Mayerling Page #5

I`m not going to leave you.

Am I not yours, my love?

- Good evening, Mr. Bratfisch.

- Good evening.

Tell me...

He`s here.

Ah, thanks. If anyone wants me,

l`ll be over there.

Very well, Mr. Bratfisch.

Life is starting, Maria.

Soon we`ll no longer need to hide.

I`ll be free

and we`ll be together always.

Always? But -

- l`ve written to Rome.

- What about your father?

He doesn`t know yet,

but he`ll have to accept the annulment.

You did that for me?

Listen, Rudolf...

whatever happens,

l`ll never be unhappy again.

What`s that?

A wedding ring?

It`s so beautiful.

There`s a date on it.

- November 13th.

That night at Sacher`s.

There are letters:

""R-D-L-A-J-L-M``

""United in love unto death.``

How lovely.

Thank you.

You must put it on my finger yourself.

- Why?

Because then I can make a wish.

What did you wish for?

To die before you.

- You know who`s here?

- Who?

The archduke.

Right over there.

- The archduke, here?

- I swear - and with a woman!

- Did you recognize her?

- I couldn`t quite see.

- Can`t you guess?

- Who else but the Vetsera girl?

- What`s that?

- Oh, you`re here?

I forbid you to trifle

with my sister`s name.

Who are you

to forbid me anything, boy?

- l`ll show you.

- I doubt that.

My brother!

Calm down, Vetsera. This is

a public establishment. Apologize.

- You`re unworthy of being an officer.

- You`re no judge.

- How brave, insulting a girl!

- And you`re a brave talker!

Take her home,

then come back for me.

- What`s going on?

- Officers coming to blows.

It`s a disgrace!

You may change your tune

when my seconds call!

- Brave men don`t brag!

- l`ll slay you like a dog!

Lieutenant Vetsera, I think

you`ve had too much to drink.

Come here.

- Your Highness.

I don`t need anyone

to defend my name,

and I will tolerate

no interference from my officers

in a matter

that concerns only myself.

You are confined to barracks

for ten days. Report to your colonel.

You are dismissed.

And you, Captain Schonberg, will report

to regiment headquarters tomorrow.

I`m afraid my regiment is too coarse

for a man of your sensitivity.

Well, gentlemen?

Don`t let a pair of idiots stop the party.

Give me a glass.

He`s so handsome

when he`s angry.

To the regiment.

To Your Highness!

Aren`t you going to dance?

Maestro, give us a nice waltz!

May I have the pleasure of this waltz?

- Your Highness!

I will never forget this.

I`ll speak of this all my life,

Your Highness.

Rudolf, you must save Georges.

I know him.

He won`t relent.

He`ll want the truth.

He`ll insist on a duel.

He`ll be wounded, perhaps even killed.

Calm down, Maria.

I`ll speak to him, I promise.

Yes?

Your Highness is awaited

in the audience room.

Duty calls. I`ll be just 15 minutes.

Wait for me here.

I`d suggest you keep

your coat on, miss.

If you caught cold in this drafty palace,

His Highness would never forgive me.

You`re very kind, Loschek.

Kind? Me?

You don`t know much.

Loschek, where are you?

I looked everywhere.

Forgive me.

I had to conduct His Highness

to an audience.

- Will he be long?

- I fear so, Your Majesty.

Tell him I came

to inquire about his health.

He will be touched.

In fact, l`ll just leave

a note on his desk.

Sorry to disturb you, miss.

You should have told me.

Leave us.

I came to see how my son is doing.

Is he well?

He seemed a bit tired, madam...

Your Majesty.

Poor Rudolf.

He`s not suited to this life.

You and I have never met,

but I know he loves you.

Please sit down.

You`re even lovelier

than l`d heard,

and so young.

How old are you?

- Seventeen, madam.

Seventeen?

At 17 I was already unhappy.

But I was young...

and I didn`t suffer too terribly.

One really should die young.

I`m sorry.

Living in solitude

sets one to musing out loud.

This palace is an unhappy place.

Do not return.

Let me kiss you, my child.

You are very dear to my heart.

Your Highness!

I must talk to you, Vetsera.

I mean to prevent this duel.

- lmpossible, sir.

He slandered my sister,

and such lies -

Vetsera, suppose Schonberg

was telling the truth?

What?

You?

I don`t understand,

Your Highness.

It can`t be.

Sit down, Georges.

And now, as an older comrade,

I beg you

to try to listen calmly.

Will you promise me that?

- Yes, Your Highness.

No one in the world

loves Maria more than I do.

No, not even you.

Before she came along -

You couldn`t understand

all l`d have to say.

She set me free

with her gaiety, her youth, her love.

Was I to refuse all that?

Think about it.

Nothing in this world

is really mine, not even myself.

Like everyone, you think

I have everything I could desire.

Or perhaps you think

that being the emperor`s son

means I have no right

to the woman I love.

Be fair:

What was I to do?

Georges, Maria is my love,

and soon all will know.

As soon as l`m free, l`ll marry her.

She knows that.

If you want my oath -

I believe you, sire.

You`ve /ost your head.

You flaunt yourself in public,

Iet our name be bandied about

by drunken officers,

all for a little thing -

- Who will soon be my wife.

- I know.

You even asked the pope

to annul your marriage.

Here`s the Holy Father`s reply.

- You spy on my personal matters too?

- This concerns me as well.

If you`ve forgotten,

the Holy Father hasn`t.

What`s the answer?

Negative, naturally.

You`re having an affair -

- Am I the only one?

No, and when you`re emperor,

you may do as you please.

Meanwhile, you will end this.

- lmpossible.

- If I order you?

- I won`t obey.

- You`d dare?

- l`ll abdicate.

I care nothing for power,

and I won`t sacrifice Maria to it.

You have no right to speak this way.

You have obligations.

The people of two nations

have placed their hope in you.

Consider your honor.

I love her.

If you really love her,

you`ll give her up.

What are you going to do?

There are convents

from which women never leave.

- You would dare?

- This liaison must end!

I beg you, Father.

It`s my life you`re asking of me.

- A passing fancy.

It`s life or death to us.

Leave her or she goes to a convent.

There`s no other solution.

Yes, there is.

What do you mean?

- It wouldn`t interest you.

- Will you obey?

If I may see her once more.

You will,

at the ball tonight.

I want to see her alone.

Very well.

I`ll give you 24 hours,

and that will be the end of it.

Do I have your word?

Yes.

Mother, do I look

too awful tonight?

For the tenth time, no!

You`re just silly.

Don`t listen to her.

She was the same way

at her first ball two years ago.

- Any news of the lovebirds?

- What lovebirds?

Oh, I have absolutely no idea.

- The Vetsera girl at a court ball!

- The archduke has gone too far!

They can meet in private,

after all.

- Do you think she`s so attractive?

- Everyone has their charm at 17.

Here comes the court.

- Where`s the empress?

- She doesn`t come to galas anymore.

What is it, Maria?

The archduke`s

a bit glum tonight.

We`re not amused, having just been

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