The Man in the Iron Mask

You must understand, monsieur.

I have strict orders not to let anyone see these prisoners.

But an order from the Minister, Monsieur Fouquet.

The rack, mademoiselle.

Still the best way to loosen a villain's tongue.

Tell me, monsieur, why does a beautiful young lady

of His Majesty's court wish to see

a wretch like this de la Valliere?

She is the man's daughter.

A fact that Monsieur Fouquet would not want published.

As governor of the Bastille, one learns to be discreet.

Please!

Monsieur!

Monsieur, I demand to know why I am here!

What have I done?

Who is my accuser?

When am I to be tried?

To hear them complain, they are all innocent.

Alone,

as I was promised.

Five minutes, no more.

Father?

Who's there?

What do you want of me?

It's Louise.

Louise?

Go away!

I'm dreaming.

No, papa.

You're not dreaming.

Dear child! (gasping)

Dear child! (sobbing)

Forgive me.

Why isn't this, I can't.

Let me see you.

How beautiful you are!

So, so elegant.

Life at court must suit you.

Oh, if only you knew how little.

Dearest papa,

please forgive me.

What, why do you blame yourself?

If I had not rejected the attentions of Monsieur Fouquet.

Fouquet?

That lecher!

Shh, we may be heard.

It would be better if I were Fouquet's mistress,

and you were free.

Never!

I'd rather rot here.

He said that if I gave myself to him.

Do they never!

I must accept his bargain.

No!

No!

Mademoiselle!

My father and I,

thank you

for your kindness.

Why do you stare at me so?

It's just that you resemble.

Who?

An acquaintance.

Do not be afraid.

How could I harm anyone so beautiful?

But you must tell me.

I must know.

It is time.

Give me some light.

You there, come here.

What is it you see?

Leave him alone!

Monsieur, monsieur, monsieur.

See how the hawk and the falcon conspire together?

I wonder what evil they are hatching.

Fouquet.

The master juggler at work.

The national treasury plundered.

The very wealth of funds smoothly channelled

into personal glory in his chateau at Vaux.

Maybe we'll see him pay it back one day.

But look at the real scourge of France.

This water lily who calls himself a king.

Patience, D'Artagnan.

Remember, Louis still wears the crown and bears the sceptre.

Any action against him must be a last recourse.

It cannot be soon enough for me.

Fouquet has ears everywhere.

He must not never get wind of our plans

until we are ready to act.

I will count the minutes till the day.

I tell you.

He lives!

Where?

The Bastille.

Though God knows what stroke of fate

put him there for me to find.

Fate?

This was the work of those jealous

of my power over the King.

Colbert?

As I've long suspected that venerated

Minister of the Interior to have a plot to do me damage.

But a move so bold as this,

is not only against me, it's...

Could be treason.

Delicious.

I'll hang the old fox yet!

Are you absolutely sure it's the boy?

The protege of Cardinal Mazarin, not just some look-alike?

The resemblance is too perfect.

It has to be.

We must be certain.

Must be.

Who are you?

What do you want?

Who brought this prisoner here?

I don't know who arrested him.

The order was signed by some obscure prefecture in Burgundy.

No one must see that prisoner without my authorization.

Guard him well, or it will be your neck.

Rest assured, Minister!

Rest assured.

Beat that, Montfleury, if you can.

If you dare!

What, and risk another tantrum?

I shall miss by a league, my dear.

How brazenly de La Valliere

flirts with your husband, madame.

How openly your son encourages her, madame.

Oh, what a pity!

Ah, Fouquet, if you come to join the game, you are too late.

We are bored with it, and have found ourselves

a new distraction.

I seek a word in private with Your Majesty

on a matter of some urgency.

What a tedious man you are, Fouquet!

You haven't even asked the score.

I wager Your Majesty played as successfully as usual?

We have won every set.

Congratulations, Sire.

Come to our chambers later.

Much later.

How can you endure such humiliation with a smile?

Easily, madame, if it keeps him from my bedroom.

With a common country girl?