The Princess of Montpensier Page #5

than you remembered?

As could be expected.

But I insist, the memory

is one of childhood and friendship.

You've learned to lie, cousin.

I sent Montpensier to inform

my mother I'd resume peace talks.

Not a truce, peace!

Peace, with the Huguenots?

So Montpensier is with your mother.

Husbands always get in the way.

Yes, two of us are enough.

If you've distorted your feelings

and hers,

the fight will be face to face,

and merciless!

I won't be caught up short.

Mourning ends in 40 days,

that's nothing.

I know how it is.

I have myself lost...

Spare me your own affairs

when I explain mine to you.

I was saying:
40 days is nothing.

Any news of my son?

He's to bring me...

What does it matter to you?

But he's not bringing

my daughter-in-law,

as if he were hiding her!

Write my son to send for her

within a month

at the latest.

So then, 40 days, by which time,

I trust, we shall have peace.

Peace means life, festivities,

balls once again,

a sort of spring.

For me a rebirth!

I want three costumes

befitting my rank,

not to mention hunting outfits.

No black or brown or grey.

Except perhaps pearl grey.

Pink and mauve.

The vibrancy of scarlet and crimson

can wait.

My late wife adored crimson,

remember?

It suits me so well.

I will spare no expense.

Plenty of embroidery, beads, gems.

I want to look my best.

I'm thinking of taking a new wife.

Solitude is fine,

but at certain hours it's dismal.

And enough sadness,

let us at least look fine!

A letter for you, from your husband.

He requests my presence.

If he requests it...

You know what it means.

A request is an order.

Aren't you pleased?

Paris means the Court, Madame.

The King, Queen Catherine, Anjou...

And Guise.

Do you so mistrust

your heart that?

My heart has grown cold to him.

You know it. I know it.

But my husband?

I reasoned with his jealousy once,

after many words and tears,

but how will it be

living in that Louvre,

with all those intrigues?

My parents told me so,

and so did you.

You are strong enough

to avoid any obstacle to your aims.

If the Court pleases you,

you will please Court.

Which will please your husband.

Only you know

what remains of your past hopes.

Nothing.

Well then, to Paris, Madame!

The Prince has surely

prepared a fine welcome.

I was going to write him.

Shall I announce your arrival?

Within the month?

Within a week, Chabannes!

If such a thing is possible,

we'll be there within a week!

You are radiant, Madame.

Well, Philippe, what about peace?

We are very hopeful.

- Catherine!

- Marie!

I understand your surprise

to see me, cousin.

Special orders. An 80 league-ride.

I just took off my boots.

On whose orders?

My uncles. The Cardinal's.

He delegated me to represent us

to Catherine in this happy occasion

that is to join our houses.

Join our houses?

You don't know?

We're back in the situation

at Mzires:

A marriage between you and us.

What marriage?

My younger sister and your father.

What shall we be for one another?

Sister-in-law? Stepson?

Nephew? Niece?

What else?

Father is to wed Catherine de Guise.

Marie didn't tell me.

Did she mention this union?

Your father must have

made arrangements in secret.

Finally, my son,

I can announce publicly what

I had no time to tell you privately.

He's always off somewhere!

I'm marrying again.

And the lucky bride...

Catherine? Where are you?

No need, Father,

I've had the surprise.

It delights you, I trust.

My dear fellow, how are your carps?

You know very well...

They decide without us.

Like for the horses and the hounds.

You didn't wed the man you wanted,

and mine is more than twice my age.

Catherine, our duty is to obey.

You laugh?

It's because

you'll have to call me Mother!

I see nasty Huguenot faces.

Like three ugly flies

on a tablecloth.

Montpensier is following

my mother's orders: Work for peace.

He'd be wiser to keep Chabannes

out of his wench's skirts.

Beware, Joyeuse!

Slur who you wish

with your perfidies,

but not an unkind word about her.

Never.

I say, this is an epidemic.

These weddings!

Recently my brother the King.

Soon the Admiral, they say.

And my sister Marguerite,

as a sacrifice

to the lord of Navarre,

that garlic-eater!

And now your father-in-law the Duke

to whom the Guises

sold your Catherine.

I say,

this is an epidemic!

I'd have gladly succumbed

had you not already been conquered.

You're mistaken, Marie.

I sincerely envy your husband

and that other one.

- Excuse me?

- My mother,

at my request,

will see you tomorrow.

So soon?

- I would prefer...

- Have no fear.

She's not an ogre. Only an ogress

whom I've fed with praises of you.

She's already fond of you.

Must I wait still?

I just learned of your presence.

I have little time and much to say.

I haven't changed.

I've had no chance

to see you in private.

All eyes are on us,

all ears are listening.

Here I can confess, and I do...

Holding audience, cousin?

I thought it was the Queen.

I've been waiting for an hour.

I've just come out.

Queen Catherine spoke warmly of you

to her sons.

She awaits you.

Is your presence?

Don't worry about Marie.

I'll keep her company

in your absence.

Your insolence, your smiles,

your smirks,

I'll have no more of.

Come, we'll settle this

in the courtyard.

Who allows you to risk

your lives so stupidly?

A rankling grudge.

Forget it!

I, too, for the same reason

harbour a grudge against Guise.

But I am able to muzzle it.

Were I King of France,

I would perhaps disobey myself...

If you cross swords again,

I'll have both your heads taken off.

The Polish business

may soon be settled.

I'll have my brother appoint you

to lead the army in my stead.

And you, I shall spare

a humiliating obedience.

Poitiers.

You'll be in command

to defend the fortress...

I almost said, in a new guise.

Come now.

Come, Madame,

the Queen grants you an audience.

The ambassador of England

I shall see tomorrow after mass.

Approach.

I know much already,

but I wanted to see you up close.

Eye to eye.

Settle that affair without me.

I just want results.

She wonders what I know. And how?

If I know the birth date,

I know the rest.

The stars

are close to God

and send us His messages.

But reading them correctly

is an exacting science

and only now at my age

do I make fewer mistakes.

You are under the pull

of two conflicting forces.

Saturn and Venus!

Rectitude, reason,

the law on one side,

desire, sensuality,

the body on the other.

Which will prevail?

One cannot shun one's destiny.

His syrup! Don't wait for a fit.

Another son, the King, Charles.

He is King. He is lying ill

behind the screen.

He disobeys.

I'm very fond of your husband.

Anjou tells me Guise

is pestering you.

Don't listen to Guise.

He is courting my daughter.

Do you know Margot? A beauty.

Even too much so.

Everyone wants her,

but she wants Guise.

I want someone else for her.

She is a Leo. So is Guise.

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