Public Life of a French Monarch
Benjamin Franklin:
Why, this is barbarous. Must the Queen's child be born in public?
Count de Mercey:
Dr. Franklin, a French monarch belongs to the public. He must be born, he must live, and he must die in public.
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Extravagance and the Pursuit of Pleasure
The Count de Mercey:
I've been told of a necklace costing 200,000 livres.
Marie Antoinette:
Which I lost tonight on a wager.
Count de Mercey:
You must be out of your senses, madame. What on earth is driving you to this extravagance? This mad pursuit of pleasure which can end only in—
Marie Antoinette:
But not in boredom. At least, not yet.
Count de Mercey:
In these times, madame, your excuses will not fail to impress the people.
Matie Antoinette:
Why, they adore me. I've conquered Paris.
Count de Mercey:
No, madame. Paris was conquered you. Do you realize that you're the first Dauphine of France ever to be spoken of openly as a wanton?
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Threatening Words About Women's Place in Society
Louis XVI: [''to Mme. du Barry'']
There are places for women like you in the Bastille.
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Fearlessness in Power and Legacy
Louis XV: [''to Duke d'Orléans'']
I'm not afraid of you, nor of the nobles, nor of the people, nor of ideas. The state will last my time. After me, the Deluge.
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A Gift of Precious Value
Louis XV: [''presenting the bride'']
Louis, I cast this pearl before you.
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Discontent with Aristocratic Obligations
Duke d'Orléans: [''to Mme. du Barry'']
I am as weary of paying homage to the somewhat overblown charms of the ladies who rule our ruler as the people are of paying their bills.
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Identity Beyond Occupation
Mme. du Barry:
I never was a laundress. I was a milliner.
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A Critique of Social Pretenses and Appearance
Mme. du Barry: [''of Marie Antoinette'']
The creature's nothing more than a sob in a wig.
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The Burden of Royal Expectations
Marie Antoinette:
I cannot wear a crown upon my heart.
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The Bittersweet Nature of Great Love
Marie Antoinette:
Perhaps the great loves come with tears.
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Appreciation for Diverse Experiences
Marie Antoinette:
I enjoy nothing more than meeting people of broad experience.
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Royalty and the Allure of Scandal
Marie Antoinette:
Royalty loves an occasional roll in the gutter.
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