Gallant Ladies Page #3

---

She asked me to send for you.

She's still in bed.

Come in, M. de Brantme.

Do you know the resurrected Mlle.

de Thorigny?

M. de Champvallon forgot his hat again.

We'll give it to him tonight.

I was eager to see you.

My mother tells me you were successful.

My brother's returning.

Yes, and on your conditions.

That's fine diplomacy.

One day, my brother will be King.

You and I will benefit

from his ambitions for peace.

Take this handkerchief.

It will be your password.

Your cousin Bussy is a lout.

I dismissed him.

He had two other mistresses.

I hope you're not like that.

I don't want my belt stolen.

Talk about women.

I hear you and Bussy

know them best at court.

It's a treat for me to know them.

Come, come, Brantme, to each his own.

Keep your rank. I'm a king's wife.

Or find a way to make me want to.

Farewell, till we meet again!

Many a kiss on your lips.

Many a kiss on your lips.

I never had the chance.

Peace talks had begun.

She joined her husband,

the King of Navarre, in Nrac.

Tell your master a lady is here to comfort him.

He'll understand.

My poor friend! It's my turn

to warm your heart.

Your queen has gone!

We're just friends.

Friendship and love are the same for you.

Not really.

It's fortunate we both refuse jealousy.

I've only two hours.

We must try to hurry.

Help me.

How can you live in such bareness?

My husband's arms.

The Marchal de Labadens

likes to be everywhere.

The clergy forbids women

to wear underpants.

If they do, they're excommunicated!

The devout are bare-assed all winter!

First assault!

Let's see your muzzles!

Brantme! Next time you won't get away.

Your mistress's protector

refuses to share her.

Thank you.

Which mistress does he mean?

If only I knew!

I like cuckolds...

but not cruel, bloodthirsty maniacs!

They can't satisfy their wives!

They assume the right to murder!

Often they kill wife

and lover to marry again!

Is that Christian?

They kill women...

often superior to them...

in beauty, talent,

intelligence and charm.

For women are superior to us!

Cuckolds don't realize that!

If God exists, He must be a woman!

The Romans simply repudiated their wives.

Anyway...

if they want to kill me

for loving ladies...

let them do it while I'm rutting lustily!

If this is your reaction, gentlemen...

I'll make more cuckolds before I die!

I swear I will!

I'm your neighbour, madam.

Never mind!

Is your master in? - Yes, madam.

Alone?

Have you heard?

Your cousin Bussy has been murdered.

I know. Another jealous husband!

I don't think so. It's political,

disguised as adultery.

Like you, Bussy supported Monsieur.

He was killed for his boasting.

Beware of the king.

Am I that dangerous?

Yes.

I may have the answer.

You'll be protected

by an escort and soldiers.

Marry Louise de Charenonnay,

my husband's niece.

When you enter the Labadens family,

no one will dare attack you.

I'll do it!

I must warn you, she's not

quite made for marriage.

How can I put it... Louise

is a bit mannish...

but she never slept with a man.

Well, she only likes ladies,

nothing but ladies.

Will she accept?

They want an unconsummated marriage.

If she doesn't, her fortune

goes to collaterals.

This noble maiden has a total...

of 60,000 pounds annually...

as her dowry...

along with other advantages

in kind, such as...

hunting and land rights,

mills and miscellaneous...

To which we must add...

20,000 pounds from the town house...

5,000 pounds paid quarterly...

making in all a total

income of 80,000 pounds...

annually. Signed this day.

80,000 pounds of income a year!

My niece is a treasure trove.

I can see how she ensnared you!

It's fortunate our families

are equally glorious.

My dear Louise...

give me your hand so that I may

give it to your fianc...

whom I'm sure you'll willingly accept.

The wedding will take

place in four weeks.

You'll move to the mansion then.

In the meantime, Louise will stay here.

Louise...

I want you to be open with your fianc.

Both look replete with love.

The gossip could only be

to your advantage.

I'll respect the proprieties, Uncle.

The 6th Civil War comes to an end.

Arms are laid down...

or rather put aside.

They may come in useful again.

Ladies...

let's celebrate peace.

What a good idea! You

should come more often.

You've seen so many countries.

When we're married, I'd like...

to travel abroad with you,

to Venice, Greece...

Lesbos!

My uncle told us...

that we should act like lovers.

Kiss me.

That's the hors d'oeuvre.

Now show me what you do to others, sir.

Can I not arouse passion

within a good man?

Stop your snuggling. Leave me.

Don't play with caresses!

Let's play it rough!

Like the Virgin of Heraklion!

You'll go the same way!

Diane, help! Help!

The beauty of a woman!

What a feat! You're a real man!

I heard something else.

It seems you were led

into the country, masked...

to serve a lady.

Do you know the lady?

No, but I would have liked to.

I wanted to help you, not create a rival!

I have no reason to marry you now.

If there are flowers

in the antechamber, I'm busy.

Don't come in.

My misfortune was as great as my pride.

Such is Paris. She prefers

insolence to virtue.

I want Monsieur.

He's here.

I have to marry the Comte de Pangeas.

A buffalo.

Don't forget me.

Never.

Sire...

I can't find my persecutor. He has fled.

Calm down, Lord Chamberlain. He

had to fight the Barbaresques...

or I'd seize his fortune.

Some muscatel?

I'm well placed to become King.

I'd know how to make peace last.

Since Bussy died, I only have you.

Ladies, hurry. We're going

on a royal pilgrimage.

Again?

We're going to mass at Chartres.

The king needs an heir.

Believers can walk. The others

will go by litter. Hurry!

I'm sick of sleepless nights, going

to Chartres at a snail's pace!

It's my fifth pilgrimage.

If she can't have a child,

she should go elsewhere.

She's had offers but always refuses.

The king! The king! He's here!

It's time to atone for our sins

with a fine prayer.

I expect my young brother

to pray the most.

You can count on it.

Well, any more bad news for me?

We'll talk of stoicism at dinner.

Desportes will describe Marcus Aurelius.

M. de Brantme!

You wished to see me, I believe?

Majesty, death has struck again.

Andr, my brother,

seneschal of Prigord...

and I appeal to you.

He made his will before he died.

It doesn't concern you.

And I won't intervene.

I've often asked you for a new stipend.

I believe this is yours.

It was found in your room.

You had it searched!

Don't shout. I hate that.

My sister gives too many of them away.

You keep poor company.

You'll no longer have mine.

Farewell.

Didn't you want to make love to me?

We met at Mme. de Retz's once.

Mme. de la Rivire!

Are you still only unfaithful when full?

Precisely! I'm two months pregnant.

Really?

I prefer doing it dressed.

My satisfaction is greater.

The most pathetic pass in front of me.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes