"VERSAILLES, 14 JULY 1789" "Sidonie..." "What time is it?" "It's me." "Louison." "6:15 a.m." "What do you want?" "Can I see the clock?" "You've seen it a hundred times." " Please!" "No!" "Can I come in?" "You know with whom I slept?" "I don't care." "You're gonna end up as an old maid!" "Get away!" "FAREWELL, MY QUEEN" "Hurry up." "The Queen is waiting at Trianon." "She slept there?" " She sleeps where she wants." "Jasmine and Violet?" "Violet." "How is Madame de Bargue?" "She vomited all night." "The more he cheats on her the more she eats." "Thank you, Alice." "I feel much better now." "Sidonie!" "Forgot something?" "Hurry!" "Ten minutes late!" "For what have I given you the clock of Mr. Janvier?" "I am sorry, Madame Campan." "And all dirty!" "Her Majesty slept well?" " Not at all." "She had a nightmare." "Madame de Soubise found her crying." "What will you read?" " Marivaux." "Better not!" "I rather recommend..." "Bossuet's funeral eulogies." "Those of Maria-Theresa of Austria?" " Excellent idea!" "Anything Austrian is comforting for Her Majesty." "Miss Laborde!" "And so soon!" "How can I thank you?" "I'd travel even further for Your Majesty, if this is required." "I am well aware of your loyalty." "Come closer." "A cup of coffee!" "Taste this marvelous flavour from the Antilles." "A special treat for the papillae!" "(papillae = taste buds)" "See?" "I make rhymes." "You burned your tongue?" "Barely, Majesty." "This coffee is exquisite." "Take your time, Mademoiselle" "What will you read to me?" "I thought Bossuet's funeral eulogies of Maria-Theresa of Austria." "Oh no!" "How bleak!" "That poor woman was bored all her life." "You know what she said when she died?" ""Ever since I was the Queen, I had only one day happy day in my life!"" "And nobody knows which day it was." "No, please..." "Give me something that is... a bit frivolous." "I also thought about..." ""The Life of Marianne"." "The second chapter." "When Valville bumps into her after the service." "Marivaux is fair enough." "But I prefer the theater over novels." "Bring me..." ""Félicie" from the library." "Right away, Your Majesty." "And?" "Everything's fine." "I'm going to the library." ""This is really a nice day."" ""And we have been taking a walk for quite a while now."" ""And the pleasure of spending time with you"" ""is always great." "But this time it touches me very much."" ""I think you love me, Félicie."" ""You think so, Madame?"" ""What?"" ""Now you recognize that this is true?"" ""You, the reason for everything of value in my heart and soul?"" ""You've always been the object of my..."" "Why do you scratch yourself so often?" "Mosquito bites." "Let me have a look..." "I am sorry." "Augustine!" "Call Madame Campan!" "You know where they come from?" "From the pond!" "Considering that we wash with that water..." "They say there are even rats there." "Disgusting!" "Your Majesty called for me?" "Yes, Madame Campan." "Please, bring some rosewood oil for Miss Laborde." "Everything is so disgusting!" "If it goes on like this, we'll soon be living in the sewer." "I am truly sorry, Your Majesty." "Do you want us to continue with Félicie?" "No, it's enough." "Read me from fashion magazines." "Didn't you bring them last time?" "I'm listening." ""Dresses are embroidered with gold and silver."" ""Especially preferred these days"" ""are accessories of tulle or filet work"" ""with festoons of flowers"" ""and with hooks shaped like love straps."" "Go on." ""Also, there are Chinese tassels"" ""or cornucopias spreading flowers..."" "Go on." "The embroidery!" ""Colorful embroidered corsages of finest linen"" ""quickly gave way to dresses with embroidery..."" "I have an idea for my dresses!" "Tell Madame d'Ossun to bring my booklet with the desgin samples." "An embroidery..." "that mimics a dahlia." "You see?" "Yes, Madame Campan?" "Oh yes, I forgot!" "Give it to me." "Thank you very much." "Show me your arm." "That's scandalous!" "Such a pretty little arm, totally swollen." "The rosewood oil is good for calming the itching." "The itching is gone." "Madame d'Ossun!" "Come!" "Give me the booklet." "I have a fabric here which is a very good match for the embroidery." "There it is!" "We have to ask Madame Bertin." "She's a fairy!" "You scratch yourself in front of the Queen?" "We'll talk about this!" "Are you really Italian?" "Don't you notice my accent?" "I'm from an old Venetian family." "What's the song about?" "You better not know." "Why not?" " It's a love song." "Not very original!" "The Duchess!" "Do you know the Duchess De Polignac?" "Everyone at the palace knows Gabrielle De Polignac." "I am not from the palace, but I have good ears." "The Queen is besotted with her." "They say Gabrielle de Polignac ignores her