The Diary of a Chambermaid

Celestine begins her new position as a chambermaid at the Lanlaire family home, a rural mansion, with dreams of rising in society. She enters a household where ambition and social climbing are already in play. This initial placement sets the tone for the power dynamics that will unfold.

Monsieur Lanlaire grows fond of Celestine, preferring her company to his wife. Captain Mauger becomes obsessed with her and hints at marriage as a path to wealth. The rival interests around Celestine begin to shape the future of the household.

Georges, the Lanlaire son, temporarily returns home and his illness makes his presence fragile. Madame Lanlaire has Celestine dressed more attractively and pampered to keep Georges near. This manipulation reveals how Celestine is being used to influence the family’s fortunes.

Georges considers returning to Paris, and Madame Lanlaire intensifies her scheme to keep him by ensuring Celestine remains close. Celestine is ordered to bring broth to Georges in his room, blurring personal boundaries with household plans. She begins to see the manipulation at play.

Upset by the manipulation, Celestine quits and attempts to catch a ride into town with the valet Joseph. Joseph hints at stealing and improving their fortunes, trying to persuade Celestine to stay. The departure marks a turning point for Celestine’s independence.

Joseph reveals a plan to steal the Lanlaire silverware on Bastille Day and persuades Celestine to remain as his accomplice. She weighs the risks but agrees to stay and see the opportunity unfold. Tensions rise as loyalty and ambition clash.

Madame Lanlaire overhears the conversation and sabotages the silverware scheme. Joseph pivots to stealing Captain Mauger's hidden money instead. The shift broadens the scope of the household's schemes and Celestine remains at the center of the collision course.

Joseph sneaks into Captain Mauger's house while the captain is away celebrating. He begins a clandestine search for the hidden money, risking discovery by any guardian of Mauger's fortune. The scene heightens the danger surrounding Celestine's alliance with Joseph.

Captain Mauger returns and catches Joseph in the act, forcing a deadly confrontation. Joseph is compelled to kill the captain to escape, a turn that binds Celestine to a more precarious fate. He flees with the spoils of his crime.

Joseph informs the Lanlaires that he will quit his job and marry Celestine, an outcome that pleases Madame Lanlaire who has doubly noted Georges's affection for Celestine. She agrees to hand over the silverware if they depart the estate together. The household shifts toward a possible exit strategy.

The couple is delayed by the crowds in the village celebrating Bastille Day, allowing Georges to close the distance. The festive atmosphere paradoxically helps heighten the tension between pursuit and escape. Celestine and Joseph see a window opening to flee.

A confrontation erupts between Joseph and Georges on the road. Joseph is killed in the struggle, removing his rival and securing Georges's lead toward Celestine. The outcome leaves Georges free to pursue Celestine unimpeded.

Georges and Celestine decide to leave the estate together, seeking a new life away from the Lanlaire household. Their departure marks the final shift in loyalties and the end of the family’s scheming around Celestine. The couple starts a precarious but hopeful future.