A Precious Friend: 1-2 Princess of Austria

*The wedding ceremony of Louis XVI, Crown Prince of France, and Princess Marie is to be held today. Gabrielle and Jules leave early to attend the ceremony...*

## Info

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## Transcript

Expand for script.

* May 16th, 1770. The wedding ceremony of Louis, heir to the French throne, and Marie-Antoinette of Austria is to be held today.

* I get up early and apply my makeup. Jules waits for me quietly.
* **Gabrielle:** Would I look disgraceful like this?

* **Gabrielle:** Is this dress too plain? Should I wear some jewelry?

* **Jules:** You're nervous, Gabrielle. You're as beautiful as an angel.

* **Gabrielle:** I should wear the ruby necklace my mother gave me. It was a most precious wedding gift.

* **Gabrielle:** Could you help me put it on, my dear?

* Jules helps me with the necklace, then rests his hands on my shoulders. His eyes are gentle and warm.
* **Jules:** Just you watch, Gabrielle, you will be a goddess at the Palace of Versailles.

* **Gabrielle:** Thank you, Jules. Perhaps I really am too nervous.

* This is my first appearance at such an important occasion, so I'm paying attention to the details.
* **Gabrielle:** (Though it's a newly tailored dress, it's very plain.)

* **Gabrielle:** (The only eye-catching thing is the ruby necklace on my chest...)

* I keep staring unhappily at myself in the mirror until Jules gently reminds me...
* **Jules:** The carriage is ready, Gabrielle. We should get going.

* **Gabrielle:** All right, let's go.

* Although we were a little delayed in setting out, we have plenty of time. As we get closer to our destination, our way is blocked by commoners flocking to the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of royalty.
* The carriage is frequently stalled before finally arriving at the palace.

* The banquet hall is crowded. Owing to our family's financial situation, Jules and I can only watch from a distant corner near the door.
* Brightly dressed nobles pass by, ignoring us. They greet each other with the usual formality.
* **Duchess Charles:** Ah, if it isn't the Comtesse Riosa! It's been a long time. You are looking more beautiful and youthful than ever!

* **Comtesse Riosa:** You too, Duchess Charles.

* **Comtesse Riosa:** Your dress is magnificent. It complements your beauty with such perfection.

* **Duchess Charles:** You flatter me! Did you purchase this diamond necklace from Bohmer?

* **Duchess Charles:** Such paramount workmanship. It's worth its high price.

* **Comtesse Riosa:** Your dress is just as gorgeous. If I hadn't ordered mine in advance, I would have chosen it without hesitation.

* Hearing their conversation, I can't help but admire the Duchess Charles' dress. The complex embroidery and detailed craftsmanship is familiar...
* **Gabrielle:** Look, Jules. Didn't we see that dress at Bohmer's store?

* **Jules:** Yes.

* **Gabrielle:** That dress cost fifty thousand livres...

* **Jules:** So what? If one can't regularly attend banquets, then an expensive dress is nothing but a decoration.

* For a moment, Jules' cold remark shocks me.
* **Gabrielle:** What's wrong, my dear? You don't seem happy...

* The nobles overhear our conversation.
* **Duchess Charles:** Which noble family is that? Dressed like a maid at a grand wedding?

* **Comtesse Riosa:** Don't be surprised, Duchess. Some people are born with poor looks and can do nothing but talk behind other people's backs.

* **Comtesse Riosa:** Look at that ruby necklace. It looks like the one my grandmother used to wear. How old-fashioned.

* Jules becomes sullen at the nobles' contemptuous remarks. I don't feel any better either.
* **Gabrielle:** (The ruby necklace is our family's most expensive piece of jewelry...)

* **Gabrielle:** (Am I really so unsuited for such an occasion?)

* Jules clenches his fist and his face contorts.
* **Gabrielle:** Jules...

* As I steel myself to say more, the nobles become excited.
* **Comtesse Riosa:** Look! It's Prince Louis and Princess Marie!

* I set my thoughts aside and look at the center of the banquet hall.
* Prince Louis and Princess Marie-Antoinette, wearing a gorgeous dress, make their grand debut.
* **Comtesse Riosa:** My gosh, the Austrian Princess is absolutely beautiful!

* **Duchess Charles:** Her dress is so precious and luxurious...

* Everyone sighs in wonder at wedding music, falling flower petals, and resounding applause.
* Even from a distance, I can feel Marie Antoinette's grace, generosity, and beauty.
* **Gabrielle:** (All of France's nobles are here, admiring her looks...)

* **Gabrielle:** (Someday, not far in the future, she will be Queen Marie. She is destined for things far beyond my reach.)

