♪ ♪ ♪ [Horse neighs] ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh, look, another snow queen and her king.

Look, there, over there.

[Laughs] People are building statues to thank your mama and papa for their charity.

There are snow kings and queens all over France.

But no snow princesses.

The people like your parents, but they're not so keen on you.

Marie: Yolande is teasing.

[Kiss] Slow down, driver!

Driver: Whoa!

Marie: Well, I think it's wonderful.

It shows that when we are kind to our subjects, they're kind to us.

Is that a person on the steps?

Leave him.

We've given out all the supplies.

Bring a fur, Lamballe.

[Door opens] Mousseline, you stay here.

[Horse neighs] Guard: Your Majesty, be careful.

He won't hurt us.

He's barely alive.

Man: Your Majesty, over here!

Guard: Careful, Your Majesty.

Distant man: Throw him a crown!

Marie: Sir, can you hear us?

Back, back, get back, back.

Marie: There are more.

They will expect us to help them, too.

Madame Royale: Mummy, look!

They might not believe we have nothing left to give.

Mousseline.

Guard: Look!

Princess, back.

Marie: Mousseline, get back in the carriage.

No, don't touch her!

[Man wheezes] Oh!

Guard: Protect the Queen!

[Indistinct chatter, shouting] Oh!

Woman: No!

Man: Your Majesty!

Drive on!

♪ [Distant shouting fades] [Theme music playing] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Rohan: From the depths of this cruel winter, Lord, hear our cries.

Guard us from despair as we toil in the dark trenches of human existence, engaged in the relentless and futile pursuit of ephemeral triumph.

[Sneezes] Rohan: Release us from this endless torment.

[Coughs] The weather or this sermon?

[Snoring] Rohan: Guide us, Lord, through the lamentable lavishes of life, where every step is trouble.

Warm our frigid flesh and feed our starving bellies with your forgiveness.

Marie: Oh, hypocrite.

He is such a... No one in this place is starving, least of all Cardinal Rohan.

Rohan: And protect us from the schemes of villains who wish us harm.

[Horse snorts] ♪ ♪ [Door closes] ♪ [Scoffs] Oh, please.

Don't you know who I am?

♪ [Speaks indistinctly] Marie: The ladies of Versailles don't just get the body of Christ.

No, they get a taste of Rohan's finger, too.

Look at this.

♪ ♪ Ah!

Sorry.

So clumsy.

Ah!

Sorry.

So sorry, excuse me.

♪ ♪ Marie: He should have been exiled years ago.

Instead, he's made Cardinal, and no woman dares to complain about him.

You complain about him constantly.

I'm not a woman.

I'm a Queen.

I don't fear anyone.

Not even Rohan.

♪ [Both giggle] Vergennes: Your cousin the Duke de Chartres wishes permission to expand the Palais Royal.

Louis: Refused.

Vergennes: The household committee has drawn up a short list of artists to paint your new portrait.

Marie: Fine.

Cardinal Rohan reiterates his desire to serve in your cabinet.

Over my dead body.

Louis: You agreed to stay out of politics.

Rohan is personal.

He called my mother a despotic old bag.

Despotic old hag.

Bag.

Vergennes: Hag, Your Majesty.

Marie: Breteuil, what else?

Witnesses observed your favourite sitting by your side in the stateroom.

[Chuckles] Yolande will be reminded that only a Duchess may sit in my presence.

She will also be flogged.

Excellent.

[Both chuckle] Marquis Lafayette is waiting in the Oeil de Boeuf.

The court jeweler will see you in the antechamber.

Good day, madam.

Louis.

Leave us.

Thank you.

[Footsteps depart] I need more money, for the aid effort.

Why?

The people are building effigies to thank us for our help.

They are still freezing in the streets.

There's money to spare.

The war's over.

Of course.

Spend what you need.

You look tired.

So do you.

The pregnancy, your charity.

You're doing too much.

You wouldn't know.

You only ever see me at mass.

Well, at least you have the children for company.

Mm.

Kiss them for me?

Go.

Heh!

[Footsteps depart] ♪ [Children giggle] Mummy!

There's your mummy.

[Children giggle] Hey, come on, go see her.

Quick, Antoinette, the hyenas are coming.

Man: Your Majesty, please!

Woman: Majesty?

