He sustained mortal wounds in fruitless battle
on the wild banks of the Brandywine River.
Bad enough he had the audacity to defy His Majesty's orders.
But to get himself killed?
That imbecile.
The marquis is said to have arrived in Philadelphia
with a letter of recommendation from Dr. Franklin.
Our friend in Passy is a man of secrets.
Too many.
Perhaps--
Perhaps we can take the attention off America
by using this to our advantage.
No.
Yes.
I thought the chevalier d'Éon was banished for life.
A matter of state secrets.
The King has agreed to let the chevalier return
and receive a pension for service in His Majesty's dragoons.
So long as he-- she-- they-- agree not to bring up old grievances.
And promise to dress in women's clothes at all times.
Is the chevalier a woman?
How's your English?
Good. You will severely reprimand Dr. Franklin
for his participation in Lafayette's illicit departure.
About which we have no knowledge. Hmm?
Do we have no knowledge?
This is no time to discuss whether we know what we know.
Take me back!
Let's go!
Dip your brush very lightly in the pigment.
An aquarelle should be transparent. Like a pane of stained glass on paper.
I'll never be as good as you.
That is why we practice.
What does Dr. Franklin think of your paintings?
I'm not painting for Dr. Franklin. I'm painting for myself.
I'm sure he would admire them.
Dr. Franklin admires everything about you.
I don't think Franklinet would care about my paintings.
Who or what is Franklinet?
Monsieur Temple.
Because he's like his grandfather, only smaller.
Do you have feelings for him?
I like teasing him.
It's very amusing to see him get twisted up.
Don't overdo it.
Men have a way of misunderstanding the intent.
You tease Dr. Franklin all the time.
That is a game best left to experts.
Pipou, shush.
I said shush!
We've forgotten the malachite green.
Does it matter?
We can't possibly capture the light on the leaves without it.
You'll find a packet in the studio.
Right now?
Go fetch it.
And don't sulk.
And take Pipou with you.
When I'm married, I'm going to tell everyone else what to do.
It makes me want to kill Englishmen even more.
He came to my rooms--
The night he left for Bordeaux, he came to my rooms.
You never told me.
Slipped through the window
in full regimental colors.
He had a sword made for me. Specially for me.
When I told him I wouldn't be coming...
he took the blade and broke it over his knee.
Another round!
Another round, please!
He was quite hopeless, you know. So awkward.
Always so serious--
Remember that time he danced with the queen?
Gilbert danced with Marie Antoinette?
If you want to call it that. It was more like...
Let's show him. I'll play the queen.
Come on.
- Go ahead. - Minuet!
I shall dance with you no more, Marquis. You are too clumsy!
To Gilbert.
To the marquis.
To the marquis de Lafayette.
The marquis de Lafayette!
Go search the park!
Would you please slow down?
I can't. Too much to do.
Then why are we meeting?
How does it happen that what passes at Versailles
is so quickly known in London?
Explain yourself.
Three ships sailed from Le Havre.
Two were seized by the British less than two days after leaving port.
Sweet blood of Christ. That's five million livres.
Only the Amphitrite eluded the enemy.
Arms, ammunition and handkerchiefs for 30,000 men--
Handkerchiefs? I am paying for handkerchiefs?
Blankets, clothes, shoes. Thousands of muskets and kegs of powder
to defend Philadelphia and New England.
Answer honestly. Were you put on earth to bankrupt me?
Someone has betrayed us!
Only Beaumarchais, yourself and Dr. Franklin
knew the date of departure and the route.
Are you suggesting that Dr. Franklin is a spy for the British?
Or me?
Or yourself?
Are you saying you might be the traitor,
so I'll think you're not, even though you really are?
Perhaps someone within your household, or among Dr. Franklin's associates--
- Monsieur Beaumarchais-- - I know what you're going to say.
"Beaumarchais never stops!"
How can he, when every day new subjects arouse his vigilance?
That is definitely not what I was going to say.
Leave the investigation to me.
