Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 107: Azolan to the Viscount de Valmont explained
Azolan reports to Valmont on his activities after Madame de Tourvel's sudden return to Paris.
What happens
Azolan reports to Valmont on his activities after Madame de Tourvel's sudden return to Paris. He describes her melancholic behavior, her refusal to see visitors, her reading of religious and sentimental works, and her letter-writing. He also notes that he has secured the cooperation of Julie, Tourvel's maid, and intercepted a letter to M. de Tourvel, which he encloses for Valmont.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Azolan's detailed surveillance and manipulation of Tourvel's household serve Valmont's seduction strategy.
Epistolary Form and Unreliable Truth
The chapter reveals the interception and interpretation of letters, highlighting the constructed and partial nature of truth in the narrative.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Recipient of Azolan's report; Azolan follows his orders and seeks his approval.
- Madame de Tourvel
Subject of surveillance; she has returned to Paris, is deeply distressed, writes letters, and seeks confession.
- Julie
Tourvel's maid; provides information to Azolan and agrees to cooperate in intercepting letters.
- M. Bertrand
Valmont's steward; pays Azolan but refuses extra funds for Philip.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Mentioned as a recipient of one of Tourvel's letters, which Azolan allowed to be sent.
Key passages
“I asked him for two more for Philip, who was to set off immediately, as your honour had ordered, and who had no money; but your steward would not give them, as he said he had not any order from your honour to that purpose; so I was obliged to give them to myself, and which your honour will be pleased to observe.”
Azolan had to pay Philip from his own funds because the steward refused to advance the money without direct orders.
Azolan justifies his unauthorized expense to Valmont.
“I then found an opportunity of doing what your honour wished most for, for I carried the letters to the post office. There was none for Madame de Volanges; but I send your honour one for Monsieur the President; I thought that might be the most necessary.”
Azolan intercepted Tourvel's outgoing mail and sends her letter to her husband to Valmont.
Azolan prioritizes the letter to Tourvel's husband as most valuable for Valmont's schemes.