husband." "And that she's slutty." "None of my business." "I know for sure." "She loves the tours with my Gondola." "Can you row faster?" "You'll see." "She'll get rid of her chambermaid so she can be alone with me." "Last time, she wanted to see "il mio cazzo"." "You know what I mean?" "I don't want to know." "What's your name?" " Shut up now." "Can you turn around?" "Do you wish me to go with you, Duchess?" "Not necessary, Madame Tournon." "With Paolo I'm in safe hands." "How is the Queen?" "She feels great." "They say Paris is getting short of bread more and more." "That's why the wolves stopped coming out of the woods." "What's that absurdity you talk about?" "That's what I hear everywhere." "You're talking nonsense." "At my age I do not fear to face the truth." "The truth is, in Versailles we're safe, Madame Tournon!" "You told the Queen you do embroidery?" "Of course not." "I would end up being her embroiderer." "Marie-Antoinette prefers dresses over books." "I don't want go back there." "I can't stand the thought of it." "I hate this job... and my mistress who doesn't stop with this tapestry." "You're much faster than me!" "Do not stitch the trees." "We'll tell her these are flying poppies." "My back hurts." "And I'm hungry!" "I'm sick of this neverending tapestry!" "For me it's like traveling through a wonderful landscape." "I understand why the Queen spends hours looking at her fabrics." "It makes her forget that she's the Queen." "I never forget who I am." "You're both crazy!" "You know a guy named Paolo?" "The gondolier of Little Venice?" "That's René." "He's been there for two weeks." "But he speaks Italian?" "He's a broke comedian, classic example of a liar." "Don't trust him!" "For sure he's handsome." "He's taking advantage of that." "Believe me." ""Cazzo"..." "Do you know that word?" "You really wanna know that?" "Penis." "As I said, don't trust this guy!" "Stop whispering!" "I guess that's not for your ears of modesty." "Louison has a new lover." " I know." "Until the next one." "His name is Gustav." "And he's an infantryman in the Swiss regiment." "They're ready for war yet." "His captain says he speaks only German." "But no need to talk." "Let's get straight to the point!" "The priests!" "Time to confess, Louison!" "Tell me, sweethearts, do you know Ratafia liquor?" "Drinks for everyone!" "We've just had dinner at Cardinal Montmorency's." "More than 80 desserts." "Not counting candied fruit, compote, ice cream and brittles." "I love crystallized lemon." "I know your taste, Louison." "Crystallized stalks of angelica." "Well worth a little kiss, no?" "Just a kiss on the neck." "Gaspard, you have a violin?" "Play a contradance!" "To King Louis!" "I know many names of the new government." "Names!" "I love names!" "Wanna hear some?" "The Princess of Lamballe, superintendent's of the Queen's court." "The Countess of Ossun, dressmaid of the Queen." "I saw her today." "The Earl of Hassonville, superintendent for hunting." "The Princess of Chimay courtmaid of the Queen." "The ladies accompanying Madame..." "The ladies of ladies..." "VERSAILLES, JULY 15, 1789" "Sidonie!" "Open the door!" "It's Louison." "Somebody woke up the King in the middle of the night!" "Apparently cramps." "Is the King ill?" "My cousin, steward of the King, keeps guard at his bed." "And what does he say?" "He ate cod that wasn't fresh." "Nonsense, I know his chamberlain." "The King was looking forward to hunt today." "Did you hear the news?" "The King had been woken up at two o'clock in the morning." "I brought water for you." "Madame de Bargue told you that?" " No." "Honorine." "Does the Queen know?" " Ask her!" "I have to go back or I'll be scolded." "You call this bread?" "For some, it's enough for a week." "And?" "What have you found out?" "I'd know if I spoke English." "An Englishman woke up the King?" "When they discuss important things, the De la Tour du Pin couple speaks English." "What I understood was "Bastille"." "They said it four times." "There must be something serious at the Bastille." "A jailbreak or a fire?" "I'll ask Gustav." "Monsieur Moreau must have information." "He sure speaks French." "Will you tell us?" "If he gives me permission." "Mademoiselle Laborde!" "Madame Bertin needs you." "I will prepare the Queen's relocation." "It's a bit complicated, but... well..." "I'll explain it to you." "Marie-Louise, my embroiderer, is ill." "And the Queen asked me to make a dahlia design." "You know how the Queen is." "When she wants something she's so impatient that it makes you dizzy." "Does Madame Campan think I'm bored when I don't read?" "She assured me you're a good embroiderer." "She doesn't know the difference between reading and embroidery." "But I do." "I envy you for your