Chapter 2: Basking in the Seat of Glory, Part 1

TRANSLATION BEGINS

< p.197: title page >
< p.198 >
Fersen:	Young man? Just by looks I'd say you're one yourself. [ snaps fingers ] It's common courtesy to say your own name before asking others about theirs.
< p.199 >
Oscar:	Oscar François de Jarjayes, Captain of the Palace Guards of France.
Fersen:	Ha ha. Of course, only a Palace Guard would act so serious. I am Hans Axel von Fersen from Sweden. My title is Count. As a foreign student, I have no rank until I return home.
Oscar:	Very well, von Fersen. If you wish to speak with this lady, come to the court of Versailles to request an audience. This is Her Highness the Crown Princess of France, Marie Antoinette.
< p.200 >
Fersen:	My God!
Oscar:	Madame! Take Her Highness to the audience seats. People seemed to have recognized our Lady and started making a fuss.
Maid:	Yes, Monsieur Oscar.
< p.201 >
Fersen:	{{ She is Her Highness, the Crown Princess? I wouldn't have guessed. }}
Antoinette:	{{ Hans Axel von Fersen. Fersen ... }}
[ In the Palace ]
Noailles and Mercy:	[ chide chide ... nag nag ... ]
< p.202 >
Antoinette:	Oscar! Phew! Count Mercy and Countess Noailles almost chewed me out. But don't worry, you won't be blamed for this.
Servant:	Your Highness, a young Swedish man called Fersen has requested an audience.
Oscar:	{{ Ha! So he did come after all. }}
Antoinette:	Oh ... well then, show him to my room.
Servant:	Yes, Your Highness.
< p.203 >
[ Antoinette greets Fersen. ]
# At that moment, a brief flicker passed between the eyes of the two young 18-year-olds. What could it be? # Without their knowledge, the stage had been set for the first scene of the greatest love in history -- the love between the most beautiful woman of Versailles, the Queen who only feared the boredom of her rank, and the handsome, gallant knight of Scandinavia.
< p.204 >
# At various balls in Versailles, Fersen was warmly received by high society as their favorite among the foreign expatriates. As a calm, discreet man of few words, he was always cheerful and compassionate towards others. According to rumors, the handsome Fersen received flowers from numerous young lady admirers of the court. Even among the married women there were many who sent him passionate love letters.
< p.205 >
Oscar:	André, have you noticed any change in Lady Antoinette's manners lately?
André:	Lady Antoinette? Why, no. She seems as playful as ever. I heard from Count Noailles that she's always laughing and dancing.
Oscar:	[ heh heh ] Is that right? If you haven't noticed it, then I don't need to worry. Not yet, anyway.
André:	You mean, the guy called Fersen?
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette is among those rare few in Versailles who show their true feelings in public. I wonder how dangerous this would become for her.
< p.206 >
Oscar:	She always pursues whatever she wants without much thought, blatantly ignoring the customs and etiquette of the court. Could this situation be good for her?
André:	Ha! What a sharp wit! It must be your woman's intuition!
Oscar:	[ glare ] André, why don't you stay near Her Highness and keep an eye on things? It's better to guard the gossips now than later.
André:	Okay. I will.
[ In Antoinette's room ]
Noailles:	[ flabbergasted ] Did ... did you say horse? Wh- wh- what nonsense! No no! What if something happened on the way? Please control yourself!
< p.207 >
Antoinette:	Why am I the only one who can't ride horses?
Noailles:	[ Nooo! ] I beg you to consider your rank! What would France become if something were to happen to our future Queen?
Louis Auguste:	All right, all right, Countess Noailles. How about having Oscar and André accompany her? Just let her have a little ...
Noailles:	Your Highness is spoiling Lady Antoinette!
Oscar:	Very well. André, bring a horse over!
Antoinette:	[ tee hee ... tee hee ... ]
< p.208 >
André:	Please hold onto the lower part of the reins. Pull it towards you to stop the horse. And remember, never kick its flanks.
Antoinette:	Thanks, André.
André:	[ trips over stones: clunk ] [ knocks elbow against the horse's side: wham ] Yikes!
Antoinette:	Oh my God!
[ horse: neigh .... ]
< p.209 >
[ gallop gallop ... ]
Antoinette:	[ screech ... ]
All:	Oh my God!
Oscar:	Damn it! Your Highness! [ jumps onto horse ]
< p.210 >
Oscar:	[ bump bump ... ] Over there!
[ gallop gallop ... ]
Antoinette:	Help! Please, somebody help me! Oscar! Help me! Help meee!
< p.211 >
Oscar:	Your Highness! Please, oh please, hold onto the reins until I reach you!
[ gallop gallop ... ]
Antoinette:	Oscaaarrr!
[ leap leap ... ] [ approaching a cliff ]
< pp.212-213 >
Oscar:	Oh no, there's a cliff ahead! I don't have time to stop the horses! Your Highness! Please close your eyes!
Antoinette:	Oscar!
Oscar:	Here I come! [ jumps over to grab Antoinette ]
< p.214 >
[ tumble! ] [ Oscar and Antoinette fall onto the ground. ]
< p.215 >
[ At the Court ]
Louis XV:	André, are you prepared to assume the responsibility for causing such a disaster? The Crown Princess has been hurt! Even though it's an accident, you will not be exempted from death! Arrest André!