Inform Dr. Franklin of the losses, but say nothing of our suspicions.
To anyone.
What about my money?
You look miserable.
My dear papa.
That man. In the blue hat.
What is his secret?
Oh, it's so sad.
Then you pick.
Tell me.
What is it?
Not at all.
What sort is he?
A man of many parts.
I don't understand.
But why?
I am very sorry.
Of all the places...
Why haven't you paid a call yet?
What a delight that we meet at last.
May I present my neighbor, Madame Brillon?
I am familiar with the widow Helvétius.
But she wishes she wasn't!
You're a randy old liar, aren't you?
I like that. Farewell.
And you, madame.
Am I in heaven?
He's alive!
He's alive?
They made him a general! He's alive!
Alive, and a general!
Better he was dead. Now he'll be intolerable!
He's alive!
Gilbert is alive!
He's alive!
I'm summoned to your office because--
Simply for a casual conversation, my dear Necker.
I wanted a word--
If that word is "America", I don't wish to hear it.
Unlike the marquis de Lafayette,
France cannot afford to purchase glory at the cost of her fortune.
A British defeat will ensure our prosperity.
And how would you have us pay for this glorious triumph, Monsieur Vergennes?
I'm sure the royal treasurer
will be pleased to tell me why we can't.
The king's creditors won't stomach any further debt,
and raising taxes is out of the question.
Let George III bankrupt his country
and save us the trouble of bankrupting ours.
Is this the advice you intend to render in council?
You are quite alone in your support of the insurgents, Count Vergennes.
But I wish the best of luck to you... and them.
Tired of country living, Doctor?
What a lot of fuss, eh?
You don't care for the opera?
I'm only here because my wife dragged me.
She just wants to gawk at the chevalière d'Éon.
Can't blame her, really.
And here is the lady you so admire.
Don't make too late a night of it.
You probably don't even want to talk to me now,
with all your famous friends.
How exciting to know a real hero!
Gilbert? I'm just glad he's alive.
As an ouverture in tonight's performance,
Beaumarchais has the pleasure to welcome back
a loyal subject of France.
A decorated officer who served the late king,
I give you the chevalière Charles-Geneviève-Louise-
Auguste-Andrée-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Sons and daughters of France.
I kiss the ground of our homeland,
from which I have been separated for too long.
I am honored tonight to be in the presence of another true patriot.
I speak, of course, of Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
In the last war, our countries were enemies.
I hope they will soon be united against England.
The chevalière is most generous.
And I am humbled
that such a brave soldier of France would offer assistance to our cause.
Should her sword be required--
I would
gladly seize the...
He wants to seize her sword!
Ladies and gentlemen.
Chevalière.
I give you a toast.
What did he say?
The English have conquered the American capitol.
Look at Chaumont.
He's shitting his breeches.
You have it backward, Mr. Stormont.
Philadelphia has taken General Howe.
Well played, Dr. Franklin!
Careful.
HERE IS MY SWORD, DOCTOR
Look who it is.
Good evening, Monsieur Jacques.
Good evening, Monsieur Chaumont.
Why weren't you in the audience tonight?
Don't you favor us anymore?
The cares of the world, my little cabbages.
Let us relieve you of them.
If only it were that simple.
Who's this little kitten?
He's no kitten. He's a lion, ready to pounce.
What's your name, oh, king of animals?
But I've come to worship you.
I'm going to put him in a crib and take him home!
I opened in Marivaux tonight. And you couldn't be bothered.
I'll never forgive myself.
A Spanish count came back after the show and offered me half of Naples.
In exchange for what?
It was open to negotiation.
How ashamed I am that I only brought you this.
You brought a servant?
I brought a friend.
What's the matter, kitten?
Were you banished from paradise?
Just bored.
Let's see if we can spark your interest.
Come on, little lion. I won't bite.
Unless you want me to.
VICTORY AT SARATOGA - THE ENGLISH SURRENDER
LAFAYETTE THE HERO