passion for books." "When the time is right, I'll tell the Queen that it was you who created the design." "No, please don't." "She doesn't know I embroider." "So you accept?" "There's one condition..." "You want to be paid the same as Marie-Louise?" "It's not about money." "It's about that night..." "Madame Campan sure knows something." "She made me swear." "I won't tell anyone." "Excuse me, but ..." "I didn't catch it." "The people stormed the Bastille." "The Bastille?" "The Queen has been informed this morning." "She asked De Breuil to march to Paris with a foreign regiment." "The Count of Artois supports her." "The King's brother?" " Yes." "The King is very angry with him." "Right now he's in consultation." "The situation is very serious." "Don't talk to anyone about this!" "Jesus!" "It would break the Queen's trust in me." "Come with me." "I will give you her design booklet." "Madame D'Ossun will not know." "How long will it take for you to make the embroidery?" "Only a small dahlia, to give Her Majesty an idea." "Am I disturbing you?" "You never disturb me, Mademoiselle Laborde." "You want the news?" "I already know the essentials." "Monsieur De Barentin, who just left, he gave me the details." "Don't keep standing." "Take a seat." "Sit down." "Well then..." "Yesterday at dawn a convoy with ammunition heading for the Bastille was attacked by rioters who then plundered the arsenal of the invalids." "The people got armed and then marched in great numbers to the Bastille." "The guards' resistance was brave, but in vain." "The commander of the fortress, Monsieur De Launey, was beheaded." "Many Swiss guards got massacred." "And you know what the rebels found in the prison?" "Four counterfeiters, two madmen and a lecher who was jailed at request of his own family." "I don't know what to say." "There is nothing left to say anyway." "The damage is done." "The riots will spread all over the kingdom." "It's a bad business to be an officer of the King at the moment." "So it's true." "Someone woke up the King at night." "The Duke of La Rochefoucauld had the honor to do it... and the bad luck." "What will happen to us, Monsieur Moreau?" "Promise me..." "Don't tell anyony that I have the Queen's design booklet." "You can rely on me." "Look." "I will embroider this dahlia." "This way, Madame..." "What do they say?" " They're speaking English." "I heard them say "Polignac"." "Gabrielle?" "You call her Gabrielle?" "Why?" "Do we have to call her Duchess?" "Duchess, my ass..." "She takes advantage of that." "What do you say?" "Don't you start with that, too!" "From a provincial in debt to favorite of the Queen." "How do you call this?" "I call this a whore." "You parrot your mistress." "I say what everyone says." "She brings joy to the Queen's life." "Now, shut up or I'll leave." "Come on!" "You already know what she does with Paolo..." "Shut up already!" "The King!" "I must be dreaming!" "Look!" "That's the King!" "He's leaving the palace." "On foot." "Is he escaping?" " No." "His brothers are following." "They aren't looking too happy." "Where are they going?" "The King isn't wearing his hat with feathers." "Look, his brother almost slipped!" "With that fat ass of his he'd bounce softly." "I'll go and see them up close." "You're coming with me?" " What if my mistress rings for me?" "Tell her they took the Bastille!" "This is torture." "No, my brother." "It's a necessity." "They do everything the wrong way round." "If my master sees me!" "Monsieur De la Tour du Pin is a deputy." "And...?" "He sure will negotiate with deputy De Bailly." "Negotiate what?" "I'm tired of your questions!" "Let me through!" "Louison!" "Sidonie, this is my Gustav." "Sidonie Laborde, the Queen's reader." "Only second reader." " Too complicated for him." "Magnificent mustache!" "He can let us in?" "How kindly you are all of a sudden!" "What do I get in return?" "I'll lend Monsieur Janvier's clock to you for a whole night." "Really?" "Go through!" "Go!" "This is my heartfelt wish, my most fervent wish." "And I hope to be rewarded for the rectitude of my intentions and the love for my people." "Don't you come to dinner?" "So early?" "What time is it?" "Where's the clock?" "I've lent it to Louison." "How beautiful." "Who is it for?" "For a dear friend." "Do I know her?" "No." "Madame is constipated, so she doesn't eat." "How about some "Queen's pastry"?" "I'm not hungry." "What will you do?" "Wait." "Wait for what?" "For the Queen to call for me." "With empty stomach?" "I'm afraid, Alice." "I'm afraid for her." "Queen's pastry!" "You're spoiling me!" "I was already settled with some lentils." "Careful." "Sorry, I have poor vision." "Me too..." "Less and less." "I have the feeling even dusk starts earlier than