Conquest (1937)

Henry Stephenson: Count Anastas Walewski

Quotes 

• Count Anastas Walewski : I am 75 years old, sire.

  Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte : And Madame is your first wife?

  Count Anastas Walewski : My third, sire.

  Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte : Let me congratulate you, Chamberlain, on your excellent taste. How old are you, Madame?

  Countess Marie Walewska : If that is a command, sire, it is one that women have a right to disobey.

  Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte : Very well spoken. I do not forget courage in either man or woman. Is this gentleman your son?

  Count Anastas Walewski : Yes, sire.

  Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte : And this?

  Count Anastas Walewski : My grandson.

  Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte : I congratulate you, Madame. For a grandmother, you are extraordinarily well preserved. I regret, I did not know you when you were young.

• Count Anastas Walewski : He sets a fast pace, your Emperor Bonaparte.

  Countess Marie Walewska : I suppose when a man plans to conquer so big a world he must hurry.

• Polish Senator : If we refuse him, Poland is lost. And there are rumors that Napolean is negotiating with Russia. If France and Russia were friends, think what would happen to Poland.

  Count Anastas Walewski : And if we comply?

  Polish Senator : We have no assurance, even then.

  Prince Poniatowski : That's why we've come to you.

  Count Anastas Walewski : To me, Prince?

  Polish Senator : Yes, my dear Count, you alone can help us. That is, may I point out to you, my dear Count, that at certain crises in history, the supreme sacrifice has been demanded of a people.

  Count Anastas Walewski : What sacrifice from Poland, can we make with honor, gentlemen, that we've not already made? With our sons and grandsons, have not already made?

  Countess Marie Walewska : Are you suggesting that I can succeed, while the Polish legions have failed? Is that true, gentlemen?

  Polish Senator : Yes. My dear child, I am an old man, I may call you that. Believe me if we could have spared you this, we would have given our lives, as we have given our goods and our pride. We have knelt to this man and he hasn't heard us. Perhaps he will hear you. We came to you because we believe the destiny of all of Poland has been put into your hands. If that is so, you cannot be dishonored. Perhaps you have been made beautiful that Poland might be made free. You are a woman. Napolean is, after all, only a man. And he may be moved, as men often are, to give without asking anything in return.

• Paul Lachinski : I've come with great news! The Emperor's in Poland.

  Countess Marie Walewska : Napolean here? Oh, now we're free!

  Count Anastas Walewski : I hope so.