Dangerous Liaisons (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - You Don't Know Me - full transcript
Everything.
Who is she?
Your challenge.
Jacqueline de Montrachet.
If you could seduce her,
and there must be proof...
A letter
from her to you.
- Your late husband's son...
- Prévan.
Pascal Valmont.
That man
has no place in my family.
He is disinherited
and penniless.
It's Camille.
She always wore it.
See that no one touches her.
If you are in need
of comfort, I...
Bring me the letter
my wife intended for me.
Have you forgotten
your reputation is in my hands?
Why do you not simply
cast her out?
Far better that she leave
because she cannot bear to stay.
I need to see the letter
Madame wrote.
Ariadne!
She is saying, "Forgive me."
- Be silent!
- Victoire!
Victoire.
I must forgive.
To find the light.
Otherwise, the darkness here
will overtake you.
Even God does not forgive.
♪ ♪
I've been asked
to recommend a girl
from this orphanage,
someone who can hold up
her head in a great house,
someone who can serve
a fine couple.
♪ ♪
I am Madame de Montrachet...
♪ ♪
...but I'll be a mother to you.
♪ ♪
What were you thinking?
Call it an act of charity.
As we speak,
beggars all over the city
are crying out
to be drenched in blood.
Didn't I drive her
into your arms?
And from them, into her home,
from which she is yet to emerge.
You almost seem
concerned for her.
She means nothing
to me, Camille.
What is she to you?
One moment,
you beg me to seduce her.
The next, the very sight of her
leads you to act
like a madwoman.
She's a friend of yours,
perhaps?
Nobody ever talks
about what the Baptists did.
I hear Salome
was avenging her mother.
Fail at the task I have set,
you will never see
your letters again.
Do not bring your recklessness
to my letters.
There are rules to this.
If I cannot understand you,
I cannot help you.
Why do you hate
Madame de Montrachet?
You do not need
to understand, Valmont.
You simply need to do
as I ask you to.
Then I'll put it another way.
If I cannot understand you,
I cannot trust you.
I am done with this.
- You would not walk away.
- Why?
Because you crave the return
of your beloved letters.
Valmont.
Valmont!
♪ ♪
Why so angry, Pascal?
Is it money...
...or women?
♪ ♪
A woman.
But which...
The one you lost
or the one you seek?
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Ah. Bravo.
I'd like to try
the last refrain one more time.
Oh, my darling,
we really must be on our way.
A happy day. A happy day.
Here is to many more.
It's refreshing to find a woman
incapable of anything
but happiness.
I will see you again soon.
Camille.
I was so disappointed
you weren't here.
I do look forward to spending
some more time with you soon.
And tell me,
has your maid recovered?
I thought so much about her.
She's much better.
Thank you.
Time to go. We mustn't be late.
Lovely to see you.
Goodbye.
The game's over.
Change is coming here.
Good day, Marquis.
♪ ♪
Leave it.
♪ ♪
I hear there's to be a talk
at the Foreign Mission Society
tomorrow.
And you'd like me to go?
Perhaps you enjoy me being
attacked in the street, Henri.
What happened was an
indiscriminate act of violence.
There's a growing resentment
in the poor towards our kind.
And what kind are we?
Their betters,
and we must behave
as such, my love.
You haven't called me that
in such a long time.
Then I am at fault.
It was not her.
- It was her.
- It was not.
I saw her!
I saw the hate in her eyes.
It was the servant girl.
She's dead, a ghost,
nothing more.
Jacqueline, I cannot lose you
again to this madness,
so I beg you,
put this behind you
and go back to the world.
You're expected at the talk.
You have a duty.
♪ ♪
A hit to Valmont.
♪ ♪
A hit again.
Oh!
Vicomte de Valmont wins!
Valmont! Valmont! Valmont!
Congratulations, Prévan.
You were so brilliant, darling!
A son any mother
would be proud of.
- Bravo, Valmont!
- Congratulations.
Bravo, Valmont!
My condolences.
Back in Paris
only a few short days,
and already
he's the toast of the town.
In a few weeks,
he'll be locked up
in his barracks again.
With any luck, there'll be a war
and a cannonball
will tear off his head.
Come now, Azolan.
I need you
to take a letter to Camille.
♪ ♪
Sir, may I first of all say
what an honor it is
to serve under you?
By asking...
Uh, by asking to see me today,
I hope that means my work is
making a difference to Paris...
...and ultimately the king.
I have not called you in
to praise you.
I have reports on you,
Gabriel Carré,
that you are spending time
on a personal matter.
Sir, that is not the case.
It is an investigation,
although the woman lost
was of great importance to me.
I heard she was a whore
fished out of the river,
one of the many who cannot bear
their miserable lives on Earth
and take their chances
in the next life.
Get back
to the real work, Carré,
not suicides
of the dispossessed.
I will not have
a disobedient man here.
You understand?
- My head...
- Mm.
...is it in one piece?
It has grown a friend,
and I have to tell you...
the friend is even prettier.
I thought I was free of it,
the falling sickness.
What happened after I fell?
Nothing of consequence.
Now broth.
♪ ♪
You have something to put to me?
I do hope it's an apology.
I have nothing to apologize for,
but I do have new terms.
You think you're in a position
to set new terms?
If you wish me
to continue my pursuit
of Jacqueline de Montrachet.
I thought you wanted
your letters back.
But then again,
I did think you wanted me.
Stop it, Camille.
I don't know what this cat fight
I'm caught up in is,
but it seems far from the wager
you enticed me with,
and you seem unwilling or unable
to share the truth with me.
I don't owe you the truth.
I'm here for what is mine.
When you have done
what we agreed.