before." "God!" "It's been ages since I had eaten this!" "You work too much, Monsieur Moreau." "That's bad for your vision and health." "The ongoing events get to me." "Things happen too fast now." "They cheered for the King." "They cheered because he spoke standing and without his hat." "They didn't cheer for the King, but for just another citizen." "Delicious!" "You know what hurts me most?" "The hostility towards the Queen." "I know your fervor for for Marie Antoinette." "Not at all." "I'm only her maidservant." "What do I say?" "Maidservant for the books of Her Majesty's library." "There is no fervor to this." "So young... and already blind." "Your love for the Queen makes you judge her capricious behavior with too much indulgence." "Gabrielle de Polignac is an illusion which will cost her dearly..." "And she's not yet finished paying for it." "I don't want you to hook up with the wrong crowd." "Moreau!" "Tell me..." "Where are the servants?" "I've been ringing for one hour and nobody answered." "Nobody comes, that's unacceptable!" "Monsieur Marquis, I assume they are just as lost as their masters." "The Marquis has been living for ten years in a dump." "While his a castle is said to be magnificent." "All this, just to see the King in the big hall twice a week." "And that's only when he's very lucky." "Moreau!" "Right on time!" "What's going on with that armed mob that wants to attack Versailles?" "How long will it take them to get to Paris?" "Twelve hours?" "Fifteen?" "Is the King prepared for this?" "In the meantime prepare yourself, Monsieur De Jolivet." "The people is a material highly flammable." "I have to organize our defense." "I think I'll be staying here." "Here?" "Such absurd idea!" "I won't be able to find any sleep in my room." "Then I say goodbye now." "And thanks for the improvised dinner." "It was delicious." "But one thing was missing..." "A good bottle of wine." "I completely forgot!" "Should I get one?" "Don't bother, Mademoiselle." "I'll go myself," "I have to stretch my legs." "Well... everyone says I'm wise, but I'm no different than any other." "It's just a pamphlet, but it illustrates what happens right in front of the guards." "Mademoiselle Laborde..." "If you see the Queen, tell her about this disgracefulness." "Could you read it to us?" "This is the list ... with the 286 heads... that need to be cut off... to carry on with the necessary reforms." "The first two names... are the Queen... and the Count of Artois." "Then..." "Then?" "The Duchess de Polignac... and the Princess... of Lamballe." "I am... the 21st head... they want to cut off." "Monsieur Moreau!" "Sidonie!" "It's not the end of the world yet, but ..." "You drank too much." "The Queen is in danger." "When the worm is in the apple..." "Go away!" "They've been looking everywhere for you, my little bunny." "Who is looking for me?" "The Wolf." "Who is looking for me?" "Make way for the young!" "I'll return to the kitchen area." "The cooking wine's flavor is sour, but ... it'll do." "What do you want?" "You know already." "And you want the same." "Come with me!" "When he saw his name on the list, he fainted." "Hurry up!" "It'd be better in my cabin." "Leave it to me!" "Do you prefer Gabrielle de Polignac?" "What if I tell you since yesterday I've been only thinking of you?" "Sidonie Laborde!" "Sidonie Laborde!" "Stay in here!" "If you show yourself, we'll never see each other again." "Alice!" "The Queen's runner has been looking for you everywhere!" "Oh my god!" "I left the Queen waiting!" "You haven't been in your room." "A serious fault during such hectic night." "We'll talk later about this." "The Queen is reading and organizing some papers." "She doesn't need a reader this time." "Write down some book titles, a dozen at most, that are indispensable in case she goes to the countryside." "The Queen wants to leave?" "Don't ask questions, please!" "I'd feel more comfortable in the library." "Nobody cares if you're comfortable or not." "The library and the annex will be full of luggage." "Go to the bathroom." "We use it for sorting the clothes of Madame Rochereuil." "The Queen doesn't need this shirt." "I'll sell it for a good price." "Not so loud!" "No more contempt!" "We are human beings just like her." "Even now she thinks she's superior..." "Don't you agree, Henriette?" "She's still reading letters of her lovers?" "We'll be here till the morning." "She burns many of them." "Also the list of her expenses, especially those that show her generosity for the Polignacs." "This white silk corsage..." "Not even her style, is it?" "Let's make fifty-fifty." " No." "I don't do that." "It's a mistake not to use this opportunity." "Believe me, you'll regret it soon." "Your brother will tell you." "He tells