Oscar:	Please wait!
< p.216 >
Oscar:	Please wait ... Countess Noaille, Count Mercy, Your Highness, Count Fersen, and the rest of you! All of you must have seen it. It is an accident, so André is not at fault. If ... if you must punish André for this matter ...
< p.217 >
Oscar:	I'd like to request a formal trial in the name of Jarjayes. As his master, André's responsibilities are mine as well. You will have to take my life first!
André:	Oscar!
Fersen:	And mine too. I beg you, your Majesty.
Oscar:	Fersen!
Fersen:	It's not André's fault. I too can die for justice, Oscar!
Oscar:	Fersen!
< p.218 >
Antoinette:	Your Majesty!
Oscar and Fersen:	Your Highness!
Antoinette:	Your Majesty! Oh, I beg you ... please, do not punish anyone. I am the one at fault. It's all because of my selfishness. André! Oscar! Fersen! Don't worry, the King is a very compassionate man. Oh, how could any one of you die because of me? No one is at fault. You're dismissed. Go!

< p.219 >
Louis XV:	Fine. As the Crown Princess wishes, I'll withdraw the punishment just for this case.
André:	[ sob sob ]
Louis XV:	André, you have a very good master.
André:	Your Majesty ...
Oscar:	I thank you with all my heart. I shall never forget my debt to you. [ plop! ]
Fersen:	Oscar? Oh my, Oscar!
< p.220 >
[ At Oscar's bedroom ]
Voices:	Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!
[ Oscar wakes up. ]
Fersen:	Oscar?
André:	Oh, you woke up!
< p.221 >
Granny:	[ sniff sniff ... ] Oh, Lady Oscar!
Oscar:	André ... Aren't you lucky. You are the only one who didn't get his head chopped off for causing harm to the Royalty. [ ha ha ha ... ] In the old days, they would have tortured you with hot irons and boiling water, then threw you under the horses. * * AJL: lit. have their bodies dismembered by horse carriages. Horse carriage punishment = tying a person's hands and feet to two carriages, then having the horses run in opposite directions.
André:	{{ Oscar! }}
Oscar:	Now look, don't flatter yourself. Listen, I didn't do this for you. It's for Granny.
< p.222 >
Oscar:	At her age, if she sees her only grandson die before her, there will be two funerals at the Jarjayes house.
Granny:	[ wail ... ] Lady Oscar! Oh Lady Oscar!
Oscar:	Ah, don't cry, Granny, don't cry. You'll become shriveled if you cry so easily at your old age.
Granny:	Who are you calling old? I, I'm crying in frustration! Honestly!
Oscar:	[ ha ha ... ]
André:	{{ Oscar, I will gladly give up my life for you someday ... }}
< p.223 >
André:	{{ Just as you risked your life for me today ... Someday I will risk my life for you! }}
Oscar:	Where is Mother?
Granny:	Oh, the Madame is taking care of Lady Antoinette.
Oscar:	I see.
Granny:	You were a bit bruised from falling off the horse with Lady Antoinette in your arms. Please rest for a while. Now let's replace the wet compress. André, leave the room with Sir Fersen.
André:	Oh!
< p.224 >
Fersen:	Oh come on, why put on such airs? Don't tell me your family forbids their men to undress in front of other men!
Granny:	[ thud! ] How dare you ... call our lady ... ! [ Get out! ]
Fersen:	[ Oh my! ] [ huff huff huff ... ] So ... that guy is a woman!
< p.225 >
Fersen:	{{ No wonder ... his features are so delicate ... his frame so slight ... Still, what a woman she is! Oscar ... }}
Antoinette:	Countess Noailles, that Swedish fellow hasn't been coming to Versailles lately, has he.
< p.226 >
Noailles:	Well, he's still a student, so he's probably busy with lots of things.
Antoinette:	Oh ... I see.
Mercy:	Your Highness, the general audience is about to begin. Please come to the Hall of Mirrors.
Antoinette:	Count Mercy, tell His Majesty that I'm not in the mood for it today and shall retire to my room. And tell His Highness too.
Mercy:	Lady Antoinette!
< p.227 >
Noailles:	That's right. Lady Antoinette ...
[ Oscar walks by and overhears the conversation. ]
Noailles:	has even neglected calling on the powerful Princes and their families, who are just as powerful as the royal family!
Mercy:	Uh-huh ... Uh-huh ...
Noailles:	And she skips out of concerts too ... Now all she does is hold court with young, free-spirited people without proper ranks. Oh yeah, she's especially attentive towards that young Swedish fellow called Fersen.
Mercy:	[ Ha ha ... ] Oh goodness, Countess Noailles, you're really worrying too much!
Noailles:	Why, aren't you taking it lightly, Count Mercy!
< p.228 >
# It happened on April 27, 1774. While out hunting, King Louis XV was suddenly overcome with fatigue and, suffering from severe headache, took to bed in the Grand Trianon in the gardens of Versailles. The next morning he was transfered to the Palace of Versailles.