Why must everything
be about you?
I'm talking of my inheritance,
of my title of Vicomte.
Both were taken from me
by my stepmother
and her cuckoo of a son
when my father died.
Really spared me the details
of who you are.
- So you have a title.
- I have nothing.
That's why I need you to use
your exemplary skills
of manipulation and deceit.
You have not lost your charm.
Draw out the truth
about how this false Vicomtesse
made a puppet of my father
on his deathbed
to disinherit me
so that I may get back
what is rightfully mine.
These are my terms, Camille.
Well, I'm glad I've amused you.
I mean, you must see the irony.
The woman you wish
to gain power over
is the one woman in Paris
you can't seduce.
I shouldn't have come.
I know what it is
to lose everything.
It's not the loss.
Then what?
♪ ♪
My father chose him...
...someone else's son
to love more than his own.
♪ ♪
That is not your shame, but his.
Tell me where to find her.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
The skirt I bought
the other week for the hunt,
I want a robe à I'anglaise
to go with it.
Of course, Vicomtesse.
Whatever you desire.
My philosophy too.
The Vicomtesse de Valmont?
They say the Vicomte died
with a smile on his face.
Now she spends her days
collecting clothes...
and gossip.
Slim sleeves like these?
Exactly. And the hair, Léonard?
A wig?
Like the one you had
Madame Vauqueline wear
to the Comédie-Française
last week.
- Yes.
- No.
It should be
as the queen now wears it.
With green ostrich feathers.
And who are you?
Mademoiselle Camille.
The skirt should be
plain-colored.
My guardian's wife
was a great admirer of yours.
- Whose wife?
- The Marquis de Merteuil's.
She was?
I heard rumor
she didn't simply fall.
How do you find the Marquis?
He is a man not only
of... great kindness
but of good taste
and generosity of spirit.
He is a man...
We can agree on that...
And one who will soon have
every eligible woman in the city
knocking on his door.
♪ ♪
Call on me for tea.
We can discuss the Marquis'
many qualities
and future prospects.
I will look forward to it,
Vicomtesse.
Green ostrich plumes, Léonard.
Like the queen.
♪ ♪
That's her coach.
She must still be inside.
Ah, you did well
to find her, Azolan.
Wait for me here.
♪ ♪
In Upper Cochin, the Tay Sons
have issued edicts
of persecution
against all Christians.
Children have been slain
and orphaned.
My order has taken in
many young girls.
We offer them shelter,
what education we can.
Any contribution
would be appreciated.
For the children.
God bless you.
God bless you.
Bless you.
Madame de Montrachet,
you are recovered?
Oh, please, Monsieur Lucienne,
I do not wish to think of it.
You have my appreciation for
your kindness the other night.
I've no more to say.
I only want to return these.
But I gave them to the sister.
Forgive me,
but they look better on you.
I gave twice their value.
Do not embarrass me by refusing.
They were for the children.
See they are returned
to the collection plate.
You feel, as I do,
an especial affinity
with the children.
They're innocent of sin.
Their suffering's undeserved.
But the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.
They know only honesty,
and that is the path
to our Lord.
You are a man
of genuine faith in Paris,
Monsieur Lucienne.
It's rare to see good things.
Ah, in another life, I would
have taken holy orders myself.
I'm one of five,
the runt of the litter.
- I do not believe that.
- It is true.
All brothers,
all of whom wished to join
the Order of Saint Benedict.
Imagine my father's pleasure.
When my four brothers
took the cloth,
I was instructed that,
as the youngest,
I must carry the family name,
inherit the fortune
that went with it.
- Most would call you lucky.
- Or a fool.
Still, I fail my father
by not marrying.
And why is that?
There has been no woman
who understood
that my love of God must come
before my love of her.
♪ ♪
Mistress lost her button
from her coat.
Fell behind the seat.
Can I help?
I-I have small hands.
It's really no trouble.
Leave it, boy.
I thought I would pray.
Would you care to join me?
Very well.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Grace. The lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full...
What are you doing?
The saint's uncorrupted heart
moved me to pray with you.
I have offended you.
Madame de Montrachet, please!
♪ ♪
Madame de Montrachet is
buttoned tighter than her coat.
It's not as tight as it was.
Mm.
The coat, uh, it lost a button.
The coachman and the maid
were looking for the button
from her coat
while you were
attending the meeting.
Looking where?
In the coach.
Together?
Yes.
♪ ♪
What do you think you're doing?
More to the point,
what are you doing?
He's a gentleman!
And you are fornicators.
What would your mistress think
if she knew
that you were rutting
in her coach?
- We would be ruined, sir.
- Mm.
How much to keep quiet?
The suggestion that you could
buy me off is offensive.
Throw your fat-knuckled punch.
It'll hurt you more than me.
Go cool that hot head.
For her, not you.
Yes, yes.
We don't have all day.
Monsieur, you cannot
tell our mistress.
Please.
Do exactly as I instruct,
and she'll never hear of this.
♪ ♪
What are you doing?
Madame, I feel unwell. May I?
Well, you should have said.
♪ ♪
Isn't that the man from
the Foreign Mission Society?
Olivier, stop the carriage!
Fetch that boy to me.
Now, Suzette, before he goes.
♪ ♪
What's wrong with your leg?
Uh, crushed by a noble's horse,
Madame.
There's worse things in life.
My parents were taken
by the pox.
- Oh, you poor child.
- I don't need anyone's pity.
Olivier, give the boy
what money you have on you.
Thank you, my lady.
So tell me, what business
did you have
with Monsieur Lucienne?
I'm sworn to secrecy,
but since you paid me,
I'm to be a student
at his school for orphans
when he's raised
the money for it.
