Marie Antoinette Page #2

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 Orlans.

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 Orlans.

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 l...

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 Orlans.

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, l...

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?

- lf 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?

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