< p.229 >
Antoinette:	Did you say ... His Majesty is ill?
Dubarry:	His Majesty?
# In the Palace of Versailles, there were promptly assembled a team of 14 physicians -- six internists, five surgeons, and three apothecaries. As each examined the King, the entire palace remained tense and anxious, with courtiers bustling about in confusion.
< p.230 >
Servant:	Here come Princess Adélaïde, Princess Victoire, Princess Sophie, His Highness, Her Highness, Count Artois, Count Provence, and Princess Elisabeth.
Adélaïde:	How is His Majesty's condition? What is his illness?
Servant:	We ... don't know. We really have no idea. The physicians are trying their best to make a diagnosis.
Louis XV:	[ groan ... moan ... ]
Dubarry:	Your Majesty! Oh dear, Your Majesty must be in pain. Please, oh please, keep up your strength!
< p.231 >
Antoinette:	{{ Mme. de Dubarry ... }}
Dubarry:	{{ His Majesty will get well soon ... Oh yes, he's tired, that's all. He ... he shouldn't die just like that. Oh God, there's still so many things I want ... }}
Louis XV:	[ Aargh ... ! ]
Physician:	Servant, dim the candles a bit. The patients' eyes are quite sensitive to light.
Servant:	Yes, doctor.
< p.232 >
Servant:	[ blows out candles: puff ] [ knocks over candlestick by the King's bed: clink ... ] Oh no!
Louis XV:	[ huff huff ... ]
Servant:	[ looks at the King's face: Ah! ] Oh my God! This is ... Doctor, come over here! Hurry!
Physicians:	What? [ see the King's face ] Oh dear ... these red spots could only mean ... mean ...
< p.233 >
Physicians:	Small pox! It's small pox!
# Small pox: As a malignant contagious disease, the small pox virus causes rash to break out all over the body. The rash then turns into sores and induces hemorrhage and high fever, resulting in a painful death. This disease was a leading cause of death in the world before the invention of vaccines.
Physicians:	Hear hear! His Majesty has small pox! Your Highness the Crown Prince! The Crown Princess! Please leave the room at once! The disease is dreadfully contagious! The heirs to the throne are at risk for infection!

< p.234 >
Antoinette:	Did you say ... small pox? Oh dear, could it be ...
Louis Auguste:	Then ... His Majesty will ...
# Had time finally come for the transfer of power from the older to younger generation? By customs, to avoid risk of infection, Marie Antoinette waited anxiously in the room farthest from the King's sick bed.
Antoinette:	{{ What if Louis XV were to die ... }}
< p.235 >
The three aunts:	{{ If he doesn't get well ... }}
Dubarry:	If you don't recover, what will become of me?
# Horribly bloated, the King's body seemed to be decomposing while he lived. Finally, at the dawn of May 7, the physicians recognized the case as hopeless and left the sick bed.
Louis XV:	Is this ... the end of me? I want to ... make a confession ... to the cardinal ...
Cardinal:	If the King truly wishes to receive God's pardon and summon in his final hour, he must prove it by ...
< p.236 >
Cardinal:	First dismissing the woman who defied Christ's teachings and brought disgrace to God! Banish your mistress Mme. de Dubarry from Versailles!
# Thus, in a run-down, rented carriage, Mme. de Dubarry was sent off to Rueil, a small town to the west of Paris. Years later she would end up at the convent of Pont-Aux-Dames as a state prisoner. # Under the protection of King's love, she snatched away all of the people's tax money and spent to her heart's desire. The extravagant mistress ....
< p.237 >
# even made the Crown Princess concede to her authority ... But it was the end for Mme. de Dubarry. # At 6 p.m., the last rites and confession hearing were administered for the dying King. It was the final meeting between the King and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Louis Auguste:	[ cough cough ... ]
Antoinette:	Your Highness?
Louis Auguste:	[ tremble tremble ]
< p.238 >
Louis Auguste:	Oh dear ... the entire world seems to be falling on us ... I ... I'm only 19 ... yet soon I will become the King and rule the country ... What an important task ...
# At last, at 3:15 p.m. of May 10, 1774, the King's final struggle was over. Bloated, black and decomposed beyond recognition, Louis XV the King of France passed away.
< p.239 >
[ clamor ... ]
Courtiers:	The King is dead! The King is dead!
Antoinette:	What ... was that noise ... Your Highness?
[ door opens: bang! ]
Antoinette:	Countess Noailles?
< p.240 >
Noailles:	The King is dead! Long live the King! King Louis XVI!
Courtiers:	[ cheers .. ]
< p.241 >
Noailles:	Congratulations, Lady Antoinette. Now you are our Queen of France, Your Majesty.
Antoinette:	{{ Oh ... at last ... Grandpa died ... }} Your Highness!
Louis Auguste:	Oh ...
< p.242 >
Louis Auguste:	Dear God ... please protect us ... for we are too young to reign ... Oh God ...
[ gun salutes: bang bang ... ]
All:	Long live the King! Long live His Majesty Louis XV! Long live the Queen!
< p.243 >
# The old era had passed on. Now came the time for the youthful 19-year-old King and 18-year-old Queen! Excited about what was to come, the French people welcomed the pair enthusiastically.
