The Affair of the Necklace Page #7

You must now consider the broader

consequences of this matter.

If you weaken the monarchy,

you undermine the entire nation.

You weakened yourselves long before a

diamond necklace became the issue.

I've seen what I came to see.

Your Majesty.

I did not set out to harm you.

As concern the charges

of theft and conspiracy...

...the decisions rendered

by this body of judges...

...shall be carried out this day

without hesitation or appeal.

Count Cagliostro.

You are hereby acquitted...

...on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

You are to be considered exonerated

by this body of judges.

A wise and a just decision.

Marc-Antoine Rtaux de Villette.

By the Court of France...

...you have been found guilty...

...and are condemned to

banishment for life...

...from the kingdom of France.

All of your possessions are

to be forfeited to the king.

The judgment of parliament is final.

Justice has been served.

Cardinal Louis de Rohan...

...grand almoner of France and

prince of the house of Rohan.

This body of judges...

...acquits you on all charges

without reprimand.

You are hence to be considered

completely exonerated.

Order, please.

Jeanne de la Motte-Valois.

Your verdict has been rendered...

...but will not be read at this time.

You are to be detained here

in the Conciergerie...

...until informed otherwise.

The countess' verdict was delayed

by order of the king himself.

His Majesty feared the people...

...and how they may react

when told of Jeannes fate.

Meanwhile, Rohan's vindication

sent a clear message to Versailles.

They vindicate Rohan to cause me anguish.

It is an affront to my womanhood.

Do not do this to yourself, I beg you.

Parliament doesn't believe...

...my character is free of scandal.

I will give them what they want.

I will live here quietly in my disgrace.

It's what they've always wanted.

Though Antoinette wasn't on trial...

...the people saw her as guilty of excess...

...greed and worst of all...

...indifference.

Countess.

It's time.

Jeanne de la Motte-Valois.

You have been found guilty on all charges.

Before her sentence was read...

...the countess was allowed

to address the court...

...one last time.

Whatever fate awaits me...

...it cannot compare to the pain that I...

When all you hold dear is taken...

...and you have nothing left...

...risk is of little consequence.

When a ray of hope came into view,

I reached for it.

With all my might.

I realize...

I realize now that it is too late...

...that honor does not live in a name.

It comes from what you carry in your heart.

V.

Voleur. The mark of a thief.

And so ended the life of Marie-Antoinette.

I did not see the queen's demise...

...as I had long since fled the

horrors of the new regime.

Though rumors circulated as to

the eventual fate of the countess...

...the truth was rather common and sad.

She was taken to a woman's prison of

the most horrible conditions...

...where she languished

for nearly two years.

'We heard rumors but had no idea

of the changes taking place.

It was not until I effected my escape

and reached England...'

It was there, in England...

...she published her memoirs.

And for a brief moment found the

acceptance that had eluded her...

...for so many years.

A remarkable account.

- Thank you.

How sad to be separated from home.

Will you ever return to France?

I should like to someday.

Jeanne Saint-Rmy de Valois...

...the woman who helped topple a

monarchy, never returned to France.

She died in a fall from the window

of a London hotel.

Some claimed it was an act of revenge

by agents of the royal family.

The truth was never known.

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