Marie: So, mwah!

I'll see you in my rooms for some hot chocolate.

Off you go, off you go.

[Distant clamoring] Let's get out of here.

Yes.

Have you got those sweets?

This baby loves sugar.

Well, they were in my pocket a second ago.

I don't-- Oh, you've eaten them all.

You're such a pig!

I don't know where they are.

Man: Wait, wait!

[All talk at once] [Humming] ♪ ♪ ♪ This must be the most perfect presentation.

♪ ♪ Woman: Your Majesty.

♪ Guard: You are not allowed inside.

[Sighs] Marie: Mr. Boehmer.

May I present the Queen of Diamonds, festooned with 600 of the most precious gems.

If I spend 2 million on a necklace, I will be festooned, from a lamp post.

Yolande, choose something from Mr. Boehmer's tray.

Hmm.

Marie: That will keep the debt collectors from your door until you find another buyer for the necklace.

Your Majesty is very kind.

Put it on my account.

Good day, Mr. Boehmer.

♪ Marie: Poor man.

That's the third time he's tried to sell me that necklace.

Serves him right for making something so vulgar.

Make way for the Queen, please and thank you.

Please move.

No.

Woman: Your Majesty, please, for the charity.

Yolande: No.

Woman: Please consider.

I wish to see Her Majesty.

She doesn't wish to see you.

She's retired to her private apartments.

I am a Rohan.

My family stands above all the nobility in France.

I do not defer to some ****-******* country countess.

Marie: Oh, please, do continue.

Majesty, y-you look radiant.

[Scoffs] [Door slams] Bitch.

Marie: Ah, what's that lovely smell?

Hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate?

Hee hee!

Did you leave some for us?

Oh, peace... [sighs] and warmth.

Mwah!

Come on, then.

Show us what you chose.

Hmm.

Mm, ta-da!

Ah!

You're too good to me.

Clearly, but you save my sanity on a daily basis.

Hmm.

And who else could I trust as governess to these little horrors?

[Children giggle] Yolande: Exactly.

But now I must return your monstrous offspring to the nursery.

Madame Royale has a music lesson, and the Dauphin needs his nap, don't you?

And so do you.

You look pale.

Do I?

Too much running round Paris with blankets and brioche.

Anyway, I must be doing something right.

The people love me.

Mm.

[Chuckles] Now come on, children.

Our perfect Queen needs to rest.

Come on.

Yolande?

Hm?

Please stay with me tonight.

I can't.

Vaudreuil?

Hmm.

You're so lucky to have him.

And Jules.

Mm.

♪ ♪ ♪ Work.

[Sighs] ♪ ♪ "Dearest sister, Austria requires your help."

[Scoffs] Well, Austria can join the queue.

♪ ♪ Seal, seal, seal.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Unfortunately, my intelligence was accurate.

Irritating incursion, 12 o'clock.

Louis: Lafayette is stalking me.

Vergennes: Pretend you haven't seen him.

Lafayette: Majesty, I have returned from America with Mr. Washington's regards.

But liberty is expensive.

A donation would bring glory to France's reputation.

Reputation?

It seems you have been gone from France too long, Lafayette.

See, our nation leads the world in literature, theater, cuisine, fashion, scientific endeavor, philosophical thought.

To seek more glory would be...unseemly.

Perhaps Mr. Washington should look to his own reputation.

He could start by repaying the one billion livres France has contributed to American Independence.

♪ Shameless.

But then, Americans are.

Now, you still haven't appointed a financial controller, and it is making the market jumpy, so, in the interim, may I offer myself as your economics advisor?

[Snickers] Sorry.

You?

I wish to serve the crown.

Heh!

No.

You wish to access my treasury so that you can rob it and pay off your debts.

Manage your household budget, brother.

Leave the economy to me.

[Footsteps depart] ♪ You can't do everything yourself!

Louis: Oh, so cold!

[Sighs] Everywhere I turn, Vergennes, there's someone with a begging bowl.

I bet the Sultan didn't have these problems.

Well, I'm afraid the court of Constantinople is even greedier than Versailles, but the Sultan does enjoy a warmer winter.

Hmm.

Is Provence right about the markets being nervous?

[Sighs] Financiers worry that your delay in appointing a financial controller indicates a fiscal problem.

Then we are out of time.

