The Affair of the Necklace Page #6

- The king gave his instructions.

Leave the chamber.

- It was the countess.

You see, she-

- Leave the chamber.

How dare you touch me?

What insult is this?

The king has ordered your arrest.

- That's impossible.

I advise you not to make a scene.

What the countess

had so daringly conceived...

...now began to unravel

at a frightening pace.

And those of dubious character

were quick to distance themselves.

I heard news in Paris.

Rohan was sent to the Bastille.

- His cell will be the best they have.

He has most certainly implicated us.

I won't leave. The name is spoken with

respect again. I won't diminish-.

To hell with the name.

It will do you no good-.

Then go, Rtaux.

I haven't asked you to stay.

Please tell me, madame.

Conspiracy was not all

that held us together?

Save yourself. I want you to.

Who will protect you if I go?

Nicolas? If it comes to it,

he'll give you up to save himself.

You needn't concern yourself with Nicolas.

Nicolas.

- He's taken his leave.

Let him go, please.

- No.

Stay away.

Please, you must not remain here.

Come away with me now.

What's there in a name

that is worth your life?

Tell me, Jeanne.

I cannot see the reason.

It only matters that I see it.

Please try to understand.

Jeanne de la Motte-Valois?

You have the honor, monsieur.

As the gossip spread,

the people were quick to believe...

...that Antoinette, the cardinal

and the necklace were joined as one...

...in a circle of lust and deceit.

Thieves, the two of you.

I think the case must be tried

in open parliament.

That would be a mistake.

It is within the king's right

to pass judgment.

Why place it in unsympathetic hands?

The people only respect

the judgment of parliament.

If it convicts Rohan

as the sole perpetrator...

...my name will be absolved.

- And if they acquit him?

Isn't that saying you are guilty?

His Majesty is correct.

You could not be tried...

...but the guilt would fall

to you all the same.

Public vindication, house minister.

I will accept nothing less.

Your thoughts, house minister.

The queen offers up a sweet plum

before ravens.

Pray none takes a bite.

Jeanne's arrest fueled the hysteria

surrounding the necklace conspiracy.

Some saw the countess

as a cunning opportunist...

...others as an unwitting pawn

of the monarchy.

Dearest countess:

Before the eye of suspicion turns my way...

...I think it is in my best interest

to make a hasty departure.

I do wish you a positive outcome

in the trial.

Having said that, it is my sincere

hope that I never see you again.

Farewell, countess...

...for France has seen the last

of Count Cagliostro.

The count's departure took him no further...

...than his own front door,

where he was promptly arrested...

...and delivered to his new

accommodations, the Bastille.

On this, the 22nd day of May, 1786...

...the matter of the Crown versus

Cardinal de Rohan...

...and Jeanne Valois,

Countess de la Motte...

If I reached for anything

that shined brilliantly...

...it was for the home denied me

and the peace I've never known.

In the eyes of God and the world...

...I wanted my life to be

as it should've been.

How was it that you entered

into this arrangement?

I am aware of forces at work against me.

The cardinal said you were in collusion...

...a ruse to hide your true intent.

I can think of no misdeed

to account for my arrest.

Trickery is his only gift.

He used it with Jeanne de la Motte

to manipulate me.

Daily reports to Her Majesty

became a ritual...

...and pressure for a favorable

outcome, a royal obsession.

After I relinquished the necklace...

...Count de la Motte visited a brokerage.

My investigators tell me that

he sold to the owner four diamonds.

We must have proof of your charges.

Can you provide any tangible evidence?

Yes. The letters from the queen.

The countess must've forged

them somehow.

Produce them then.

I am- I am unable to do so.

It was the day of the Feast of the

Assumption when this horror began.

I assumed I'd receive

the prime ministership.

To protect Her Majesty,

I ordered the letters to be burned.

It was only after my arrest...

...I realized I had destroyed the only

evidence that could clear my name.

If I might be allowed more time,

I could gather-.

Did you presume while you sat idle

in the Bastille, I was idle as well?

Your veil, please.

Cardinal Rohan, is this the woman

you encountered in the grove?

Yes, I'm certain of it.

Mademoiselle,

state your name, please.

Nicole Leguay d'Oliva.

A common street performer?

Has this become public?

- Regrettably, yes.

The news sheets are having a day of it.

Rohan and the Countess de la Motte

must suffer for this.

Do not fail me, Breteuil.

Revealing the queen's impersonator

aided the cardinal's cause...

...but it was not without forethought.

By doing so, I was able to employ

one more bit of skullduggery.

Aren't you curious to know

how we found Nicole d'Oliva?

One of your co conspirators was arrested.

He instructed us on where

to find the impostor.

He has made us aware of your notes

written in the name of the queen.

He stated when the cardinal

realized the notes were forgeries...

...he fell in with your plans

to steal the necklace.

Who is this person?

- No. Wait.

This is a ruinous lie.

This is a treacherous machination.

Who is this person?

Where are they?

He has expressed the desire not to see you.

During a trial, is it not my right to

confront any accuser?

My love.

My dear countess.

If I'd known I'd be receiving, I might

have done something with myself.

What have they done?

I have it on good authority Nicolas

made it to Austria.

He's beyond their reach.

They practiced humiliations upon me...

...I could not allow to continue.

Perhaps a man less vain

would not have relented.

Everyone gives in at the last.

Forgive me, Jeanne.

Forgive me or I cannot live with myself.

I love you, Rtaux.

That should have been enough.

I'm sorry.

The house minister visits the Bastille.

Surely not a social call.

Before the sentences are rendered...

...you will have a chance

to sign a confession.

Implicate Cardinal Rohan to the crime...

...in a clear manner.

I will not.

It would seem to be

your only chance for salvation.

You have an engaging smile, countess.

Though now seems a curious time

to make use of it.

I was just thinking how strange it is,

Your Majesty.

Of all the times I have sought you...

...in the end you complete the effort.

I merely felt compelled to look upon

the architect of such chaos.

It must be you.

Rohan is not clever enough.

That is for parliament to say.

- Stay where you are, Breteuil.

You have damaged my reputation

and I mean to know why.

Speak the truth.

What disservice

have I ever done the likes of you?

You ignored me.

To offer a word of advice would have

cost you but a few breaths...

...and it would have meant the world to me.

There can be no doubt I would have

traveled a different path.

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