The Princess of Montpensier Page #6

Very bad.

Dangerous.

How dare you?

After what just happened?

- It kept me from saying my peace.

- Spare me!

Do you still believe in the weakness

of my 16 years?

Dare you invoke that weakness today,

to a married woman?

The whole Court

says you love another.

- The King's sister did show...

- No, you!

You showed interest

in the King's sister.

The mere vanity of becoming

the King's in-law.

God is my witness.

I did nothing to seduce Margot.

She pursued me.

You would flee a woman lauded

for her wit and beauty?

Enough! It's her, I say.

She tried to tempt me...

with marriage.

Queen Catherine had indigestion

from purple artichokes.

Her wind even drove Coligny away!

An offer of marriage, you say?

It certainly is a fashion!

And you replied?

Neither way.

You decide, Mariette.

Well?

The door was open, and the noise...

I came to inquire.

And I see by your face...

that you've had good news.

Rather good, yes.

What business is it of yours?

- My friendship for you.

- You should have been a priest.

You know, Madame,

that some temptations

are beyond my moral strength.

Speaking of temptation,

Madame Benedicte

complains her honey's been stolen.

I vouched for your integrity.

Priest would suit you.

Confessor.

So I'll confess something to you.

It will commit you to secrecy.

Since I confess it.

Mr. De Guise burns for me again...

- You're not to blame...

- And I'm delighted.

It's your good fortune

I'm the first

to note your satisfaction.

Which condemns you.

Imagine meeting the Prince

in your present state.

It's only a fleeting happiness.

Like the swallow,

it quickly comes and goes.

There remains the shame

of being taken in so easily.

He even used

the nickname of our youth:

Mariette.

Have no fear.

I will yield neither to Guise

nor anyone else.

Madame,

the Prince your husband has known

more passion

than what marriage usually produces.

When passion doesn't blind,

it opens the eyes and the mind.

If he sees you as I have now,

he will understand.

And you will lose both him

and Monsieur de Guise.

What must I do?

Free yourself.

Forget today's encounter.

Forget Monsieur de Guise.

Yes.

I want to.

I sincerely want to.

If you want to, you can.

No.

The King's Ball tomorrow!

I'll be there and so will he.

Take your time.

The Moorish Ballet is later.

And there, who's dancing?

Little girls. Nymphs...

Nymphs? They don't exist.

Everything that has a name exists.

Your beast doesn't seem

to like music.

Always grumbling!

Likes nothing, always grumbling.

Yes! I saw him, believe me!

The King smiled at you,

just before your curtsey.

A broad smile, even.

I know what he was looking at.

I know who.

As soon as he saw you,

he stopped coughing.

Marquis! What a pleasure.

Your husband.

You learned of my mother's passing?

I'm sorry.

Tragic. After such suffering,

death is redemption.

Help me, Catherine.

Detain him.

I must warn your brother.

- What do I say?

- Anything, as if it were you.

So, my dear stepson...

have we honoured our husbands enough,

father and son?

I found you both

ravishing, charming...

Their Majesties commend you.

Marie most of all.

See her complexion?

Her white teeth?

I need oak tannin,

cuttlefish powder,

cinnamon, the old tricks...

With Marie it's natural.

I missed a few steps, she caught me.

My husband suspects us.

Don't speak in public.

Meet me where we were yesterday.

After your dance.

Would you also take

this woman from me

even as you dare look at my sister?

Enough is enough, Guise.

One day you'll pay for

these two outrages with your life.

They met,

they exchanged glances.

How could she avoid him here?

She avoided me.

You're mistaken, Philippe.

Not at all.

But you can't share the feelings

of a husband and jealous lover.

Such things are foreign to you.

I don't like suffering.

Find Marie de Montpensier quickly.

The one you're waiting for

won't come.

And Mr. D'Anjou

wishes to speak to you.

It's in your interest

and not mine

that I must warn you

of Guise's duplicity.

Cover yourself.

Don't interrupt me,

but realise he's sacrificing you

to my sister

though he doubtless claims

the contrary.

He is seductive and ambitious,

deceiving all those he attracts.

He's with her now.

It was I who deserved you.

I was truly sincere.

Here's your rightful husband.

Watch over her, cousin.

She was about to stray.

You've humiliated me!

I don't know how much, but you have!

Before the Court! Before Anjou!

Before my King!

Your rascal Guise!

Leave me.

Prepare to return to Mont-sur-Brac

until my anger cools.

Go to the halberdiers.

Ask them to guard the gates tonight.

Then tell Quercy

to let the dogs loose.

Be quick.

Cry out and you're dead.

I'm too curious to cry out.

I'm listening.

I burn with a passion

for someone close to you.

I understand.

They tell her lies to snare me.

- I must speak to her.

- Write to her.

No! I must see and speak to her.

Her husband, her servants

and myself will stop you.

Then you will bring misfortune

on both of us.

What I want, she wants. I know it.

What I feel, she feels.

- If I die, she'll die.

- Silence!

I'll announce you.

But don't rejoice.

Promise that if she won't see you,

you'll accept defeat.

- She's waiting.

- Your word?

You have it.

If the Princess will see you,

she will light her window.

I'll open the door near the well.

Are you mad?

I'm afraid so.

I've just seen Mr. De Guise.

He demands to speak to you.

What insolence!

To justify himself.

Does he not know who I am?

Where I am? The risk we'd take?

He knows all that, Madame.

He awaits your answer.

Does he love me?

Yes, Madame.

- And do I?

- Alas, yes.

You urge me to hear him out?

When would he...

And how?

If that is the only obstacle,

place a candle in your window,

and I'll see to the rest.

Hurry.

You cruelly turned your back on me.

I saw you were engaged.

I can imagine what you'll say.

But you were with Marguerite

while I waited frightened and cold

at the assigned place.

Keep your voices down!

You waited for me?

- Assigned by whom?

- Me, earlier!

After the ballet. I told you where.

We never spoke.

How dare you?

I swear to you, it wasn't me.

I only see a dog lying out there.

Go look.

Anjou tricked you.

You spoke to him, not to me.

I'd have run to you, Marie.

I told the Queen

I gave up Marguerite.

It's you I love, Marie,

more than ever.

There's noise

in the Prince's quarters. Run, Duke!

Run!

Too late!

Hide in here.

Flee.

Open up. I heard voices.

I know you're not alone. Open up.

You?

If you have any honour left, fight.

Draw your sword!

My Prince, I know all your skills.

I taught them to you.

I'd have spared you at war.

I won't kill you now.

Then be gone!

And never show your face.

I won't spare you twice.

Get out!

I ordered our best coach.

It will be for Madame Benedicte,

happy to travel alone.

You decided...

To inaugurate

the freedom you impose.

Alone.

You won't make it to Mont-sur-Brac.

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