Rosalie:	Mom! Mom! There is a new King! At last Lady Antoinette has become Queen!
Nicole:	Oh my ... at last ...
Rosalie:	Isn't this great! Our new King is a young, dilligent man with good sense. Now with the lower prices, surely our lives would be easier! Mom, get well soon. You still have many years ahead of you!
< p.244 >
Nicole:	Rosalie ... how was Jeanne? How is she doing?
Rosalie:	So ... you knew ... I went to see Jeanne ... She seemed to be doing well ... Um, she treated me very nicely and asked about your health. Now she looks so happy, as lovely as a princess ...
Nicole:	Forgive me, Rosalie ... It's you who is the real ... [ cough cough ] Oh ... forgive ... me ...
Rosalie:	Mom!
< p.245 >
Crowd:	Louis XV is dead! Hmpf, that old lecher wasted all of our taxes on his mistress! [ yay! ha ha ... ] A toast to the new King! Cheers!
Nicholas:	So you're here, Jeanne!
Jeanne:	{{ Louis XV is dead ... At last, a new era has begun! Our era ... yes, our era ... }} [ turns head ] Nicholas! Do you really want to marry me?
Nicholas:	Jeanne!
< p.246 >
Nicholas:	Gosh, I thought I was never going to hear those words! Aren't you a lovely devil for torturing me so, Jeanne dear!
Jeanne:	[ heh heh ... ] Say, how about becoming the devil's assistant and help me steal the fortunes of Marquise de Boulainvilliers?
Nicholas:	Jeanne!
Jeanne:	[ hee hee ... ] There's clever guy called Rétaux who can fake signatures really well. He'll even write up a fake will with anything we want, Nicholas.
Nicholas:	Why, Jeanne!
< p.247 >
# Along the streets, portraits of the new King and Queen were displayed on every shop window and medallion. The entire Europe was basking in the joy of the new era. # Meanwhile, in the late night, the coffin of the late King Louis XV was transported to the cathedral of Saint Denis for burial. The procession consisted of only 40 Palace Guards and 36 attendants.
< p.248 >
Antoinette:	[ in letter to Maria Theresa ] Dear Mother, Was it God's will that I would be born to occupy the rank of the Queen? I cannot but marvel at the grace of God, thanks to which I, the youngest of your children, have been chosen to reign over the finest realm in Europe.
Maria Theresa:	[ pat ] {{ My dear child, you still don't know how to disguise your feelings. Nor do you like to think seriously about things, only looking to be amused all day. Oh dear ... }}
< p.249 >
Maria Theresa:	{{ My girl is slowly becoming a woman ... Oh, how I wish she could resist the temptation of luxury and rise to her duty as the Queen ... Don't forget, Marie ... The happiness of your people leads to your true happiness as the Queen. Do your best to make your people happy ... }} [ writes letter to Count Mercy ] My faithful servant, Count Mercy ... Do watch over the young Queen for me. Yet ... yet ... I believe her most beautiful days are past.
< p.250 >
# On June 11, 1775, the coronation of Louis XVI was performed at the cathedral of Reims.
Antoinette:	{{ Oh my ... this was covered in my old French history books ... He's posing the same way as those in illustrations of past Kings! How lovely! }}
< p.251 >
# Following the coronation, en route back to Versailles, the King's procession stopped by the College of Louis le Grand for congratulatory speeches.
Louis XVI:	Who was that pale student who just recited in Latin?
Courtier:	Maxmilien de Robespierre, from the department of law, Your Majesty.
# Robespierre ... the man who would later become the most progressive leader of the French Revolution! At the time, he was still quite young.

< p.252 >
[ horses: tap tap ... ]
Oscar:	[ knock knock ]
Servant:	[ Ah! ] Sir Fersen, Monsieur Oscar François has asked to see you.
Fersen:	Who? Oscar?
< p.253 >
Oscar:	Fersen, I've come to offer you some advice.
Fersen:	I see ... Well then, go ahead ...
Oscar:	Then I'll get straight to the point. I think it'd be better if you leave the country and return to Sweden immediately.
< p.254 >
Fersen:	Is this ... about Lady Antoinette ... Has someone been spreading malicious rumors about us?
Oscar:	Not yet. But I have sensed it, and so has Countess Noailles.
Fersen:	I see your point now. Lady Antoinette showed a bit too much interest in me. She was just too kind ...
Oscar:	When she was still the Crown Princess, people cared less about who she befriended and what she did, so she could get away with behaving like a child. But now things are different!
< p.255 >
Oscar:	Now she is the Queen of France! Fersen, why don't you go back to Sweden for a while? With the way things are now, I can't say that you won't be in any danger.
Fersen:	Oscar ... that's what I was going to do anyway. Just for a while ... until the entire court forgets about me ... But ... Lady Antoinette is so beautiful!
< p.256 >
Fersen:	Oscar.
Oscar:	Yeah?
Fersen:	Do you ever feel lonely ... disguising your feminine self ... and spending your youth without knowing what makes a woman happy?
Oscar:	[ heh heh ] I was born to carry on my father General Jarjayes' legacy. Since then I was raised as a man. I've never considered it unnatural, nor have I felt lonely.
