The Affair of the Necklace Page #2

Have you considered my petition?

It is unusual for you to come

on your own behalf.

In my experience, women don't possess

the temperament for negotiations.

It is more appropriate to discuss

this with the Count de la Motte.

The count is in Rambouillet.

In any event, it's my lineage

I wish to have authenticated.

It is my family's home I wish returned.

Your petition places me

in a difficult position.

Your father was prone

to stirring up parliament.

He spoke out against poverty and tyranny.

He was a treacherous liar.

He only wanted to better the world.

If there were more like him-...

Forgive me.

- He railed against the monarchy.

That will never be tolerated.

You know the importance

of a God-given name...

...and a home in which it can flourish.

It defines us.

No doubt your request comes

from the heart.

But there are higher considerations.

- I implore you.

If I have no legacy to pass on,

the name of Valois dies with me.

In the eyes of the royal family,

that would not be unfavorable.

This royal office...

...will not grant your petition.

It never will.

I can't accomplish what I came to do.

Proper channels be damned.

The royal family had been well aware

of this meeting.

By crushing her hopes, they sought

to end the Valois legacy...

...and all that it stood for.

It's really quite simple.

To influence the minister of titles,

you must first have influence.

Hence, lesson one, the benefactor.

Perfect. The Marquis de Favras.

A most generous man with a most

generous appetite. For young men.

The Comte de Blonde, keeper

of the royal seals.

Wealthy, powerful...

...and enthusiastically pursues

all members of the female gender.

For what reason I cannot imagine. He's

as virile as an empty sausage skin.

And him?

- Ah, yes, Pierre Charron.

He has killed four men, loves a hunt

and despite his flirtations...

...maintains but a single lover...

...his benefactor,

the Marquis de Favras.

Lechers and parasites.

Is that all there is?

Welcome to court.

Here, appearance is everything.

And I mean no offense, countess,

but yours is lacking.

Your dress and living arrangements

must improve.

Plainly, you need money.

To obtain it...

...find favor with someone who has it.

Rtaux, my precious.

Look, ho.

Three sensual sirens of the sea.

How long will you suffer

the whims of old women?

Suffer? I bring joy

to venerable ladies. I'm often-.

You evade the question, monsieur.

I shall stop suffering the whims

of older women when...

...someone more intriguing

enters my world.

Am I to suppose you have no one

you care for now?

There was one. The self-proclaimed

Duchess de Vossi.

In truth, a courtesan of the highest stature.

She entertained only the noble elite

in her bed of pleasures.

Mother.

She taught me the intricacies of court life.

From the noblemen that came to

our rooms I observed manner and wit.

Who can say? One of these fops

bobbling past us now...

...could well be my father.

An amusing thought at best.

How skillfully you play the rogue.

Yet even you cannot mask

such impenetrable loneliness.

Are we that much alike, countess?

Next lesson.

Always choose a benefactor

of noble means.

For instance, Louis de Rohan...

...cardinal of all France and blood

prince of the infamous house of Rohan.

He is a debaucher

of legendary proportions.

His parties are lavish,

orgiastic affairs.

They've arrived. One hour late

as required by royalty.

This should be entertaining.

Why such a chill

between him and the queen?

Years ago, on a pilgrimage,

Rohan bedded half the Austrian court.

He jested Antoinette's mother

had begged her turn.

This slander got back to her.

She never forgave him.

Despite his efforts to heal the rift.

- He needs her approval?

He wishes to follow Richelieu

and become prime minister.

Antoinette blocks his progress?

At every turn.

It's all right. Come out, my dear.

Let me introduce Colleen.

This lady is a maid

of the queen's private quarters.

I have come as you requested.

They would cut my hands off

if I were caught.

But de Villette was so heartfelt

in his request, I could not refuse.

Countess, unbeknownst to Her Majesty...

...you are about to become

her closest confidant.

My curiosity about Your Eminence...

My curiosity about Your Eminence...

A rare miss, Your Eminence.

You distracted me.

Then I've fulfilled my obligation

as a woman.

I am unfamiliar with you.

- You're right, I've intruded.

My curiosity about Your Eminence

overcame my sense of formality.

What could ignite such curiosity?

I have heard it said you are a man

of copious desires.

Some desires run deeper than others.

I accompany the queen most days

at Versailles.

These are letters she wrote

when I was abroad.

Why bring them to my attention?

The damaged feelings between you

are well-known...

...but old wounds may be healing.

The queen has said as much?

- It's intuition on my part.

But with subtle persuasion, you

could make progress with Her Majesty.

And you will apply these gentle

pressures in return for what?

Your Eminence's gratitude is all I require.

And...

...your patronage, from time to time.

Your offer is compelling.

But I must decline.

You're likely a fraud.

The court is riddled with them.

And a man of my office is often a target.

That you should doubt my veracity

is indeed a hurtful blow.

I've upset you.

Abel, please, leave us.

I wish to offer a word of comfort in private.

I was wrong to come here.

I see that now.

Yet you are here.

I cannot be comfortable

with a man who doubts me.

In times of doubt...

...prayer is the answer.

I kneel before me.

I will rest my hands on your shoulders...

...and we'll pray together.

I respectfully decline, Your Eminence.

I'm the cardinal of all France.

If the cardinal of all France

wishes you to pray with him...

...you'll do so.

Come.

You will not hold back.

Pray deeply...

...and with conviction.

Your Eminence.

No. I-...

Where'd you get this?

- Antoinette's chambers.

She does the embroidery herself.

I've noticed them.

A reminder of what could have been.

Wait.

Maybe there is a way.

A means by which to verify your claim.

It so happens I have taken under

my patronage an extraordinary man.

He is grand master of the Illuminati,

the German mystic elite.

He is an accomplished mesmerist...

...who claims to have conquered

disease and death several times over.

His visions and prognostications

have proven accurate time and again.

Count Cagliostro...

...we are honored.

I sense many of you

have questions for me...

...that concern love, fate,

even betrayal.

But these answers will have to wait.

I'm drawn to a face that's new.

You seek an alliance with the cardinal, yes?

I'm certain many people bring

favorable offers before His Eminence.

But your alliance

is what concerns us tonight.

Comtesse de la Motte.

I haven't spoken a word about you

to this man. He truly is a marvel.

Or particularly well-informed.

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