Vergennes: Yes.

♪ Who can we trust with a secret that could destroy France?

[Sighs] [Indistinct chatter] ♪ ♪ ♪ I see your admirers have been decorating your walls again.

[Door closes] Philippe: It might help if Versailles stopped spreading lies about me deserting my ship.

Not me.

I only ever speak of you in the highest terms, cousin.

Felicité.

We have company.

Lovely to see you, Provence.

Tell your knees.

They're not curtsying.

They have this quaint notion that all men and women are equal.

Quaint indeed.

Don't be too long, Philippe.

I want to read you my latest chapter.

[Door closes] God, she's unbearable.

That's the difference between us.

I adore a woman who's smarter than me.

Well, no wonder your bed's never empty.

[Scoffs] So, what's the latest at Versailles?

He's incapable of decision.

He's still yet to appoint a financial controller.

He's decisive enough to deny my requests.

He's refused me permission to expand the arcades.

To be fair, they have turned the Palais Royal into a den of iniquity.

The wags at court call you "the shopkeeper."

[Scoffs] "Brothel keeper" might be more apt.

Well, you lot cut me out.

How else am I supposed to support my children?

And their assorted mothers.

Where is the official wife these days?

Haven't seen the old girl in ages.

In the country.

Still sulking about you spunking her dowry on whores?

How petty, but never mind.

The world and your wife think you're a libertine and a coward.

But who cares?

You're one of the richest men in France.

Reputation is everything, cousin.

And thanks to our glorious King, mine is lost.

♪ [Shivering] ♪ ♪ ♪ Villette?

Huh?

Villette, put your **** away and help me out of my cape.

You're home late.

Five minutes sooner, I'd have caught you servicing the baker.

Yeah, well, I've gotta eat.

Even if I had any customers, my inks froze days ago.

What did he pay for his pleasure?

Some bread.

Ta-da!

Seriously?

You're worth at least a couple of eclairs.

Thanks.

Did you get anything?

Uh, yes, um, fresh from the favourites' pockets and books.

That's for kindling.

Is that it?

My fingers were numb.

I'll go back tomorrow.

There's more than one way to dip a pocket.

We'll use a fake charity.

"Care to donate to the poor fallen women?"

You could shake that tin anywhere in Paris.

What's so special in Versailles?

Life.

All right, pass me the books.

We'll start with Voltaire.

He burns slower.

♪ ♪ [Door closes] ♪ ♪ Marie: "Fate has drawn a line between us"... [Knock on door] "but has no power "to keep you from my mind.

I am lost in thoughts of you."

♪ "These forbidden letters "are my solace, Good morning, Your Majesty.

Others: Good morning, Your Majesty.

[Yawning] What's all this?

Uh, gifts, Majesty, from an admirer.

Marie: Oh, beautiful.

Uh, is there a note?

There is.

"Diamonds to soothe ears "hurt by my careless words.

"Roses the color of my repentant blush and my Cardinal's robes."

The gifts are from Rohan?

[Chuckling] Well, who else?

[Spits] ♪ He thinks he can buy me.

He insulted Yolande, and now, he is sending me gifts.

[Scoffs] Gifts.

I love hearing you complain about Rohan, but I do have-- But, why is it that... a country to run.

the most privileged families always want more from us?

[Sighs] Welcome to Versailles.

You are the King.

Change it.

We could... make some new promotions, increase pensions, show the entitled families that we are a modern regime that rewards service and loyalty over high birth.

The head of my stables.

He's always been a loyal fellow.

He should have a large pension.

And...and Claudine.

Yes.

She's cooked for you since you were a little boy.

Exactly.

Um... And what about-- what about the children's governess?

I don't know why everyone is so outraged by this book.

It's really very tame.

Calonne: Well, when it comes to debauchery, you Polignacs set a very high bar.

Or maybe, Calonne, you've just led a very dull life.

Hmm.

Double or quits?

Heh!

Deal.

How the hell?

Geometry, physics, and startling mental acuity.

So that's 20,000 livres to me.

Added to your outstanding losses, and with compound interest applied, you owe me 81,426.

What the hell?

Calonne: I rounded up.

Here.

Down payment.

Excuse me!

That belonged to my mother.

You never wear it.

Not the point.

Jules: My heavens.

I've been made a duke!