everyone how much he's fed up with kings." "Shut up!" "Shut up!" "You think so?" "That's my job." "I know her taste better than you do." "We'll see." "Why do you look at me like that?" "Close the door!" "The Queen is calling for you." "Mademoiselle Laborde at your service, Majesty." "Leave us alone!" "I didn't know you were here." "They hide everything from me." "It's unbearable." "Come closer!" "I need your help." "Helping you is my greatest desire, Majesty." "I know I can count on you." "Your discretion is honourable." "What I'll ask you for won't take too much time." "In the library you'll find geography books with detailed maps." "Find out the best travel route between Versailles and Metz." "Monsieur Le Cornu of Balivière!" "Madame!" "This is what circulates in the palace." "This is why I'm organising my departure for Metz, my dear friend." "Count Esterhâzy will join us en route with his regiment." "In Metz we'll gather troops and then storm Paris." "It's a crime that this city wants to give orders to the King!" "...and to France!" "Paris is not France." "What does the King say?" "He thinks the same." "Metz has a powerful fortress." "It's a wise choice." "Don't pay too much attention to this pamphlet." "It smells as bad as manure, like anything from Paris." "The King wants to get advice from his brothers." "Tonight, but no later than tomorrow." "We have to let the King act." "At least for now." "The Duke of Bourbon has fled, disguised as a stableman." "And I'll leave dressed as the Queen of France!" "Leave me alone now." "Good night, Madame." "Good Lord, I'm so tired!" "I can't get up the energy anymore." "The mere thought of the trip hurts my back." "Are you still there?" "Yes, Your Majesty." "Close the door and then come to me." "Go where I can see you." "Take this seat." "You know what I find so charming about you, Sidonie?" "It's not so much the beauty of your facial lines." "It's rather the youth that you radiate all the time." "But Your Majesty, you're so young ..." "I was." "I have a question." "I will answer all of Her Majesty's questions as far as I'm able to." "Did you ever feel attracted to a woman... to the point of... suffering terribly when she's not there?" "I can spend hours imagining her... with my eyes closed:" "the shape of her face, the softness of her skin, the cheerful glow of her eyes..." "I guess I know who you're talking about." "I envy her for being the object of such intimate friendship." "Until the point... that in miserable times I only think of her absence." "It depends on you..." "Unfortunately not." "Gabrielle de Polignac isn't one of those persons who can easily be seduced." "I was captivated when I saw her at Trianon." "She felt at home." "She went in and out as if she had always lived there." "She was never lead by the intention to please me." "I like that kind of freedom." "You may wonder why she's not here although I'm craving so much for her presence." "I, the Queen of France." "The answer to that question scares me." "I have to recognize that..." "I am her prisoner." "It's been two hours since I asked Madame Campan to call for her." "Gabrielle let her know that she's angry." "But what is she angry about?" "What have I done to put her off?" "May I try what Madame Campan wasn't able to do?" "I will find better words to convince her." "I know the right words." "They're from the books that I read." "Try it then, and we will see." "Madame Tournon, I need to see the Duchess!" "On behalf of the Queen." "She's fast asleep." "I'll wake her up." "Madame Campan already tried that." "Let me in." "She took two doses of opium so she can sleep." "You know what I think?" "I think the Queen is an evil woman." "She drove my mistress crazy." "Just the opposite, Madame Tournon." "I don't need you." "The Queen sent you to pick up Gabrielle?" "None of your business!" "Go and disassemble the Queen's jewelery!" "Their jewelry?" "That's her latest whim." "Taking the jewels with her, but without the bezels." "She says it takes up less space in her luggage." "Did you do what I asked you for?" "She's fast asleep." "Like an angel." "What's this?" "I asked you to figure out the route to Metz!" "Did you?" "I guess not." "No." "Bring Léonard, my hairdresser." "I see geography is not your domain of expertise." "Léonard traveled a lot." "Augustine!" "Go and call for Monsieur Léonard!" "Mademoiselle Laborde will help me to remove the bezels from the jewels." "And don't forget my son's navy dress!" "And my daughter's straw hat!" "The sun gives her migraines." "A pearl got dropped there." "I'll pick it up." "I'll also need pots for tea, coffee, and chocolate." "And my knitting needles... and a spinning wheel." "Madame Campan, write that down!" "What do I know about the