And thank you.
Oh, she believed you.
I believed myself.
And the world's
a cruel place for orphans.
You should find some
and give that to them.
Oh, what an excellent idea,
Azolan.
Some for you...
and some for me.
The game is on.
♪ ♪
You haven't been in Paris
long enough
to meet my son, Prévan.
He was, until recently,
the most eligible bachelor
in town, but...
he is to be married
to Cécile de Volanges,
a daughter of the Duke.
So... tell me,
now we are alone.
Was marriage to Jean
the reason why his wife
jumped to her death?
There are rumors he was
never faithful to her.
As I said, Vicomtesse,
the Marquis is a good man.
That was not your implication
at Madame Bert he's.
I may be blunt?
I let you believe so.
I hoped I might befriend you.
You thought such an alliance
would be to your advantage.
I feel naive,
exposed here.
And I have no guardian now
to guide me.
We are cut from the same cloth.
To get what you truly want
in this city,
you must destroy everything
and everyone
that stands between you and it.
How, Vicomtesse?
By showing no mercy.
Is that your own experience?
Camille, I'm almost offended.
You must think of my words
as that of a mentor's.
Theoretical examples.
Let me finish now
with some advice
if you wish to thrive here.
Make a good match,
an alliance of beauty, brains,
and a rich and powerful husband.
I am almost cursing myself
I did not move more swiftly
on your Marquis.
Well, he is unlikely to marry.
His wife is only recently gone.
My second piece of advice:
Keep your ear at every door.
You've been asleep, Camille.
Jean de Merteuil
is already bound to be married
to Emilie de Sevigny.
That... hyena
of a mother of hers
has caught him by the throat.
Strike fast and without fear,
or lose.
♪ ♪
One must admire her...
from a distance, of course.
She's quite lethal.
♪ ♪
No one ever bought me a dress.
What do you think?
You will look lovely,
mademoiselle.
All right, this one.
Wrap it.
I don't know how to thank you.
Five livres.
Oh, when can I have it?
It's not for you.
- You said to...
- Choose a dress...
...which you have done.
If that was not clear,
accept my apologies.
It was not clear.
God be with you.
And with you.
Madame de Montrachet.
I wanted to apologize
for my behavior at the chapel.
My actions were
totally out of character.
- I never imagined...
- I believe you.
...I'd meet a woman
who loved our Savior
with the same devotion...
You do?
I had hoped to see you.
You're trying to set up a school
for the poor orphans
of the city.
It doesn't matter how I know.
Might I venture
that since you were denied
your vocation,
you feel compelled to serve God
by helping those less fortunate
than yourself?
None more so than the children.
The kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.
I will see you have some money
for your school.
I cannot accept your kind offer.
Well, then I cannot accept
your apology.
It will bind us together
in venture.
So be it.
You are well again, I see.
The opposite.
I am sickened.
You like these pretty things.
I'll see that you have more.
Now that I think of it,
a little bird in the kitchen
told me you were fond
of bonbons.
Is that why you're here,
Monsieur,
to offer me pretty things
and bonbons?
Well, there must be
something you want.
For what?
You're not naive.
Don't act as if you are.
- The letter.
- There. See?
Far smarter than your mistress.
Name your price.
For betraying my friend
or dishonoring myself?
Perhaps you have money for both.
Who is Ariadne?
Ariadne was a girl like you.
A waif, a stray.
Unloved, unnoticed.
The sort of girl that adds
nothing to the world.
My wife brought her in
for companionship as...
one would a cat.
And when she grew tired of her,
she threw out the cat.
Give me the letter,
or I will drag it from you!
Child, what is the matter?
♪ ♪
It's Jean!
He's searching our room,
searching for the letter.
He will not rest
until he finds it.
We have to go now, Camille.
Go! Anywhere. Now.
Did he hurt you?
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
May we come in?
I'm entertaining.
But do join us.
Azolan...
how are you?
Uh, thank you for asking,
my lady.
Um, we're just having some
boiled grain and squirrel stew,
- if you'd care for some.
- I suspect she's already eaten.
Yes. I'm afraid so.
Maybe the little thief
is hungry.
Rather a thief
than a faithless blackmailer.
Now, I can't tell if you speak
of me or your mistress.
Victoire, please wait outside.
Take her some stew, Azolan.
You have made progress
with my stepmother?
There is a more pressing matter.
Madame left a note.
That's how I've been
maintaining my place
in Saint-Honoré.
Leave others' words alone,
or you will choke on them.
Something I think
you've learned at first hand.
Did she ever talk to you
of a girl she befriended?
Merteuil was never
a woman for friends.
The girl was Ariadne.
Valmont,
I see you know this name.
And if I do?
♪ ♪
We might trade.
Trade what? Hmm?
♪ ♪
I took tea
with Ondine de Valmont
this afternoon.
You have made progress quickly.
And?
My first card is on the table.
Ah, and I may have heard
of this Ariadne.
And?
I'm already
your stepmother's friend.
It will take longer
to become her confidante.
Ah, one card,
and you're played out.
♪ ♪
Not quite.
Ondine is ambitious.
Wealth is not enough.
She wants power.
She is in the market
for a husband
who can give her
what she desires.
Has she no shame?
Ariadne,
a girl Madame
brought into the house
and filled with ideas
above her station?
I doubt she was a girl Madame
would have spent a moment with,
let alone brought
into her house.
♪ ♪
Then from where
may you have heard
of Ariadne?
There's a private club,
the kind a man
might not to wish to advertise
he has affiliations with in...
polite society.
It's called The Labyrinth.
You've been there?
No, but I've heard mention
of this Ariadne.
The name stuck with me.