♪ Heh!

♪ [Door opens] Duchess de Polignac.

Yolande: Thank you.

[Door closes] Oh, thank you!

I'd kiss you too, but not even a Duchess can kiss a King.

The Queen and I wish to...remind court that rank can be attained by loyal service, not just by birth.

Marie: You're a loyal friend, and a dedicated governess, so your reward is the highest title in the land.

But the court will hate it.

That's the whole point.

[Chuckles] [Shivering] ♪ ♪ [Sniffling] ♪ ♪ Adelaide: What are you doing?!

[Rapid footsteps approaching] Identify yourself.

Countess Jeanne de Valois.

I am honored.

If you are from the royal house of Valois, how come we don't know you?

♪ My name is royal, but I am never at Versailles.

So many people, all courting favor.

And yet, here you are.

Yes, but not for myself.

I--I'm collecting for the poor fallen women.

[Distant door closes] Wretched creatures, defiled by the male of our species.

Men are such... Josephine: Adelaide!

beasts... Josephine: Victoire!

don't you think?

Oh, yes.

And women should know better than to be fooled by them.

Josephine: The Queen--you won't believe what she's done.

Come on.

[Laughs] Oh.

♪ Man: Congratulations, Duchess.

Woman: My greetings, Duchess.

Thank you.

Heh heh!

A title used to indicate a person of substance.

Now it indicates a commoner who's ****** her way to the top.

Happy for you, and you deserve it.

Oh, thank you, ladies.

Well, thank the Queen as well.

[Chuckles] That woman has cast a spell over Her Majesty.

Hmm.

No enchantment lasts forever.

One day, the Queen will wake up and see de Polignac for who she really is.

Thank you.

She gives de Polignac a Duchy, and I can't even get on the King's Council.

You shouldn't have insulted her mother.

It was a joke.

Bloody Austrians have no sense of humor.

Man: Milady, you look stunning.

Well, if she thinks I'm bowing to Duke and Duchess Country Bumpkin, she's got another think coming.

Majesty.

♪ Duke and Duchess de Polignac.

Heh!

♪ [Horses snort] [Distant horse nickers] ♪ The Duke de Chartres.

He rides up here sometimes.

I think he misses the place.

Leave him.

Louis: Let him look at what he's lost.

♪ [Coughs, sputters] Vaudreuil!

What happened?

I'm fine.

This was in in his mouth.

His contract with the money lender Saint James.

Now you've got a Duchy, he wants paid.

Well, he can't get his money from a dead man.

Well, according to that, Vaudreuil's debts don't die with him.

They go to Jules.

We don't have that kind of money.

[Sighs] You could ask the Queen.

For three million livres?

You have no choice.

Oh, I do!

I've spent years debasing myself in this place to feather your nest and his.

I'm done.

Vaudreuil: They will kill me.

And then they'll come for him.

♪ Take him to his family.

[Chuckling] What, in Saint Domingue?

You'll leave tonight, during the party.

You'll be on the boat before anyone notices you're gone.

But it's a hell hole.

You can come back once I've paid off the debt.

How, if you won't ask the Queen?

The King has a vacancy for mistress.

Du Barry made a fortune.

♪ He also has a vacancy for financial controller.

I don't think you're qualified.

No.

But you are.

You can repay Vaudreuil's debts from the treasury.

What, steal from the public purse?

Join the club.

This whole court's on the make.

The King has rejected all applications for the post of financial controller.

Why would he accept mine?

Leave that to me.

♪ Pack your bags.

[Child giggling] [Blowing raspberries] [Giggling continues] [Chuckling, blowing raspberries] [Clears throat] D-Duchess, I, um... [Clears throat] I--I didn't see you there.

I always check on the children before they go to sleep.

So do I.

It's odd we've not bumped into each other.

When he's fractious, he likes to chew on this.

[Louis chuckles] You are an excellent governess.

You're an excellent father.

People are usually more concerned with my abilities as King.

I must go.

[Kiss] Mm.

I have so little time these days.

You might have more leisure if you appointed a financial controller.

You over-reach yourself, Duchess.

I--I come to the nursery to escape politics.

[Footsteps departing] [Door opens and closes] Marie: Isn't this lace adorable?

Woman: Yes.

So pretty.

It's lovely.

No jewels.

