-
Why don't you take a seat at the table Dear,
-
the carriage will not be here for a while,
-
so we have quite the time for a drink.
-
Champagne?
-
There.
-
Well,
-
what do you think of this invitation we received?
-
I don't know wether I should feel excited
-
or rather annoyed.
-
Of course there will be a few
-
new interesting people but
-
this is Lady Harrington's tea party after all
-
so we are to expect
-
a lot of window dressing as well I'm afraid.
-
And I'm not talking about decoration.
-
Good heavens, is this your purse?
-
You're not going with that, are you?
-
It looks like you've picked it up straight
-
from Madame de Bruges' closet
-
and that is saying a lot.
-
What do you have in there?
-
Oh dear that won't do.
-
Where on earth did you hear
-
that you must carry a wine cup with you?
-
Of course.
-
But if he could Monsieur Honoré would carry
-
an entire barrel with him.
-
This is where the habit
of adorning your face leads you.
-
(old french expression meaning "to get drunk")
-
Now let me show you my purse
-
and what's inside.
-
And take a leaf out my book,
-
It will do you good.
-
Isn't it exquisite?
-
Madame Catherine made it
-
according to my tastes.
-
Look at these details...
-
First there is this beautiful silver frame,
-
with flowers on each side,
-
and two cherubs at the top.
-
There's a tiny wreath.
-
And look at this brooch.
-
Gorgeous isn't it?
-
Shiny as a star.
-
Of course, green velvet.
-
Green is definitely my color.
-
And at the bottom:
-
pure jet beads.
-
These would shine even in the dark.
-
And on each side:
-
little silk knots and a silk button.
-
Ravishing detail...
-
Something even the queen
-
would not think about.
-
Of course your purse must not be too big
-
or too small.
-
This is the perfect size.
-
And inside...
-
It is lined with this beautiful
-
navy blue silk.
-
And we still have these ravishing little knots.
-
You see, it's beautiful even inside.
-
This is how it should be.
-
And first, we find
-
a fan.
-
My favorite one, made of fine wood
-
lace,
-
and nacre.
-
A true work of art.
-
And of course, this is shiny.
-
You don't want to go unnoticed, do you?
-
Look at these details.
-
There are silver and golden threads.
-
And at the back,
-
the wood is simply painted in black.
-
I always carry a black fan with me,
-
because it goes everything on any occasion.
-
Fan language?
-
Oh Dear, we perfectly know this is a joke.
-
We already have so much trouble
-
understanding each other,
-
so why would we bother adding a new code
-
that would be everything but clear?
-
Can you imagine a second?
-
A salon full of ladies sending messages
-
by waving their fan in every direction.
-
And on the other side
-
a bevy of gentlemen not knowing
-
which message was meant for them?
-
This is quite a horrifying vision.
-
But of course you can interpret a few demeanours
-
by observing how certain women
-
play with their fan.
-
For example,
-
if you see the Duchesse du Marais
-
waving it very quickly in front of her face,
-
blushing,
-
you can bet she has just met her heart's desire.
-
Or that she went too close to the fireplace
-
and can't stand the heat anymore.
-
What else...
-
A bit of money.
-
You never know when you may need some.
-
So what do I have here...
-
A few coins.
-
These have seen many pockets already.
-
One sou, and 2 half a sou.
-
This one is pretty actually,
-
I might keep it.
-
And...
-
Yes, a few banknotes.
-
1, 2, 3.
-
5 pounds, 5 pounds.
-
And this one is a bit more...
-
"Paper money, 3 sous, to be exchanged
-
for 5 pounds banknotes"
-
Alright.
-
Keep this one for you,
-
and go to Madame Catherine for me,
-
you will need it.
-
What do I have next...
-
Rouge of course.
-
My maid makes it for me
-
and she knows exactly what shade I need.
-
She always chooses the most delightful
-
boxes to put it in.
-
Nacre again.
-
Lovely isn't it?
-
Look at this shade...
-
And, of course,
-
I always carry a handkerchief with me.
-
It can be very useful if you ever need to
-
drop it on the floor
-
so someone can pick it up for you.
-
The prettiest the better.
-
This one is delicately embellished
-
with the finest laces.
-
French lace of course.
-
And
-
look at these embroideries...
-
Flowers.
-
It's very soft.
-
And of course,
-
I put a bit of perfume on it.
-
It is essential
-
especially if you want to save your nose
-
from an unwelcome smell.
-
And you might need to,
-
Madame de Bruges will be here today.
-
It will be even better
-
with a bit of rouge on it.
-
Is it..?
-
No.
-
Let's fold it again.
-
Perfect.
-
This is how you want it to be.
-
And...
-
Oh, this is getting interesting.
-
Today's correspondence.
-
And only mine this time.
-
I haven't had the occasion
-
to read it yet.
-
There's a letter from lady Ashwood.
-
Just give me a minute.
-
(french unintelligible whispers).
-
How saucy.
-
So it looks like Madame Saint Ange
-
finally let the cat go to the cheese.
-
(old french expression meaning
"give in to somebody's advances")
-
I'll keep the rest for later.
-
A letter from the Baron.
-
Too late.
-
"Leave your place, and you loose it".
-
What's next...
-
Oh, my glasses.
-
My eyesight is not what it used to be anymore.
-
So I always carry my spectacles with me.
-
Look at these:
-
made of silver,
-
with a beautiful glass stone at the middle.
-
Green of course.
-
Sometimes I also use them at the Opera.
-
But the best scenes are not always on stage,
-
are they?
-
And look how it matches
-
my favorite ring.
-
Think about it.
-
And finally...
-
A small piece of needlework.
-
Of course I didn't do it myself.
-
Can you imagine, me embroidering
-
in front of the fireplace?
-
But in ladies society,
-
it can be very useful to pretend
-
you're focusing on a craft,
-
and let your ears wander here and there.
-
You can learn many things.
-
My maid made it for me,
-
obviously she's better at making rouge
-
than at embroidering, isn't she?
-
So she made this little white flower.
-
And green leaves...
-
One, two, and three.
-
So right now I'm just pretending
-
I'm finishing this one here.
-
What it should be at the end,
-
I have no idea.
-
Is there anything left..?
-
Oh, you might recognize this.
-
It is supposed to be you actually.
-
I always carry it with me
-
so I can remember the good times
-
we had together.
-
A tower,
-
proud and loyal,
-
just like you.
-
Oh the carriage is here at last.
-
Take your bag Dear,
-
or any other name you'd give to that thing.
-
We are awaited.
-
Who knows...
-
We might meet very useful people tonight.
-
If we behave properly.
-
And be careful,
-
the first impression could be the right one.