Everything leads me to thee."
Can you see it...
...lying on a velvet cushion in its little glass case?
I don't know.
You might make a present of it, perhaps, to some man who had loved you.
And it would be worn on his hand for as long as he lived...
...and buried with him when he died, because he loved you reverently...
...and as was fitting, from a respectful distance...
...but with all his heart, for all his life.
I must go.
- But Count Mercey... - It doesn't matter. My cloak.
- Madame... - Let me alone. Let me go.
You're only upsetting me, you always do.
- I? - Yes, yes.
Last time, and now, the things you say.
You hurt me. No one has hurt me so.
I hurt you?
Oh, I'm tired, tired, I don't know what I'm saying.
You bewilder me.
I can't think. So many words, such wonderful words.
What were you telling me?
That I love you.
What else have I been saying with every word, and with no right?
That you love me.
Let me be still a moment and understand.
When we first met, my heart stood still.
I knew then, really.
I knew something had happened.
Something glorious and terrible and everlasting.
But...
...I thought love came more happily.
What are you saying?
Perhaps the great loves come with tears.
The dawn is breaking.
How beautiful it is.
I knew it would be beautiful.
I must go.
- You're not afraid? - No.
Stay a moment.