It's just a small party with Yolande.

Thank you for not being difficult about her promotion.

I would hate for you to be jealous.

Oh, why would I be jealous?

I'm a princess.

I will always outrank a duchess.

I reward loyalty.

Hmm.

She's loyal.

I'm sure she is.

[Door opens] [Indistinct chatter and laughter] ♪ ♪ Am I financial controller?

Not yet.

Have Vaudreuil and Jules packed?

They've gone.

Gone?

Without saying good-bye?

Well, they had to take their chance when the coast was clear.

♪ Leave me.

♪ ♪ I thought it would be you and me.

What--what is this?

A small party.

Just a few friends.

Marie: Rohan?

You invite Rohan?

He invited himself.

I wish to leave.

Then I'll see you tomorrow.

Heh!

Oh, I wish you to come with me.

Just...go and rest.

Maybe write a letter in lemon juice?

You always feel better after that.

You risk seeming ungrateful... [Whispers] Duchess.

♪ Everything I have, you've given of your own accord, for your own reasons.

I'm not beholden to you.

♪ [Exhales shakily] ♪ ♪ ♪ [Water dripping] Mm.

[Groaning] Oh.

[Sighs] [Whispers] Villette.

Huh?

[Sighs] I saw the court jeweler the other day.

Huh.

He was carrying a jewel case as big as a cart.

Let me guess.

It contained a diamond necklace.

Why not?

'Cause it doesn't exist.

Why would a jeweler make something that nobody in the world can afford?

Because the old King asked him to and then he dropped dead of the pox before he could pay for it.

[Sighs] Is that your foot or a slab of ice?

Get it off me.

I'm going to break into the Queen's private apartments... the rooms where the public can't go, the place where she really lives, in her room studded with rubies.

I bet she keeps her secret jewel collection under her bed.

You'll never get past the guard.

[Scoffs] Oh, please.

We'll leave at dawn.

Oh.

One of these days, Jeanne, you'll go too far.

♪ [Distant church bells ringing] ♪ Yolande: Antoinette!

♪ I was cruel.

I'm sorry.

♪ I have given you everything, and you can't even give me your friendship.

I have a good mind to dismiss you.

I was upset, all right?

Vaudreuil and Jules have gone.

They left last night during the party.

They've gone to Saint Domingue to escape Vaudreuil's debt.

♪ What happened?

He gambled everything.

His inheritance, all of our pensions.

If he'd stayed, he'd have gambled away our income from the new duchy as well.

Antoinette...

I'm sorry I misspoke.

I deserve your anger, and I understand if you wish to dismiss me.

♪ I could never let you go.

Antoinette, I am so glad to be your friend.

[Whispers] I'm so glad.

♪ But I can't be your everything.

You can.

I can't.

You can.

No, I can't.

There's only one person who can be.

And he's not here, but he will be soon.

♪ I just heard Captain Fersen's regiment set sail from the Caribbean two months ago.

♪ Your Swedish soldier is coming home.

♪ Woman: Where were you last night?

Louis: I heard it was delightful.

Oh, it was delightful.

[Groans] Oh, my God!

What's going on?

My God!

Please help this man.

Is he drunk?

Go fetch a doctor!

No, he's not--help me!

Help!

[Gagging] He's possessed!

The Devil's within him.

Guards!

Guards!

Guard: Leave the man alone.

[Gagging] Just breathe.

What should I do?

Go fetch a doctor!

Jeanne: Yes.

Yes, straightaway.

Man: You're going to be OK. Help is coming.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [Footsteps approaching] ♪ ♪ ♪ No.

No.

No, no, no.

No!

No!

♪ [Closes window] [Indistinct chatter] ♪ It's not like the rest of Versailles.

The apartments are so small and peaceful, and I found the Queen's day room straightaway.

Were the walls made of rubies?

No.

No, but I got some writing paper, a metal bird that sings, and...this.

The jeweler's drawing of the diamond necklace.

It does exist!

[Chuckles] Countess de Valois!

Oh, crap.

Smile.

Mm-hmm.

Madame Victoire, may I present Father Loth, a tireless supporter of the poor fallen women.

Madam.

Your problem is that no one here gives without getting something in return.

I've been thinking, perhaps, if you had an important patroness, courtiers would donate to gain her favor.

♪ You're so clever.

