Benjamin Lavernhe credited as playing...
La Borde
- Jeanne du Barry: Always talk like that?
- La Borde: Like what?
- Jeanne du Barry: With that haughty air.
- La Borde: But this is Versailles, Madame.
- Jeanne du Barry: I cannot speak to the King like that.
- La Borde: I don't think he brought you here to speak.
- Jeanne du Barry: We never see the Queen?
- La Borde: She is discreet.
- Jeanne du Barry: She suffers her husband's unfaithfulness. Like all the queens of France.
- La Borde: The King admires her discretion. Her humility, her gentleness.
- Jeanne du Barry: All of France knows. He cheats nonstop, at the chateau, the Parc-aux-Cerfs.
- La Borde: The Queen cares about her children, religion. She is overwhelmingly distrustful of luxury and of people who... manage money poorly.
- La Borde: The one thing you must remember is never to turn your back to the King. If the King stands before you and you wish to turn away, you must do like this...
- [La Borde takes many tiny steps backward. Jeanne laughs]
- Jeanne du Barry: Joking?
- La Borde: Absolutely not. No one may turn his back to the King. Except the Dauphin. You hear?
- Jeanne du Barry: Yes! But... What if I skip the tiny steps?
- La Borde: His Majesty will see you lack grace.
- Jeanne du Barry: And?
- La Borde: He is very attuned to grace.
- Jeanne du Barry: Me too.
- La Borde: [teaching Jeanne how to behave around the King] I am the King. Look at me. Not in the eyes. Above all, never look the King in his eyes. Good.
- [Jeanne starts walking toward La Borde, looking into his eyes]
- La Borde: What did I just say? Eyes down.
- Jeanne du Barry: Or else?
- La Borde: Or else, it will be perceived by the Court as arrogance. Pride. Or, on the contrary, as an invitation.
- Jeanne du Barry: An invitation?
- La Borde: Yes.
- Jeanne du Barry: To?
- La Borde: Well... an invitation.
- Jeanne du Barry: To do what?
- La Borde: An invitation to... You understand.
- Jeanne du Barry: No.
- La Borde: Yes.
- Jeanne du Barry: To?
- La Borde: To philander.
- Jeanne du Barry: You make me laugh. May I express this feeling?
- La Borde: One does not show feelings at Court.