Marie Antoinette Page #2

from your mother.

Dearest Antoinette:

It is clear that the heart

of your problems in your new home...

...is your inability to inspire

sexual passion in your husband.

There is no reason a girl

with so many charms as you...

...should be in this situation.

Remember, you represent

the future...

...and nothing is certain

about your place there...

...until the final physical act to crown

the Franco-Austrian alliance...

...is performed.

It's cold.

It is a bit chilly.

Shall I get you a blanket?

No. It's okay.

Are those your feet?

They're like icicles.

Well...

...sleep well.

Thank you.

- Night.

- Good night.

Your hair always looks so pretty.

- Oh, do you think so?

- Yeah, it's gorgeous.

- It's not what I'm used to. It is.

- It's so nice to be blond.

- Have you been to see Lonard?

- No.

My head is in agony.

- This morning, I think, you know--

- Did he pull it?

Lonard must've been

in a bad mood...

...because he was pulling

my hair so hard.

And I want to tell him, you know, it's

not my fault if he's had a bad morning.

Don't take it out on my scalp.

That was unnecessary.

Watch it.

I would love to go

to the opera in Paris.

Why go to the opera when we can

listen to the comtesse here?

Must she sing all night?

Can't you do something

about your wife?

Madame, shall we retire

to make love all night?

Four times last night wasn't enough.

Dear Antoinette:

I am extremely concerned

with your situation.

Fortunately, the king doesn't show

preference for your sister-in-law.

But what if she becomes pregnant?

Also, I have heard...

...that you are not making

invitations to Madame du Barry.

Snubbing the king's favorite,

in your position...

...is extremely unwise.

- Du Barry is dreadful.

- Dreadful.

The way she dresses.

She thinks she is the queen.

Yes, she does.

And those ridiculous pet monkeys.

Where does she come from?

From every bed in Paris.

You know, we didn't think she'd

last long until she married the comte...

...and then he was conveniently

shipped away somewhere.

She doesn't stay in the boudoir.

- She's political.

- Very.

And extremely anti-Choiseul.

And I don't want to say this...

...but I don't think that she has

greeted you with respect.

That's just my opinion.

Ambassador Mercy says

I must pay her a visit.

Well, if we invited you to tea

at the last minute...

...you wouldn't be able to,

would you?

She died giving birth

to her tenth child.

What a pity. What a pity.

- There was blood all over--

- Here comes our little Austrian.

- Good afternoon, madame.

- Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. You look lovely.

Oh, thank you. So do you.

Thank you.

Look at du Barry.

What is she wearing now?

Another one of her exotic fantasies?

She can't pass a mirror

without seducing it.

Do you think she's wearing

enough jewelry?

Never enough for du Barry.

She's coming.

Oh, I love your shoes, Victoire.

Oh, why, thank you.

I got them from Christian in Paris.

- Oh, I must call on him.

- Yes, you must. He's wonderful.

Madame du Barry would like

to offer you some diamonds.

I have enough diamonds.

Snubbing the king's favorite is publicly

criticizing the king's behavior.

All you need do is say

a few words to her.

Because of rank she is not

allowed to speak first.

I certainly have nothing

to say to her.

Why should I approve of his

cavorting with a harlot?

- Your Royal Highness.

- Well, that's what she is.

Everyone knows she's from a brothel

and that title was bought for her.

Your mother and I

are very concerned.

Du Barry has been complaining to

the king that you will not address her.

And you cannot afford

to fall out of favor with the king.

Especially as your marriage...

...not exactly on solid ground.

Fine. I'll talk to her.

There are a lot of people

at Versailles today.

Yes, there are.

Those are my last words

to that woman.

The first mechanical locks

were made of wood.

Records show them in use

some 4000 years ago in Egypt.

Any good fans? That one's pretty.

- Evening or daytime?

- I like lace.

These are so du Barry.

- Do you like these for hair?

- It's beautiful.

- You don't think it's too much?

- Maybe one.

- One feather?

- Yeah.

Or in white?

Can we get these in white, maybe?

I don't know if I like that one.

I love these.

Do you want these too?

Yeah, but in pink.

Oh, okay. Two in pink.

Has madame read the brief

on our current situation?

No, I haven't read it yet.

Can you just tell me about it?

Well, the reforms in Poland by King

Poniatowski have led to civil war.

The Russians and the Austrians

have taken over a third of Poland...

...which is, of course, distressing...

...as Poland is a friend and ally

of France.

Which sleeve do you like?

With ruffles or without?

Have you been paying

any attention?

Your mother is relying on you

to smooth over this crisis.

Where will I be if there's a rupture

between our two families?

Am I to be Austrian

or the dauphine of France?

You must be both.

- Well, I heard that she bought a boy.

- No.

Yes, I heard. She found a peasant

boy by the side of the street...

...and took him in like a stray dog.

Well, it's not as if

she can have one of her own.

Maybe if she spent

less time with Lamballe...

...and more time with her husband...

...there wouldn't be a problem.

Well, let's not forget

she is an Austrian spy.

And I can't imagine

that's very warm in the bedroom.

Come, my little truffle cake.

I'm going to ravage you.

- Will you come back right away?

- Yes, my sweet.

Just a quick hunting excursion,

we'll be back straightaway.

I will be humiliated

before the court and the public...

...if your brother's new wife

becomes pregnant before I do.

When I return from Saint-Cloud,

you can be sure...

...that I will resume my regime.

And hopefully everything

will go swimmingly.

I have absolutely no intention of

breaking the alliance with Austria.

I am very relieved to hear that,

Your Majesty.

But what on earth is going on

with that young couple?

It's a disaster.

Send for Dr. Lassonne to visit them.

Yes, of course.

Do you find your body responsive?

What?

Do you find your body responsive?

What do you eat for breakfast?

Hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate.

Hello?

Hello, Yolande.

How lovely to see you.

Yes. This is

the Duchesse de Polignac.

- Hello.

- Your Majesty.

- We haven't seen you for a while.

- I know.

I've been in St. Petersburg,

where I met Dimitri.

Isn't he divine?

Have you ever been with a Russian?

- No, I--

- They're so bossy.

Look how fat the marquis's gotten.

Hope he doesn't break the chair.

Is he still sleeping with Camille?

Anyway, I must be off.

It was lovely to meet you.

Quiet.

Applause is not usually permitted

at court performances.

Why not? It was wonderful.

Clap, clap.

Clap.

Dearest Antoinette:

I'm pleased to tell you how wonderful

your brothers and sisters are doing...

...in their marriages.

Maria Carolina is pregnant...

...expecting her first child in June.

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