nights in Metz?" "I'll be bored to death!" "Augustine, help me with the bracelets!" "She went to fetch Monsieur Léonard." "Where is Mademoiselle Laborde?" "Behind you." "I can't find it." "Come here!" "A pearl won't save us!" "Help me take these bracelets off!" "Why are you crying?" "Don't worry." "I will not forsake you." "I'll return soon." "Is it you who screamed like a pig?" "I fell asleep..." "I needed some air." "We'll sleep in a real bed." "After his night watch I'll straighten his mustache." "Come on, Gustav." "(speaks funny in German) Come on!" "VERSAILLES, 16 JULY 1789" "You should have seen his face ..." "He hoped I'll scream:" ""Your Excellency, The Duke of Niverney!"" "But nothing." "Nothing?" "I said nothing, did nothing." "You chased him away?" "He had a knife!" "And Monsieur De Bargue?" "He was still in Madame De Montignac's bed!" "Poor Madame De Bargue." "I feel sorry for her." "She was right:" "Beggars bring the plague." "The guards deserted." "Really?" "The French guards deserted?" "Even the Swiss guards." "The Queen did well to leave." " What are you saying?" "She fled to Metz." "But that's a secret." "Nonsense!" "Madame De la Tour du Pin has just seen her." "She's now in the Council Hall." "The King sent for her early." "I saw her packing her stuff." "You must've been dreaming." "No more soup!" "Mademoiselle Laborde." "I'm embarrassed." "I usually don't drink wine..." "Marquis De la Chesnaye found me near the King's chambers." "Imagine this disaster!" "If the King had seen me..." "God, what a shame!" "Monsieur Moreau, do you have news from the Queen?" "The Queen..." "Is she in consultation with the King?" "The King..." "What do you know?" "At the moment they're at the Cabinet of the Council." "I saw Monsieur de Barentin." "Who are all those loafers in here?" "Really..." "Nothing works in this palace." "Butcher!" "You'll pay for this!" "Pierre Desnot." "That's no surprise." "What did he do?" "Nothing." "But his brother cut off the head of the Bastille's bailiff with his pocket knife." "But Pierre is a good guy, I know him." " Yes." "Louison?" "It's me." "Sidonie." "Are you sleeping?" "The clock!" "Shit!" "Monsieur Marquis, have you seen Monsieur Moreau?" "Good old Moreau!" "I've been living in the palace for 25 years, but I never saw him like that!" "I knew you'd be here!" "Do you have the embroidery?" "It's almost done." " Perfect!" "I need you to give back the booklet." "I don't want to cause trouble for Madame De Ossun." "If the Queen wants to flip through it..." "You know her..." "When she wants something..." "I think she has more important problems than that." "The King!" "We have to get away!" "How can I convince you, my brother?" "Get up!" "They are watching us." "I'm sorry, Marquis." "Running away is useless." "After listening to them, the King will obviously stay in Versailles." "The members of the government." "The Duke De la Vauguyon, foreign secretary," "Monsieur De La Porte, secretary of the navy." "Monsieur De Barentin, minister of justice." "No important news for your archives." "The King is going to check the thermometer in the throne room." "A total disaster!" "After much hesitation, the King decided to stay." "The government of Breteuil is dismissed." "Will Necker return?" "I don't know." "It is not certain yet." "Gentlemen, we are expected to resign to a new dynasty." "Louis XVI is no longer free in his decisions." "He is hostage of the uprising." "What we will you do?" "I'll stay with the Queen as long as necessary." "This prospect..." "seems to fulfill you." "I can't imagine my life's condition if the Queen would leave Versailles." "And you, Monsieur Moreau?" " I..." "Until my hour of death," "I'll take notes." "The situation is this:" "The Queen is angry and has retreated to her chamber." "You have to distract her with a book." "Any suggestions?" "What about the Duchess?" "Gabrielle is not all-powerful." "Be quick!" "She likes "The Dictionary of Famous Dogs"." "Too frivolous." ""History of the Sky"." "Too tedious." ""The Princess of Clèves" by Madame Laffaiete." "Too depressing." ""Confessions" by Rousseau"?" "You check with her." "But let me make this clear:" "It wasn't the Queen calling for you." "It was me." "I beg your discretion." "In the antechamber?" "We are unpacking the luggage there." "With Madame De Rochereuil?" "No." "She got fired." "The Queen caught her stealing." "It's always sad to lose a good friend." "I never had any friends at Versailles." "We'll enter from the backside." "Madame Campan!" "Yes?" "I have to confess something..." "Monsieur Janvier's clock..." " Yes?" "Louison stole it." "She left with Gustav, the Swiss guard." "It will be deducted from your salary." "Are you serious?" "The rest of my life won't be