* Her beauty eclipses us all, especially me, the most inconspicuous person here.
* **Louis XV:** We are here today to celebrate the wedding between my grandson and Princess Marie-Antoinette.

* **Louis XV:** I hope you will all enjoy yourselves in the ball that follows!

* As Louis XV says this, a round of applause erupts. The nobles cheer.
* The nobles gather in the center of the banquet hall and begin to dance.
* The noisy chatter dies down, replaced by joyous music and the tapping of shoes on carpet.
* I forget my earlier unpleasant emotions. I look at Jules, standing there with knitted brows.
* **Gabrielle:** Jules, my dear...

* **Jules:** What's the matter?

* **Gabrielle:** Well, we've not danced together since our wedding...

* I try to soothe my husband's anxiety. He is rather on edge.
* Perhaps realizing his demeanor, Jules' face relaxes and he manages a hint of a smile.
* **Jules:** I'm sorry, Gabrielle... I should be asking you.

* **Jules:** May I have the honor of this dance?

* He extends his hand in invitation, like a gentleman.
* **Gabrielle:** Of course, Jules. I would be delighted.

* I put my hand in his and we dance.

* Graceful and lively music fills the luxuriously decorated banquet hall.
* The rich aroma of wine intertwines with the fragrance of fine perfume. Dancing couples elegantly twirl while others engage in pleasant conversations.
* But even the most beautiful moments have an ending. Once the dance ends, you return to reality...

* Not long after the dreamy royal wedding, Jules' sister Dianna comes to visit.
* **Gabrielle:** (Dianna hasn't paid a visit since she became a Comtesse's maid.)

* **Gabrielle:** (What could be the reason for this sudden visit...?)

* As soon as she enters, Dianna begins to criticize me sharply, expressing her great displeasure.
* **Dianna:** How can you wear such a tattered old dress, Gabrielle?

* **Dianna:** No wonder you were mocked at the wedding.

* **Gabrielle:** I...

* **Dianna:** Even if you're short on money, you must still dress well. You'll bring embarrassment to the Polignac family.

* **Gabrielle:** (She's about to delve into a sermon. I need to change the subject...)

* **Gabrielle:** You've become Comtesse Artois' maid? Very impressive.

* **Dianna:** Well, of course. The Comtesse Artois is a member of the royal family. I've been making frequent visits to the Palace of Versailles recently.

* **Dianna:** I meet many important people I wouldn't normally get the chance.

* **Gabrielle:** What important people have you met?

* **Dianna:** I've often seen the Princess Marie, who recently moved into the palace.

* **Dianna:** She's the envy of every woman.

* **Dianna:** Her dresses are gorgeous, she has countless pieces of jewelry, and most important of all, the esteemed title of royalty.

* A dreamy look crosses Dianna's face.
* **Gabrielle:** Even you envy her?

* **Gabrielle:** I couldn't really see the Princess at the wedding as I was too far away.

* **Dianna:** Although the Princess is beautiful, she's a little too arrogant, and doesn't get along with Madame du Barry.

* **Gabrielle:** Arrogant? Really? I thought...

* **Dianna:** You haven't even been to the Palace of Versailles, have you? So you wouldn't know.

* **Gabrielle:** ...That's true.

* **Dianna:** I'm telling you, Princess Marie doesn't respect Madame du Barry and has never shown her any courtesy.

* **Dianna:** From what I've seen, she's never even spoken a word to her.

* **Dianna:** But given Madame du Barry's background, tsk tsk, how many people at the Palace of Versailles really think well of her?

* Dianna says this with a look of contempt, as if she too disregards Madame du Barry.
* **Gabrielle:** (Madame du Barry's background is indeed a little complicated...)

* **Gabrielle:** (And the Royal Princess was the Princess of Austria. Their status is vastly different.)

* **Gabrielle:** You really know a lot, Dianna...

* Dianna then speaks in a haughty manner.
* **Dianna:** If you could walk the halls of the Palace of Versailles like I do, you wouldn't think such things as shocking secrets.

* **Dianna:** It's no wonder that I know more than most maids. After all, I am the first maid of the King's brother's wife.

* **Dianna:** Tell you what, when I get the chance, I'll take you on a tour around the palace.

* **Dianna:** But you will need to dress better.

* At my insistence, Dianna continues to share interesting gossip from inside the Palace of Versailles with enthusiasm.
* As I listen to Dianna, I begin to empathize with Princess Marie.
* **Gabrielle:** (Being surrounded by powerful nobles and countless rumors doesn't sound like a happy life...)