It's uncommon.
Where is it?
Only men may cross
the threshold.
♪ ♪
Then you'll have to help me.
Please.
♪ ♪
You've made progress
in your seduction
of Madame de Montrachet?
I have.
She believes you love God.
And I will convince her that
she means more to me than Him.
And after that,
she will open herself to you?
Like a flower
opens itself to sunlight.
♪ ♪
Now?
The necktie.
What else?
Of course.
♪ ♪
Where did you get it?
I forget.
It's of no importance.
Finishing touch.
You like how it feels?
Yes.
Imagining the world
and everything in it
is mine to have.
♪ ♪
Or not.
As I wish.
I thought we might talk.
Marquis?
You think I did not love her,
my wife, don't you?
I can see it in your eyes.
It's not my place
to have an opinion.
But you do.
You kept her letter from me.
That's an opinion.
I've had time to reflect, and...
I'm glad you did it.
Thank you, Major do me.
You honored my wife's memory.
You protected her,
as I failed to do.
And that is something
I must live with.
I'm going to do better
in my new marriage.
You're getting married?
And I'll return to the island.
But I'm torn.
Do I close up this house...
...or leave it in the care
of the man
who loves it beyond all others?
In short, do I trust you
as my wife trusted you?
And why did she trust you?
Because I cared for her.
And you cared for her wishes.
♪ ♪
The last thing she ever did
was to write me that note.
The last thing she ever wanted
was for me to see it.
And that's the truth, isn't it?
Yes.
And will you betray
her last wish?
You are my Major do me after all.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
If you value your life,
see she gets out safe.
Oh, your understated charm
will take you places
you cannot imagine.
Find me a coach.
Have it waiting.
♪ ♪
On whose invitation?
♪ ♪
Your name, Monsieur?
Valmont.
The Vicomtesse's son?
The Vicomte's son.
With Prévan, my stepbrother.
Who do you desire?
Ariadne.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
The Vicomte chooses you,
Ariadne.
♪ ♪
We're together.
Man is born
alone and dies alone.
In between, he must find his
way through the labyrinth...
alone.
See that those two
don't leave the club.
Mm-hmm.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
How is... business?
Must you lock the door?
Confinement vexes me.
Besides, I really must
get back to my brother.
Stepbrother.
After you have bound yourself.
♪ ♪
I feel a slight chill.
I might warm myself first.
I will warm you.
I feel a great thirst.
Let us send for some wine.
A talent of mine is
the anticipation of your needs.
Mm, I believe
all pleasure is in...
anticipation.
Not all of it, surely.
What are you here for, Vicomte?
What does anyone want from you?
Well...
- men want to fuck me.
- Mm-hmm.
And though you clearly
have balls,
they're not
where they should be.
And if you were the Vicomte,
you would have chosen Theseus,
not Ariadne.
Prévan likes hard bodies.
Who are you?
And don't lie,
or Monsieur Darcque
will cut us both a new smile.
I am a friend of a friend.
What friend
do we have in common?
- The Marquise de Merteuil.
- Mm.
She was no friend of ours.
You must do better... friend,
or you will not leave this room.
They can see us
through the walls.
Kiss me.
♪ ♪
I will need some help with this.
You'll have to do better
than that.
♪ ♪
I beg you.
♪ ♪
I seem to have the hang of this.
Forgive me.
If I wasn't in such a rush...
That's what they all say.
Close your eyes.
Count to ten.
Hmm.
Hey!
She wanted your forgiveness...
Ariadne.
"The bitter secret
our marriage bore.
Forgive me."
Those were her last words.
What do they mean?
It's we who should have asked
her forgiveness.
The things we do here
condemn us all to hell.
Who's "we"?
She spoke only of you,
of Ariadne.
Why should I trust you?
Because I have been
where you are.
We are all Ariadnes here.
♪ ♪
Aah!
The Marquis.
He comes to you?
No.
♪ ♪
He owns us.
Merteuil.
We draw secrets like kisses
from the men who come here
for the Marquis.
What secrets?
All those little indiscretions
a man may share
when he comes...
are given to him.
Secrets to be used
in the future.
The more we draw,
the more chance
we'll be given our freedom.
♪ ♪
Do not draw more suspicion
than you already have.
♪ ♪
- Camille?
- Harder, harder!
Harder!
Camille?
Harder! Harder!
Who the hell are you?
Guard!
♪ ♪
Get out of here.
Camille!
We have to go.
♪ ♪
Camille, now!
That's him.
The servants' stairs. Go.
♪ ♪
Over here!
Go! Go!
I didn't know you were so fast!
It's easier to run as a man.
And then the girl...
You were kissing her.
It's good manners, isn't it,
to kiss afterwards?
Who was the naked man?
We weren't formally introduced.
Bore a striking resemblance
to the archbishop of Paris.
My God!
Well?
I know Jean's secret.
I know what Ariadne means.
Thank you.
At your service,
as you are at mine.
I will visit Ondine again.
And we'll have
further adventures.
Is that not what brothers do?
♪ ♪
The world is a little kinder
to us orphans tonight,
my friend.
♪ ♪
I couldn't stop him.
What are you talking about?
He demanded the letter.
And you simply gave it to him?
He is master of this house.
Where is he?
Gone...
to his engagement party.
He's marrying Emilie de Sevigny,
and he left instructions
for me to ensure
that you left this house.
I'm sorry, mademoiselle,
it was...
the letter or my place here.
He'll regret
how he's treated us both.
Mademoiselle...
I would advise
that you leave this house.
The Marquis can do
whatever he wants
without consequence.
You can't win
against that sort of power.
♪ ♪
You don't know me.
You don't know me, Major do me.