enough to pay for it." "After all..." "who cares about this clock?" "Come." "I longed so much for my departure..." "Never have I longed so much for one thing." "I suffered a humiliation that is unprecedented." "If they had accepted the King, you and I would be save." "My dear friend..." "I've been so worried." "I thought you were ill." "Terrible ideas were lurking in my mind." "But now you're here." "Splendid." "How you beautiful you are in this green dress." "Watery green?" "Mellow green?" "Pastel green?" "Jade green?" "Or green like a baby crocodile?" "You're wrong, my sweet." "Neither crocodile green, nor spinach green, nor acid green." "Silk green?" "Or green like envy?" "Envy is the most common thing this world." "Everyone covets a status higher than their own." "And so they end up bumping against the ceiling." "If only I could have you always by my side." "You're like a fountain of youth to me." "Have you seen all those desolate faces?" "Crows with a rancid smell." "And suddenly I saw you, enchanting in your dress." "Light green is the color of hope." "Did you put it on for me?" "Only for you, Madame." "You know, my dear friend..." "I don't exaggerate about the hate that surrounds us." "I've drawn you into this." "It's my fault that the people want your head." "You know what I've learned from the Council this morning?" "Yesterday in Paris, a woman had been stabbed in her carriage." "The killers thought it was you." "It's not enough for them anymore to burn us in effigy." "They want us... in the flesh." "Therefore, my dear Gabrielle," "I beg you..." "Leave France!" "You and your family." "You're certainly right, Madame." "Since it's needed, I will go." "Don't say anything anymore." "Leave!" "Wait!" "Let me breathe for the last time the scent of your youth." "Don't allow that I abandon you." "You already did." "It's done." "You've abandoned me." "Augustine!" "Go get the salts!" "I don't need anything!" "Or anyone!" "Leave me alone!" "Leave me alone." "What gives me this honor?" "Usually you never come." "If only I knew where to go!" "I'm as lost as you." "There's a spider web in your hair." "I went for a walk." "In the attic?" "It's raining too hard for or a stroll on the roof." "Here we are..." "Both prisoners, you and I..." "I've just talked to Monsieur Bailly, the new mayor of Paris." "He was welcomed with great enthusiasm in the town hall." "What did he say?" "Something very alarming." "The people not only want bread, but also power." "How could anyone want power?" "For me it's a curse that one involuntarily inherits." "A curse hidden under a fur coat of ermine." "What else did he say?" "That I should reinstate Necker and tell the deputies." "At the town hall?" "You know I hate violence." "Things have to be done properly." "Then we'll go together." "No, Madame." "It's the King, and only the King, who's required to come to Paris." "Don't go there, please!" "You could be assassinated by a fanatic." "It's my duty." " What duty?" "To get killed?" "To be taken hostage?" "Or to abandon your children?" "When will you leave?" " Tomorrow." "Escorted?" "Coming to Paris with my guards would anger the people." "Marshal De Beauveau and admiral D'Estain will go with me." "That's crazy!" "No, Madame." "It's the voice of reason." "Is it finished?" "Show me." "I didn't get a wink of sleep." "I need a rest." " You can use my bed." "I'll better be in my own room." "Like a nun in her cell?" "Why do you say that?" "Keep it up and you will end as a nun." "What about Paolo?" "Wake up!" "My mistress hanged herself!" "Where?" "In her bedroom." "Sidonie, I'm scared!" "She's still hanging there?" "I asked Antonin to take her down." "Antonin?" "Yes." "We will get married." "Really?" "What can I do?" "I have to go back." "But I don't want to go alone." "Monsieur De Coigny?" "Are you there?" "I am sorry for the disturbance." "Don't bother, Mademoiselle Laborde." "Under such circumstances..." "Has it been reported to Monsieur De Bargue that his wife is dead?" "Monsieur De Bargue already left the palace." "His behavior is unspeakable." "It's useless to go back, Alice." "You'll stay here tonight." "I can't leave Antonin alone there with the body of Madame De Bargue!" "I will go." "Honorine, my boots!" "We'll wake up abbot Herissé." "Now I understand..." "What do you mean, Sidonie?" "Why the Queen knocked at closed doors." "Nonsense!" "She never opened or closed a door in her life." "That little man without his cassock who carries a statue of marble..." "Is that abbot Herissé or am I seeing wrong?" "Your vision is all right, Madame." "It seems he was in a hurry to change his habits." "Don't worry." "I'll wake up the bishop then." "What a pitiable sight!" "The Marquis De Vaucouleurs!" "At his age..." "Afer