< p.257 >
Fersen:	Heh heh ... Oscar, someday ... we'll meet again ... surely we will ...
# Thus, Hans Axel von Fersen left France and began his journey back to Sweden. It would be four long years before he would step on French soil again.
< p.258 >
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette, Count Fersen left for his homeland Sweden last night.
Antoinette:	Oh, I see ... But why, so sudden ... {{ Oh dear ... what's wrong with me ... Why .... do I feel a sudden emptiness in my heart ... Could this be ... loneliness? Oh Fersen ... why have you left so suddenly without even telling me ... }}
< p.259 >
[ Oscar and André practice sword fights. ]
Oscar and André:	Ha! [ thrust ] [ deflect ] Ha! Go!
[ sword flies into air and falls: clang! thud! ]
Oscar:	[ Phew! ] Not bad, André. Your swordsmanship is getting awfully good.
André:	[ grunt ... ] Don't you gloat just yet! You're not going to beat me just by speed!
General Jarjayes:	Oscar! Oscar, where are you?
Oscar:	It's Father. Why, he seemed a bit scattered.
< p.260 >
General Jarjayes:	Ah! Here you are, Oscar. Go get dressed and pay a visit to Lady Antoinette now!
Oscar:	Why, Father ...
General Jarjayes:	Congrats, Oscar! You've been promoted to the Commander of the Palace Guards, and the rank of Colonel as well! I heard the first thing Lady Antoinette did after becoming the Queen was to ask the King for your promotion!
Oscar:	Commander of the Palace Guards!
[ At the Palace ]
Antoinette:	Thank you for your dedicated service, Oscar. Now, as the Commander of the Palace Guards, you shall find yourself employed in a more intimate role as my escort. Your pension and salary will be adjusted accordingly.
< p.261 >
Oscar:	I am deeply honored to be awarded such a service at my tender age of 19. However ... at the present, the finances of our country are not under the best circumstances. Therefore, I beg you to keep my salary as is. Otherwise I will not be able to accept the promotion.
Antoinette:	Oscar ... All right, Oscar ... But ... if there is something you want, feel free to tell me. Be it the highest rank, horses, attendants, or castles! I'd be happy to give you anything you want! Tell me, my dear Oscar, what would make you happy?
< p.262 >
Oscar:	I wish to see Lady Antoinette become a great Queen. That's all, Your Majesty.
[ At the Jarjayes house ]
Granny:	Oh my! It's splendid! How gallant you look! Even a woman like me would fall for you!
Servant:	Monsieur Oscar, the Palace has just sent numerous gifts as offer of congratulations.
Oscar:	How kind of them, but I cannot accept the gifts. Refuse their offer with due courtesy.
< p.263 >
Granny:	But why, Lady Oscar? How could you refuse gifts from Her Majesty!
Oscar:	It's for her own good! Lady Antoinette acts as she feels, never hiding her kindness towards those she likes ... Especially now, with all the rank and authority she has ... But all the money Lady Antoinette is using comes from the people's taxes ... Frankly, I find Lady Antoinette's candor frightening. I wonder what our people think of Lady Antoinette.
André:	Don't be silly! Why, it's for your dedicated efforts! And don't the people love their Queen? [ ha ha ... ]
Oscar:	I hope ... you're right ....

< p.264 >
Courtier:	Your Majesty, this man is a baron who is seeking the post of court secretary. Then there's the man called Denurie who wishes to serve as the Director General of the navy. Would Your Majesty kindly recommend him to ...
Antoinette:	All right. Don't worry, His Majesty always follow my suggestions. [ hee hee ... ]
Courtier:	Thank you for your assistance, Your Majesty.
Mercy:	Lady Antoinette, how could you assign posts so freely without asking about the candidates' experience?
Antoinette:	Hee hee ... Count Mercy, you are such a worry wart! Don't worry, I'm not a child any more. As the Queen of France, I can handle things very well on my own.
< p.265 >
Antoinette:	Hey, I'm done with errands! Now let's get on with our play! Madame, you'll be Medusa. [ chit chat ... ]
Mercy:	{{ Oh my, how silly! Who said she's no longer a child! }}
Antoinette:	{{ How lovely! Oh yes! Now no one can tell me what to do! I can stay out all night at masked balls, watch horse races and operas, buy jewelries, appoint ministers, do anything I want! }}
[ In the streets of Paris ]
Rosalie:	Please! I'll do anything, peel potato skins or whatever.
Shopkeeper:	I said no! We already have enough staff!
< p.266 >
Rosalie:	{{ Was I too optimistic? I thought things would be a bit easier with the new era. But business is still so bad everywhere ... I'm hungry ... Oh God! I'll do anything! Please give me a job! }} [ crash! ]
Mirabeau:	Ouch! Hey, watch where you're going! [ grunt curse ... ]
Rosalie:	I'm very sorry, Monsieur. Please forgive me ...
< p.267 >
Mirabeau:	[ Hmm ... ] Eh ... wow! Aren't you a lovely wild violet! [ perk ] Or are you a white lily of the valley! You look great in this dress! Man, aren't you a piece of jewel! Come to my house for the night, won't ya? I'll give you lots of money!