♪ ♪
Who is she?
Your challenge.
Jacqueline de Montrachet.
If you could seduce her,
and there must be proof...
A letter
from her to you.
- Your late husband's son...
- Prévan.
Pascal Valmont.
That man
has no place in my family.
He is disinherited
and penniless.
It's Camille.
She always wore it.
See that no one touches her.
If you are in need
of comfort, I...
Bring me the letter
my wife intended for me.
Have you forgotten
your reputation is in my hands?
Why do you not simply
cast her out?
Far better that she leave
because she cannot bear to stay.
I need to see the letter
Madame wrote.
Ariadne!
She is saying, "Forgive me."
- Be silent!
- Victoire!
Victoire.
I must forgive.
To find the light.
Otherwise, the darkness here
will overtake you.
Even God does not forgive.
♪ ♪
I've been asked
to recommend a girl
from this orphanage,
someone who can hold up
her head in a great house,
someone who can serve
a fine couple.
♪ ♪
I am Madame de Montrachet...
♪ ♪
...but I'll be a mother to you.
♪ ♪
What were you thinking?
Call it an act of charity.
As we speak,
beggars all over the city
are crying out
to be drenched in blood.
Didn't I drive her
into your arms?
And from them, into her home,
from which she is yet to emerge.
You almost seem
concerned for her.
She means nothing
to me, Camille.
What is she to you?
One moment,
you beg me to seduce her.
The next, the very sight of her
leads you to act
like a madwoman.
She's a friend of yours,
perhaps?
Nobody ever talks
about what the Baptists did.
I hear Salome
was avenging her mother.
Fail at the task I have set,
you will never see
your letters again.
Do not bring your recklessness
to my letters.
There are rules to this.
If I cannot understand you,
I cannot help you.
Why do you hate
Madame de Montrachet?
You do not need
to understand, Valmont.
You simply need to do
as I ask you to.
Then I'll put it another way.
If I cannot understand you,
I cannot trust you.
I am done with this.
- You would not walk away.
- Why?
Because you crave the return
of your beloved letters.
Valmont.
Valmont!
♪ ♪
Why so angry, Pascal?
Is it money...
...or women?
♪ ♪
A woman.
But which...
The one you lost
or the one you seek?
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Ah. Bravo.
I'd like to try
the last refrain one more time.
Oh, my darling,
we really must be on our way.
A happy day. A happy day.
Here is to many more.
It's refreshing to find a woman
incapable of anything
but happiness.
I will see you again soon.
Camille.
I was so disappointed
you weren't here.
I do look forward to spending
some more time with you soon.
And tell me,
has your maid recovered?
I thought so much about her.
She's much better.
Thank you.
Time to go. We mustn't be late.
Lovely to see you.
Goodbye.
The game's over.
Change is coming here.
Good day, Marquis.
♪ ♪
Leave it.
♪ ♪
I hear there's to be a talk
at the Foreign Mission Society
tomorrow.
And you'd like me to go?
Perhaps you enjoy me being
attacked in the street, Henri.
What happened was an
indiscriminate act of violence.
There's a growing resentment
in the poor towards our kind.
And what kind are we?
Their betters,
and we must behave
as such, my love.
You haven't called me that
in such a long time.
Then I am at fault.
It was not her.
- It was her.
- It was not.
I saw her!
I saw the hate in her eyes.
It was the servant girl.
She's dead, a ghost,
nothing more.
Jacqueline, I cannot lose you
again to this madness,
so I beg you,
put this behind you
and go back to the world.
You're expected at the talk.
You have a duty.
♪ ♪
A hit to Valmont.
♪ ♪
A hit again.
Oh!
Vicomte de Valmont wins!
Valmont! Valmont! Valmont!
Congratulations, Prévan.
You were so brilliant, darling!
A son any mother
would be proud of.
- Bravo, Valmont!
- Congratulations.
Bravo, Valmont!
My condolences.
Back in Paris
only a few short days,
and already
he's the toast of the town.
In a few weeks,
he'll be locked up
in his barracks again.
With any luck, there'll be a war
and a cannonball
will tear off his head.
Come now, Azolan.
I need you
to take a letter to Camille.
♪ ♪
Sir, may I first of all say
what an honor it is
to serve under you?
By asking...
Uh, by asking to see me today,
I hope that means my work is
making a difference to Paris...
...and ultimately the king.
I have not called you in
to praise you.
I have reports on you,
Gabriel Carré,
that you are spending time
on a personal matter.
Sir, that is not the case.
It is an investigation,
although the woman lost
was of great importance to me.
I heard she was a whore
fished out of the river,
one of the many who cannot bear
their miserable lives on Earth
and take their chances
in the next life.
Get back
to the real work, Carré,
not suicides
of the dispossessed.
I will not have
a disobedient man here.
You understand?
- My head...
- Mm.
...is it in one piece?
It has grown a friend,
and I have to tell you...
the friend is even prettier.
I thought I was free of it,
the falling sickness.
What happened after I fell?
Nothing of consequence.
Now broth.
♪ ♪
You have something to put to me?
I do hope it's an apology.
I have nothing to apologize for,
but I do have new terms.
You think you're in a position
to set new terms?
If you wish me
to continue my pursuit
of Jacqueline de Montrachet.
I thought you wanted
your letters back.
But then again,
I did think you wanted me.
Stop it, Camille.
I don't know what this cat fight
I'm caught up in is,
but it seems far from the wager
you enticed me with,
and you seem unwilling or unable
to share the truth with me.
I don't owe you the truth.
I'm here for what is mine.
When you have done
what we agreed.
Why must everything
be about you?
I'm talking of my inheritance,
of my title of Vicomte.