[Chuckles] But where would I find this patroness?

The Queen often supports risqué causes.

Write to her and ask.

What a wonderful idea.

Mm-hmm.

[Chuckles] A small donation to the cause.

♪ [Footsteps depart, coins rattle] To Fersen?

But--[scoffs]-- everything you send is intercepted.

Yes, that's why I don't send them, and I--I write them in lemon juice and I keep them in my drawer!

If your liaison with Fersen ever comes to light-- What liaison?

I haven't seen him since--since... Louis sent him to war three years ago.

Please, just find the thief... and the letters.

They make me look... [Sighs] Well, does anyone else know about the letters?

Of course not.

Not even Yolande?

No.

[Footsteps depart, door opens] Breteuil: Go ahead in.

[Footsteps approach] ♪ Tell Yo--[winces]-- tell Yolande to come immediately.

[Footsteps depart, door opens] [Sighs] Idiot.

[Indistinct chatter, laughter] Beaumarchais: So, to misquote Figaro, I had the audacity to write a comedy, but the censor didn't find it funny... [All boo] Fair enough.

Fair enough.

But with thanks to you, dear Duke, and your industrious printing presses, my little play can find an audience.

So, a toast to Figaro, to the Duke of Chartres, and to the fabulous and free Palais Royal!

All: Cheers, cheers!

[Applause] What's going on?

Small gathering.

Provence: What's Lafayette doing here?

[Woman laughs] And Saint-George?

I thought we were rid of him.

My father brought him back from London to be head of music at our court.

Oh, God, they're coming over.

Felicité: Provence, we've been having a little political debate.

Of course you have.

Which regime is more enlightened?

American democracy?

Or British constitutional monarchy?

London is the most liberal city in the world.

Well, if it's such a Utopia, you should **** off back there.

Oh.

There is no finer system than divine monarchy.

Our problem is the imbecile on the throne.

Felicité: And we can't get rid of him unless we follow England's example and chop off his head.

[Scattered chuckling] [Whispering] Be careful of the company you keep.

You may be out on a limb, but you are not out of reach.

Felicité: Heh!

♪ Good riddance.

Now Beaumarchais and I can tell you our great idea.

We are going to persuade Louis to allow a performance of Figaro.

May I volunteer for a part?

Why would a King approve a play in which the lower orders conspire against their social superiors?

Because he's a fool, with a wife who adores the theater.

She might even be persuaded to take the starring role.

You, my love, are beyond despicable.

♪ Yolande: Again, here is the plan.

The King visits his children every evening, and tonight, when he leaves, he will find you in the corridor.

Yeah, and what will I be doing?

I don't know.

Something normal.

I'll pretend to be surprised to see you, I will introduce you to the King, and that's your chance to sell yourself as his new financial controller.

Can I just-- Shh!

[Whispers] Just don't screw up.

Ready?

Born ready.

[Door opens] She's not available?

What does she mean, she's not available?

And another one's coming in to join the battle.

[Chuckles] [Cleaning up toys] [Sighs] It is her job to be available.

Where is she?

Where is she?

Where is she?!

[Door slams] Marie: No.

Woman: Your Majesty-- Man: Your Highness-- Marie: No!

A minute-- Three minutes!

Just leave me alone!

[Gasping] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Ah... [Inhales sharply] Aah!

[Grunting] [Sobs] Help!

[Breathing heavily] [Groans] [Sniffles] No, no, no, no.

♪ [Whimpers] ♪ Help.

Oh, my-- ♪ [Breathing heavily] ♪ Thank you, Governess.

Of course.

It's no problem at all.

♪ Your Majesty.

♪ Hm.

Am I--am I supposed to pick one?

If you'd like to, but I won't be able to guess it.

I'm not a magician.

Just clumsy.

Hmm.

At least you're honest.

Majesty, may I present Alexandre de Calonne, Count of Hannonville.

I recently returned from Lille.

I was honored to serve there as Your Majesty's intendant.

♪ Lille?

[Distant groan] Louis: You--you raised revenue there?

♪ Well, perhaps you are a magician after all.

Calonne: A financier and a conjurer have something in common-- both produce solutions through distraction and concealment.

♪ And, uh... is--is concealment wrong?

[Distant sob] Calonne: In my opinion, when it comes to financial markets, optimism is essential... [Door creaking] even if illusory.