Rosalie:	[ slap ] Let me go!
Mirabeau:	[ what ... ] Darn it! Who'd have guessed you're so saucy!
Servant:	Monsieur Mirabeau! Please take a bit better care of yourself! Just last night you were with the opera singer ... [ mutter ... ]
Mirabeau:	Oh, she was nothing. The dancer before her was much better. [ grunt ]
Rosalie:	[ flashback ] {{ Come to my house for the night, won't ya? I'll give you lots of money! }}
< p.268 >
Rosalie:	{{ Lots of money ... money ... }} But ... I ... [ sweat ] But ... darn it! [ sob ] Mo- money ... If I could get money ... }}
[ carriage: teeter totter ]
Oscar:	André, wasn't the guy we just saw Count Mirabeau?
André:	Who? You mean that reckless lecher?
Oscar:	He's one of those men who indulge in wine and women and take heavy loans ... But he seems to have some sort of formidable strength. Could it be his face? Somehow I've a feeling he's up to something.
< p.269 >
[ carriage: teeter totter ]
Rosalie:	Um ... Monsieur ... [ shiver ... ] Please ... buy me ... for one night ...
Oscar:	[ flabbergasted ]
Rosalie:	[ shiver shiver ... ]
Oscar:	Tee hee ...
< p.270 >
Oscar:	[ ha ha ha ... wa ha ha ... ] Man, she's incredible! Come on now, take a good look! I'm a woman too. How could I buy you?
Rosalie:	You are ... !? How ... could ... this ... be ... [ gulp ... sob sob ... ]
< p.271 >
Oscar:	Well well, look what a cute prostitute we have here! [ heh heh ... ] Miss! What's your name? Why did you do something so silly?
Rosalie:	Rosalie ... My mom is sick, and I can't find a job ... We'd go hungry every day if I don't ...
Oscar:	André, could I borrow 1 livre?
André:	Huh?
Oscar:	Your name is Rosalie, right? Here, take this. Don't do this again, okay?
Rosalie:	Wow! 1 gold livre! * I've never seen so much money before! * # About 12,000 Yen (AJL: the exchange rate in 1970s)
< p.272 >
[ carriage: teeter totter ... ]
Rosalie:	Er ... what's your name ... hey ...
André:	Oscar.
Oscar:	Yeah?
André:	Don't you even have 1 livre with you?
Oscar:	I try not to carry that much money around. Don't you know what the finances in our country are like? {{ But she's so young ... I wouldn't have guessed ... What has our country become? Even a girl so young has to ... }}
Rosalie:	{{ It's embarassing to accept alms but ... but I'm so happy! Just this will keep us for a while ... and our neighbor Pierre too ... }}
< p.273 >
Rosalie:	{{ Gosh, I didn't ask for her name. I'd love to see her again someday and thank her. }}
Pierre:	[ howl ... ]
Rosalie:	What? Who is crying? Could it be Pierre?
Crowd:	[ clamor ] What's going on? I heard he stole some money from some Prince's carriage.
Rosalie:	{{ So it's him! }}
Woman:	I beg you ... kind Prince! My child didn't know what he was doing. Please forgive him ... He hasn't had a bite to eat for two days ... Please spare him ... I beg you ...
< p.274 >
Guéméné:	Hmm ... Fine ... get out of here!
Woman:	Oh ... thank you, Prince! Thank you!
Rosalie:	[ Phew! ]
Guéméné:	[ turn ] Heh heh ... [ bang! ]
< p.275 >
Rosalie:	[ Oh my ... ]
Crowd:	[ Oh my God! Gracious! Screech! ]
Guéméné:	Heh heh ...
Woman:	Pierre! Oh Pierre! Pierre-----!
Guéméné:	Ha ha ha ... Ha ha ha ...
[ carriage: teeter totter ... ]
Rosalie:	[ Oh dear ... ]
Oscar:	Damn! Grrr ...
André:	Stop it, Oscar! That guy is a Prince and can do whatever he wants! Even the King can't lay a finger on him.
< p.276 >
Oscar:	Damn ... [ huff huff ] Turn the carriage around! Go back to the Jarjayes house!
André:	Oscar!
Oscar:	I'm not going to Versailles! Not to that Versailles! Who'd want to go to a court like that? Son of a bitch!
# On that night, a fire broke out somewhere in Paris.
Oscar:	It's the residence of Marquise de Boulainvilliers, a friend of Mother's!
André:	I heard it's arson!

< p.277 >
[ boom! ]
Boulainvilliers:	Jeanne! Where are you, Jeanne? Get out now! Jeanne? Nicholas?
< p.278 >
Boulainvilliers:	Nicholas? Jeanne?
Nicholas:	[ whish! ]
Boulainvilliers:	Aargh! Wh- what are you doing? Jeanne! Are you insane? St- stop it, Nicholas! Er ... um ... Um ... Aarggghhh! Jea- Jeanne! [ falls off balustrade ] Aaarrrggghhh-----!
< p.279 >
Jeanne:	[ wail wail ... ] Oh ... Aunt ... My dear Aunt ...
Maid:	Lady Jeanne!