Both were taken from me
by my stepmother
and her cuckoo of a son
when my father died.
Really spared me the details
of who you are.
- So you have a title.
- I have nothing.
That's why I need you to use
your exemplary skills
of manipulation and deceit.
You have not lost your charm.
Draw out the truth
about how this false Vicomtesse
made a puppet of my father
on his deathbed
to disinherit me
so that I may get back
what is rightfully mine.
These are my terms, Camille.
Well, I'm glad I've amused you.
I mean, you must see the irony.
The woman you wish
to gain power over
is the one woman in Paris
you can't seduce.
I shouldn't have come.
I know what it is
to lose everything.
It's not the loss.
Then what?
♪ ♪
My father chose him...
...someone else's son
to love more than his own.
♪ ♪
That is not your shame, but his.
Tell me where to find her.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
The skirt I bought
the other week for the hunt,
I want a robe à I'anglaise
to go with it.
Of course, Vicomtesse.
Whatever you desire.
My philosophy too.
The Vicomtesse de Valmont?
They say the Vicomte died
with a smile on his face.
Now she spends her days
collecting clothes...
and gossip.
Slim sleeves like these?
Exactly. And the hair, Léonard?
A wig?
Like the one you had
Madame Vauqueline wear
to the Comédie-Française
last week.
- Yes.
- No.
It should be
as the queen now wears it.
With green ostrich feathers.
And who are you?
Mademoiselle Camille.
The skirt should be
plain-colored.
My guardian's wife
was a great admirer of yours.
- Whose wife?
- The Marquis de Merteuil's.
She was?
I heard rumor
she didn't simply fall.
How do you find the Marquis?
He is a man not only
of... great kindness
but of good taste
and generosity of spirit.
He is a man...
We can agree on that...
And one who will soon have
every eligible woman in the city
knocking on his door.
♪ ♪
Call on me for tea.
We can discuss the Marquis'
many qualities
and future prospects.
I will look forward to it,
Vicomtesse.
Green ostrich plumes, Léonard.
Like the queen.
♪ ♪
That's her coach.
She must still be inside.
Ah, you did well
to find her, Azolan.
Wait for me here.
♪ ♪
In Upper Cochin, the Tay Sons
have issued edicts
of persecution
against all Christians.
Children have been slain
and orphaned.
My order has taken in
many young girls.
We offer them shelter,
what education we can.
Any contribution
would be appreciated.
For the children.
God bless you.
God bless you.
Bless you.
Madame de Montrachet,
you are recovered?
Oh, please, Monsieur Lucienne,
I do not wish to think of it.
You have my appreciation for
your kindness the other night.
I've no more to say.
I only want to return these.
But I gave them to the sister.
Forgive me,
but they look better on you.
I gave twice their value.
Do not embarrass me by refusing.
They were for the children.
See they are returned
to the collection plate.
You feel, as I do,
an especial affinity
with the children.
They're innocent of sin.
Their suffering's undeserved.
But the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.
They know only honesty,
and that is the path
to our Lord.
You are a man
of genuine faith in Paris,
Monsieur Lucienne.
It's rare to see good things.
Ah, in another life, I would
have taken holy orders myself.
I'm one of five,
the runt of the litter.
- I do not believe that.
- It is true.
All brothers,
all of whom wished to join
the Order of Saint Benedict.
Imagine my father's pleasure.
When my four brothers
took the cloth,
I was instructed that,
as the youngest,
I must carry the family name,
inherit the fortune
that went with it.
- Most would call you lucky.
- Or a fool.
Still, I fail my father
by not marrying.
And why is that?
There has been no woman
who understood
that my love of God must come
before my love of her.
♪ ♪
Mistress lost her button
from her coat.
Fell behind the seat.
Can I help?
I-I have small hands.
It's really no trouble.
Leave it, boy.
I thought I would pray.
Would you care to join me?
Very well.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Grace. The lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God.
Hail Mary, full...
What are you doing?
The saint's uncorrupted heart
moved me to pray with you.
I have offended you.
Madame de Montrachet, please!
♪ ♪
Madame de Montrachet is
buttoned tighter than her coat.
It's not as tight as it was.
Mm.
The coat, uh, it lost a button.
The coachman and the maid
were looking for the button
from her coat
while you were
attending the meeting.
Looking where?
In the coach.
Together?
Yes.
♪ ♪
What do you think you're doing?
More to the point,
what are you doing?
He's a gentleman!
And you are fornicators.
What would your mistress think
if she knew
that you were rutting
in her coach?
- We would be ruined, sir.
- Mm.
How much to keep quiet?
The suggestion that you could
buy me off is offensive.
Throw your fat-knuckled punch.
It'll hurt you more than me.
Go cool that hot head.
For her, not you.
Yes, yes.
We don't have all day.
Monsieur, you cannot
tell our mistress.
Please.
Do exactly as I instruct,
and she'll never hear of this.
♪ ♪
What are you doing?
Madame, I feel unwell. May I?
Well, you should have said.
♪ ♪
Isn't that the man from
the Foreign Mission Society?
Olivier, stop the carriage!
Fetch that boy to me.
Now, Suzette, before he goes.
♪ ♪
What's wrong with your leg?
Uh, crushed by a noble's horse,
Madame.
There's worse things in life.
My parents were taken
by the pox.
- Oh, you poor child.
- I don't need anyone's pity.
Olivier, give the boy
what money you have on you.
Thank you, my lady.
So tell me, what business
did you have
with Monsieur Lucienne?
I'm sworn to secrecy,
but since you paid me,
I'm to be a student
at his school for orphans
when he's raised
the money for it.
And thank you.