all, I'll join you." "Doggy!" "I haven't seen Madame De Bargue in a long time." "But we are of the same class." "And I owe her a prayer." "In your nightgown?" "That's undecent." "Before being betrayed, Madame De Bargue was very imaginative." "Alice..." "Let's go!" "Did you know Alice was going to marry?" "Sure." "And he's a good catch." "Antonin's cousin is head servant of the King." "Why doesn't anyone tell me anything?" "Because you don't tell us anything either." "It's true." "Or where you're from?" "You have parents?" "Are they dead or alive?" "Where were you born?" "After four years I don't know anything about you." "A mystery!" "You read all the time." "But there are more things than books... and the Queen!" "She may rest in peace." "Don't fall, Antonin!" "VERSAILLES, 17 JULY 1789" "God knows if they will see each other again." "You have the booklet and the embroidery?" "Excellent work, Mademoiselle Laborde!" "Thank you." "How's the Queen?" "Wait here!" "The important thing is to reach Switzerland safe and sound." "What do you think of my outfit, Polignac?" "These days, a coachman keeps his head longer than nobleman." "But I never drove a carriage." "This cap suits you well." "Very authentic!" "It's giving me frivolous ideas." "Keep that remark up your buttocks, Monsieur!" "My wife hates costumes." "What are we waiting for?" "I want to leave!" "This apron is choking me!" "My wife, it's seems you're very nervous." "Not nervous." "I'm burning with impatience, dear husband!" "That's charming for your beloved Queen!" "As you know, it was the Queen who ordered us to leave." "Can you explain?" "The Queen will explain it." "Come." "Deny everything she asks for." "I cannot deny her anything." "Well, it's none of my business." "Mademoiselle Laborde." "Come here and see." "Remember?" "Two days ago I asked for this dahlia embroidery." "What do you think?" "Madame Bertin's embroiderer is very gifted." "She stitched it with love." "What's her name again?" "Marie-Louise Berchaud." "She will be rewarded." "On top of that table... over there... is a handwritten speech of mine." "Bring it to me, please." "In case the King runs into trouble" "I will hold this speech in front of the assembly." "Read the beginning." ""Gentlemen, I have..."" "No, read it loud!" "As if you were the Queen of France." ""Gentlemen, ..."" ""I have come to bring you the wife"" ""and the family of the King."" ""Do not allow to separate on earth"" ""what was united in heaven."" "I haven't continued yet." "But it's a good introduction, right?" "Very good, Madame." "Do you believe he will return?" "With all my heart." "How can I ask such stupid questions!" "You don't know." "Nobody knows." "I know he's fulfilling his duty." "Shut up!" "I don't want to talk about it anymore." "Let's talk about your future." "My future is where you are, Madame." "Exactly not." "Soon there will be a carriage leaving for Switzerland." "You'll be going with it." "Don't look like that!" "Two days ago you told me you'd be ready to make any voyage for me." "I grant you this privilege." "You will escape together with the Duke and the Duchess De Polignac." "Gabrielle is too famous and unfairly criticized." "Without the disguise she'd risk her life." "She will disguise as a maid and you will put on her dress." "In case the carriage gets stopped, I want her to get away." "In a way, Majesty, you ask me to be the bait." "A very ugly word from such pretty mouth!" "Words are everything I have." "I know how to use them." "Don't be so arrogant when I give you the chance to earn my love!" "Madame Campan!" "Call for Madame Bertin." "Yesterday I confessed my love for Gabrielle to you." "Because you deserve it." "Has any queen ever shared such intimacy with their reader?" "Almost nothing has to be altered." "Take off your clothes!" "Take off your clothes." "Madame Bertin!" "These gold coins are for your embroiderer." "With my compliments." "That's too much, Your Majesty." "Sidonie!" "Tell Gabrielle... that I will never forget her." "Mademoiselle Laborde." "What are you doing?" "Behave yourself." "Stop it!" "Noone should see you at the window." "In Sens, we'll see." "Your friend's plan was a bad idea." "Do you know of any better?" "This maquerade will come to a bad end." "Depends on how convincing you are as a servant." "Do something!" "Lie down on the seat!" "Mademoiselle Laborde." "Do not disappoint the Queen!" "Where are you going?" "Basel, I have family there." "Your have a permit?" "Oh, it's you?" "It's me." "I travel with my maid and my servant." "Bon voyage!" "Let them pass!" "My name is Sidonie Laborde." "I am an orphan." "I was the Queen's reader." "I am loyal to the Queen." "Soon, I will be far from Versailles." "Soon, I will be a nobody."