Jeanne:	[ sob ... ] I tried to take her with me ... But she fainted when she saw the fire ... and fell before I could reach her ...
Nicholas:	[ heh ... ]
< p.280 >
Rohan:	I, er, am Rohan. I heard the Marquise de Boulainvilliers had passed away.
Jeanne:	Oh, Cardinal Rohan!
Nicholas:	Hey, Jeanne! Isn't that Cardinal Rohan?
Jeanne:	Yes ... heh heh ... I asked him to come.
Nicholas:	What? Don't you know what a playboy he is! If he sees a beauty like you ...
Jeanne:	I don't care what he does. After all, he is the highest ranking priest in France. He'll be useful to us. Aren't we're lucky that he is a friend of the Marquise! [ turns to Rohan ] How do you do, Cardinal Rohan. I am a distant relative of the Marquise de Boulainvilliers. My name is Jeanne.
Rohan:	[ sob ... ] Oh God! How unfortunate the Marquise is! She was so kind ...
Jeanne:	Cardinal Rohan ... if you don't mind ...
Rohan:	[ sniff ] Huh?
< p.281 >
Rohan:	Could this be ... the will of the Marquise de Boulainvilliers?
Jeanne:	Yes ... she asked me to keep it for her a while ago. Please take a look.
Rohan:	[ Hmm ... ] Yes ... that's it! It's definitely the Marquise's handwriting! She wishes to leave all of her fortunes to you, Jeanne Valois!
Jeanne:	Oh my!
< p.282 >
Oscar:	Who is that woman?
André:	A distant relative of the late Marquise ... Supposedly some descendent of the house of Valois called Jeanne .... Don't you know her?
Oscar:	No ... Marquise de Boulainvilliers had never been summoned by the Queen. So I haven't seen her at court. But hey, see the man she's talking to? It's Cardinal Rohan!
André:	Cardinal Rohan?
Oscar:	He was our former ambassador to Austria ...
< p.283 >
Oscar:	But all he did was fool around with women. Lady Antoinette's mother, the Empress Maria Theresa, was so disgusted that she dismissed him. So now he's back in France. [ exchanges looks with Jeanne ] [ snort ] If that woman were truly a Valois, she should be living in the Palace as a Princess! It seems quite strange ... Just looking at her burning eyes ... and the way she talks to that horrid Cardinal Rohan ... gives me the creeps ...
< p.284 >
Women:	Why, it's Monsieur Oscar! It's been a while since we last saw you in court! We heard you've been promoted to Commander!
Antoinette:	Oscar!
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette!
Antoinette:	What's wrong? You haven't been to court lately. I've been waiting for you every day! Was there something you were upset about?
< p.285 >
André:	[ cough ... um ... ]
Oscar:	Er, don't!
André:	[ heh heh ... ] {{ Even Oscar can be childish at times! }}
Servant:	Your Majesty, Rose Bertin has arrived.
Antoinette:	Oh, the woman from Bertin's? Bring her to my room now!
[ Bertin and maids march in: strut strut ... rustle rustle ... ]
Oscar:	[ dazed ] Wh- what's that?
André:	Oh, she's the designer from the Bertin dress shop in Paris! She's been coming to court quite often these days.
< p.286 >
André:	Lady Antoinette has taken quite a liking to Mme. Bertin's dresses.
Bertin:	Your Majesty, I've brought you new designs again today. This is called ... "boundless joy"! And this one is called "secret sighs"!
Antoinette:	Oh my! You've brought me more new dresses! But ... I've already ordered 54 gowns and 125 evening dresses this year ...
< p.287 >
Bertin:	How could you say that, Your Majesty! As the Queen, you must always lead the latest trend in fashion! And you must be the role model of Society!
Antoinette:	Oooh, this pattern would look lovely with that brown silk! Go get your payment from the Director General of Finances! Ah, Your Majesty!
Louis XVI:	What's this!? This color reminds me of fleas!
Bertin:	Fleas? Oh, what a great idea! Let's name this color "flea's stomach" and that one "flea's feet"! It'll be a hit!
Women:	[ screech ... rumble ... ] I must have a flea-colored dress! Give me the same one as the Queen's! Hey, give me the fabric for "flea's stomach"! I want the most trendy color this year!
Louis XVI:	Oh dear ... my ears are starting to itch ...
< p.288 >
Oscar:	[ My God! ]
André:	Gosh, that's how it is. Now Lady Antoinette is completely taken with Mme. Bertin's dresses!
Bertin:	How do you like these ostrich feathers?
Antoinette:	Oh, I love them! You're fabulous, Bertin!
Bertin:	These feathers are quite expensive and hard to get. Even if the other court ladies want them, I won't let anyone have them. I made them just for Her Majesty!
< p.289 >
Antoinette:	{{ Oh how fortunate you seem, Antoinette! You're becoming more beautiful every day! You're the rose fairy of Versailles ... the Queen of Rococo ... All the nobles in court have fallen in love with you ... But ... why do you feel there's still something missing ... }}
# Austria
Maria Theresa:	What's this!? Did you say it was my child's portrait from France? Gosh, could it have been delivered to the wrong place? This isn't a portrait of the French Queen, but that of a gaudy actress!