Oh, she believed you.
I believed myself.
And the world's
a cruel place for orphans.
You should find some
and give that to them.
Oh, what an excellent idea,
Azolan.
Some for you...
and some for me.
The game is on.
♪ ♪
You haven't been in Paris
long enough
to meet my son, Prévan.
He was, until recently,
the most eligible bachelor
in town, but...
he is to be married
to Cécile de Volanges,
a daughter of the Duke.
So... tell me,
now we are alone.
Was marriage to Jean
the reason why his wife
jumped to her death?
There are rumors he was
never faithful to her.
As I said, Vicomtesse,
the Marquis is a good man.
That was not your implication
at Madame Bert he's.
I may be blunt?
I let you believe so.
I hoped I might befriend you.
You thought such an alliance
would be to your advantage.
I feel naive,
exposed here.
And I have no guardian now
to guide me.
We are cut from the same cloth.
To get what you truly want
in this city,
you must destroy everything
and everyone
that stands between you and it.
How, Vicomtesse?
By showing no mercy.
Is that your own experience?
Camille, I'm almost offended.
You must think of my words
as that of a mentor's.
Theoretical examples.
Let me finish now
with some advice
if you wish to thrive here.
Make a good match,
an alliance of beauty, brains,
and a rich and powerful husband.
I am almost cursing myself
I did not move more swiftly
on your Marquis.
Well, he is unlikely to marry.
His wife is only recently gone.
My second piece of advice:
Keep your ear at every door.
You've been asleep, Camille.
Jean de Merteuil
is already bound to be married
to Emilie de Sevigny.
That... hyena
of a mother of hers
has caught him by the throat.
Strike fast and without fear,
or lose.
♪ ♪
One must admire her...
from a distance, of course.
She's quite lethal.
♪ ♪
No one ever bought me a dress.
What do you think?
You will look lovely,
mademoiselle.
All right, this one.
Wrap it.
I don't know how to thank you.
Five livres.
Oh, when can I have it?
It's not for you.
- You said to...
- Choose a dress...
...which you have done.
If that was not clear,
accept my apologies.
It was not clear.
God be with you.
And with you.
Madame de Montrachet.
I wanted to apologize
for my behavior at the chapel.
My actions were
totally out of character.
- I never imagined...
- I believe you.
...I'd meet a woman
who loved our Savior
with the same devotion...
You do?
I had hoped to see you.
You're trying to set up a school
for the poor orphans
of the city.
It doesn't matter how I know.
Might I venture
that since you were denied
your vocation,
you feel compelled to serve God
by helping those less fortunate
than yourself?
None more so than the children.
The kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.
I will see you have some money
for your school.
I cannot accept your kind offer.
Well, then I cannot accept
your apology.
It will bind us together
in venture.
So be it.
You are well again, I see.
The opposite.
I am sickened.
You like these pretty things.
I'll see that you have more.
Now that I think of it,
a little bird in the kitchen
told me you were fond
of bonbons.
Is that why you're here,
Monsieur,
to offer me pretty things
and bonbons?
Well, there must be
something you want.
For what?
You're not naive.
Don't act as if you are.
- The letter.
- There. See?
Far smarter than your mistress.
Name your price.
For betraying my friend
or dishonoring myself?
Perhaps you have money for both.
Who is Ariadne?
Ariadne was a girl like you.
A waif, a stray.
Unloved, unnoticed.
The sort of girl that adds
nothing to the world.
My wife brought her in
for companionship as...
one would a cat.
And when she grew tired of her,
she threw out the cat.
Give me the letter,
or I will drag it from you!
Child, what is the matter?
♪ ♪
It's Jean!
He's searching our room,
searching for the letter.
He will not rest
until he finds it.
We have to go now, Camille.
Go! Anywhere. Now.
Did he hurt you?
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
May we come in?
I'm entertaining.
But do join us.
Azolan...
how are you?
Uh, thank you for asking,
my lady.
Um, we're just having some
boiled grain and squirrel stew,
- if you'd care for some.
- I suspect she's already eaten.
Yes. I'm afraid so.
Maybe the little thief
is hungry.
Rather a thief
than a faithless blackmailer.
Now, I can't tell if you speak
of me or your mistress.
Victoire, please wait outside.
Take her some stew, Azolan.
You have made progress
with my stepmother?
There is a more pressing matter.
Madame left a note.
That's how I've been
maintaining my place
in Saint-Honoré.
Leave others' words alone,
or you will choke on them.
Something I think
you've learned at first hand.
Did she ever talk to you
of a girl she befriended?
Merteuil was never
a woman for friends.
The girl was Ariadne.
Valmont,
I see you know this name.
And if I do?
♪ ♪
We might trade.
Trade what? Hmm?
♪ ♪
I took tea
with Ondine de Valmont
this afternoon.
You have made progress quickly.
And?
My first card is on the table.
Ah, and I may have heard
of this Ariadne.
And?
I'm already
your stepmother's friend.
It will take longer
to become her confidante.
Ah, one card,
and you're played out.
♪ ♪
Not quite.
Ondine is ambitious.
Wealth is not enough.
She wants power.
She is in the market
for a husband
who can give her
what she desires.
Has she no shame?
Ariadne,
a girl Madame
brought into the house
and filled with ideas
above her station?
I doubt she was a girl Madame
would have spent a moment with,
let alone brought
into her house.
♪ ♪
Then from where
may you have heard
of Ariadne?
There's a private club,
the kind a man
might not to wish to advertise
he has affiliations with in...
polite society.
It's called The Labyrinth.
You've been there?
No, but I've heard mention
of this Ariadne.
The name stuck with me.
It's uncommon.