[Door closes] ♪ Walk with me.

Duchess, join us.

♪ [Footsteps depart] ♪ ♪ Antoinette?

Antoinette!

Antoinette?

No, no.

Help!

Help!

♪ Calonne: We stand astride the twin peaks of the productivity of our land and international trade, but commerce is still the tiger to be tamed.

The housewife need only balance her income and expenditure.

A finance minister must create growth.

Hmm.

Please, refill your glass.

[Quietly] He is talented, but close to the Polignacs.

It will make him an unpopular choice.

I could live with that.

[Knock on door, door opens] Your Majesty, it's the Queen.

It's urgent.

♪ ♪ They-they said it was a little girl.

Madame Royale wanted a sister.

Louis: What matters most now is the Queen's recovery.

She--she will need you.

I won't leave her side.

♪ ♪ I saw you.

If she-- If she dies from this... you will be her killer.

What on earth are you talking about?

You left her bleeding in a corridor no one ever uses.

Whatever you think you saw, you're mistaken.

[Whispers] You liar!

[Whispers] Tell her, then.

See who she believes, you or me.

[Whispers] I will never...forget tonight or your part in it.

And one day, when the time is right, I will tell her.

And she will believe me.

♪ [Door opens] Louis: Take a seat.

I'm so sorry to hear about the Queen's ill health-- I read your report from Lille this morning.

Very impressive.

I will be announcing your appointment immediately.

Vergennes, please escort the financial controller to his office and give him all the information he needs.

Thank you, Majesty.

You should thank the Duchess de Polignac.

Do tell her that her plan worked.

Sire, I... She wouldn't have put you forward if you weren't right for the job.

The court may doubt her motives, but I do not.

The finance room.

[Door closes] ♪ Ah, yes, a keepsake from the Sultan.

♪ You're acquainted with this work?

Calonne: It's a classic.

Mr. Necker was our finest chancellor.

He took us through a four-year war without raising taxes and came out the other side with the economy running a surplus.

Necker lied.

He funded the war through secret loans that have left us with 110 million livres of debt.

But the surplus?

No, no.

He made it up.

Every penny France generates is spent on interest payments, and so we borrow more for essentials, and the interest grows.

It's a vicious, vicious circle.

Who knows?

Him, the King, me, and now you.

Obviously, we must keep this whole mess a secret.

If it were ever to get out... France is sunk.

But you are our life raft.

Again, congratulations.

♪ [Birdsong] Villette: I've been thinking.

Oh, dear.

That donation's enough to get us started in the countryside.

We could have a good life there.

Hmm, and a better one in Versailles if we had the diamond necklace.

Oh, you're obsessed.

Where is your ambition?

I should have left you where I found you, renting yourself out to the lowest bidder in the cheapest bar on the Rue de Damiette.

You don't even know where the necklace is.

I do.

It was at Versailles, but the Queen didn't buy it.

Now it's under armed guard in Boehmer's vaults until he finds another buyer.

Marie Antoinette is the only person who can afford it, and she doesn't even want it.

How does anyone know what she wants?

She's either at the Petit Trianon or hiding in her private apartments or squirting out babies.

Only a handful of people ever speak to her, let alone know her desires... or her... shopping habits.

♪ That's how we steal the necklace.

We tell the jeweler that the Queen wants to buy it.

And...even if we're caught, she'll take the blame.

You're making no sense, no--well, oh, come on.

Where are you going?

I need to buy ink.

I'm going to have to get you to forge testimonials, documents.

I--I don't understand.

You don't have to, not yet.

Just enjoy the ride.

[Door closes] ♪ [Birdsong] ♪ Why didn't you come to me when I was bleeding?

No one fetched me.

They shouldn't have had to.

Your place is at my side, always.

♪ I was looking for you.

♪ My secret letters were stolen.

♪ Me?

♪ [Gasps] Antoinette, I-- I would never do such a spiteful thing.

Your letters are your happiness.

I couldn't.

♪ ♪ At least it wasn't a boy.

A girl would have been my friend.

[Sighs] I need all of those I can get.

♪ Well, Fersen will be here soon.

That's something to look forward to.

♪ ♪ ♪ The DVD version of this program is available online and in stores.

This program is also available with PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video ♪