< p.290 >
Maria Theresa:	How could my daughter look like this silly woman decked out in feathers! Return the portrait to France at once! {{ Oh ... my dear Marie, don't you understand? A young beautiful woman, especially for a Queen so graceful and charming, has no need for such fancy attire! Rather, it's her unique sensibilities and elegant manners that make the Queen appealing. You seem so out of touch with reality, buying all these lavish diamonds and feathers ... Do you realize how much taxes are needed to cover an expense so large? }}
< p.291 >
Women:	Oh my! You're wearing the same feathers as the Queen's! How lovely! [ wow! ] Hee hee ... I made my husband sell off our country estate to buy this! [ oooh! ] Oh, last time I bought the same diamond bracelet as the Queen's. Heh heh ... though I did have to borrow lots of money, you know. Oh dear, you must be careful. I heard some countess almost broke up with her husband over her loans! Yeah! And I heard some baron ran away during the night because he couldn't pay off his debt! Oh my! I want to be just like Lady Antoinette ... I want to be as beautiful as Lady Antoinette ... Just like Lady Antoinette ... Lady Antoinette ...
Oscar:	Well, look at that! The entire court seems to have gone crazy.
André:	[ ha ha ... ] At this rate, Lady Antoinette would drive all the court ladies in France to bankrupcy!

< p.292 >
Oscar:	[ glare ] That's not funny, André!
Servant:	Soon the King and Queen will arrive at the dinner party at the opera room in the Palace. All attendees, please prepare for change of dress.
André:	Are you going, Oscar?
Oscar:	I can't turn down the invitation. All officers who rank above colonel will be there. Father will go too.
André:	Then I'll dine with the other nobles as usual.
< p.293 >
André:	Hey Oscar! Look over there!
Oscar:	Huh? [ recognizes Guéméné ] Ah!
< p.294 >
[ At the dinner party ]
Antoinette:	I was thinking of cancelling the morning audience and general audience from now on. What do you think, Prince de Guéméné?
Guéméné:	[ cough ] That's a fine idea, Your Majesty. The Queen of France is a dignified figure, therefore it is not necessary for her to meet with those with lower ranks.
< p.295 >
Antoinette:	Oh, you think so too?
Oscar:	However ...
Antoinette:	What is it, Oscar? Do tell.
Oscar:	If I may say so ... holding audience is part of the duties of the King and Queen. Rather than amusements, speaking with visitors who travel a great distance to the Palace ... would inspire a deeper understanding and affection towards Your Majesty. Moreover, Your Majesty would become more aware of the affairs of people and places beyond the Palace.
< p.296 >
Courtiers:	[ hmm ... I agree ... ]
André:	[ snicker ] Hee hee ... Oscar said it quite well.
Guéméné:	Hmpf! Who's have thought a greenhorn like you could speak so well! Perhaps you're some general's daughter ... but a woman commander? Ha! How ridiculous! Ha ha ha ... [ Ha ha ha ... ]
Oscar:	Oh, is that right?
< p.297 >
Oscar:	Then, what do you call a man who tricked and shot an innocent child in the back? And a Prince too, for crying out loud! How's that for ridiculous? Ha ha ha ... [ ha ha ha ... ]
André:	[ panic ] Oh ... darn it, Oscar! You're nuts!
[ crash! ]
< p.298 >
Guéméné:	I ... challenge you to a duel! Why, you cocky youngster!
Oscar:	Very well, I, Oscar François, accept your challenge.
Crowd:	[ Oh dear! Oh my! Goodness! Gracious! ]
André:	My Lord ... I beg you to stop her!
General Jarjayes:	Don't you worry. She's well-trained in both shooting and fencing. I wouldn't have made her my successor if I thought she was going to die.
Oscar:	[ heh heh ... ]
Guéméné	[ Just wait! ]
< p.299 >
Antoinette:	Stop this nonsense! Please calm down, Prince de Guéméné! Oscar is still quite young, so please forgive her ...
Guéméné:	No, Your Majesty! She has insulted the august lineage of a Prince! Her youth is no excuse. If she gets away with this, the house of Guéméné will become the laughingstock of court!
Antoinette:	I will not allow you to duel! Oscar François de Jarjayes!
Oscar:	Yes, Your Majesty.
< p.300 >
Antoinette:	Do as I say ... stay out of court for one month! [ whispers ] Sorry, Oscar. Bear with me for a while. I had to soothe the Prince a bit, otherwise ...
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette ...
Guéméné:	You really should have been demoted. Hmpf! I guess this works too. [ But in his mind, quite thrilled ]
André:	Oscar ...
Oscar:	Heh heh ... don't look so miserable, André! Just think of it as an unexpected vacation.

END OF PART 1

abc	= speech
{{ abc }}	= thought
abc	= emphasis
...	= unfinished speech/thought, or pause
( abc )	= alternative translation, usually indicates literal meaning (lit.)
[ abc ]	= description of actions/sounds
< p.# >	= page number
#	= narrator's comments, author's footnotes
AJL:	= translator's comments

CHAPTER 2: Basking in the Seat of Glory-- Part 1 --

CHAPTER 2: Basking in the Seat of Glory

-- Part 1 --