Where is it?
Only men may cross
the threshold.
♪ ♪
Then you'll have to help me.
Please.
♪ ♪
You've made progress
in your seduction
of Madame de Montrachet?
I have.
She believes you love God.
And I will convince her that
she means more to me than Him.
And after that,
she will open herself to you?
Like a flower
opens itself to sunlight.
♪ ♪
Now?
The necktie.
What else?
Of course.
♪ ♪
Where did you get it?
I forget.
It's of no importance.
Finishing touch.
You like how it feels?
Yes.
Imagining the world
and everything in it
is mine to have.
♪ ♪
Or not.
As I wish.
I thought we might talk.
Marquis?
You think I did not love her,
my wife, don't you?
I can see it in your eyes.
It's not my place
to have an opinion.
But you do.
You kept her letter from me.
That's an opinion.
I've had time to reflect, and...
I'm glad you did it.
Thank you, Major do me.
You honored my wife's memory.
You protected her,
as I failed to do.
And that is something
I must live with.
I'm going to do better
in my new marriage.
You're getting married?
And I'll return to the island.
But I'm torn.
Do I close up this house...
...or leave it in the care
of the man
who loves it beyond all others?
In short, do I trust you
as my wife trusted you?
And why did she trust you?
Because I cared for her.
And you cared for her wishes.
♪ ♪
The last thing she ever did
was to write me that note.
The last thing she ever wanted
was for me to see it.
And that's the truth, isn't it?
Yes.
And will you betray
her last wish?
You are my Major do me after all.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
If you value your life,
see she gets out safe.
Oh, your understated charm
will take you places
you cannot imagine.
Find me a coach.
Have it waiting.
♪ ♪
On whose invitation?
♪ ♪
Your name, Monsieur?
Valmont.
The Vicomtesse's son?
The Vicomte's son.
With Prévan, my stepbrother.
Who do you desire?
Ariadne.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
The Vicomte chooses you,
Ariadne.
♪ ♪
We're together.
Man is born
alone and dies alone.
In between, he must find his
way through the labyrinth...
alone.
See that those two
don't leave the club.
Mm-hmm.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
How is... business?
Must you lock the door?
Confinement vexes me.
Besides, I really must
get back to my brother.
Stepbrother.
After you have bound yourself.
♪ ♪
I feel a slight chill.
I might warm myself first.
I will warm you.
I feel a great thirst.
Let us send for some wine.
A talent of mine is
the anticipation of your needs.
Mm, I believe
all pleasure is in...
anticipation.
Not all of it, surely.
What are you here for, Vicomte?
What does anyone want from you?
Well...
- men want to fuck me.
- Mm-hmm.
And though you clearly
have balls,
they're not
where they should be.
And if you were the Vicomte,
you would have chosen Theseus,
not Ariadne.
Prévan likes hard bodies.
Who are you?
And don't lie,
or Monsieur Darcque
will cut us both a new smile.
I am a friend of a friend.
What friend
do we have in common?
- The Marquise de Merteuil.
- Mm.
She was no friend of ours.
You must do better... friend,
or you will not leave this room.
They can see us
through the walls.
Kiss me.
♪ ♪
I will need some help with this.
You'll have to do better
than that.
♪ ♪
I beg you.
♪ ♪
I seem to have the hang of this.
Forgive me.
If I wasn't in such a rush...
That's what they all say.
Close your eyes.
Count to ten.
Hmm.
Hey!
She wanted your forgiveness...
Ariadne.
"The bitter secret
our marriage bore.
Forgive me."
Those were her last words.
What do they mean?
It's we who should have asked
her forgiveness.
The things we do here
condemn us all to hell.
Who's "we"?
She spoke only of you,
of Ariadne.
Why should I trust you?
Because I have been
where you are.
We are all Ariadnes here.
♪ ♪
Aah!
The Marquis.
He comes to you?
No.
♪ ♪
He owns us.
Merteuil.
We draw secrets like kisses
from the men who come here
for the Marquis.
What secrets?
All those little indiscretions
a man may share
when he comes...
are given to him.
Secrets to be used
in the future.
The more we draw,
the more chance
we'll be given our freedom.
♪ ♪
Do not draw more suspicion
than you already have.
♪ ♪
- Camille?
- Harder, harder!
Harder!
Camille?
Harder! Harder!
Who the hell are you?
Guard!
♪ ♪
Get out of here.
Camille!
We have to go.
♪ ♪
Camille, now!
That's him.
The servants' stairs. Go.
♪ ♪
Over here!
Go! Go!
I didn't know you were so fast!
It's easier to run as a man.
And then the girl...
You were kissing her.
It's good manners, isn't it,
to kiss afterwards?
Who was the naked man?
We weren't formally introduced.
Bore a striking resemblance
to the archbishop of Paris.
My God!
Well?
I know Jean's secret.
I know what Ariadne means.
Thank you.
At your service,
as you are at mine.
I will visit Ondine again.
And we'll have
further adventures.
Is that not what brothers do?
♪ ♪
The world is a little kinder
to us orphans tonight,
my friend.
♪ ♪
I couldn't stop him.
What are you talking about?
He demanded the letter.
And you simply gave it to him?
He is master of this house.
Where is he?
Gone...
to his engagement party.
He's marrying Emilie de Sevigny,
and he left instructions
for me to ensure
that you left this house.
I'm sorry, mademoiselle,
it was...
the letter or my place here.
He'll regret
how he's treated us both.
Mademoiselle...
I would advise
that you leave this house.
The Marquis can do
whatever he wants
without consequence.
You can't win
against that sort of power.
♪ ♪
You don't know me.
You don't know me, Major do me.
♪ ♪