Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 109: Cecilia Volanges to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained
Cecilia writes to Madame de Merteuil, confessing that she has begun to enjoy her secret affair with Valmont and that her guilt over Danceny is fading.
What happens
Cecilia writes to Madame de Merteuil, confessing that she has begun to enjoy her secret affair with Valmont and that her guilt over Danceny is fading. She describes Valmont's charm, their nighttime meetings, and her confusion about love and marriage. She seeks reassurance that Danceny will love her more for her infidelity and promises to lie to her mother about the marriage plans.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's seduction of Cecilia continues, with Merteuil's encouragement; Cecilia is manipulated into believing the affair is harmless and that Danceny will benefit from it.
Innocence and Experience
Cecilia's naive perspective shifts as she begins to enjoy the physical pleasures of the affair, yet she remains childlike in her trust of Merteuil and Valmont.
Characters to notice
- Cecilia Volanges
The letter's author; she is conflicted but increasingly comfortable with Valmont's attentions, and seeks Merteuil's approval.
- Viscount de Valmont
Cecilia's seducer; he visits her at night, tells her comical stories about her mother, and proposes they meet in his chamber to avoid discovery.
- Chevalier Danceny
Cecilia's true love; she still thinks of him with melancholy and hopes to be with him after marriage.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
The recipient of the letter; Cecilia seeks her guidance and reassurance about the affair and her future with Danceny.
- Madame de Volanges
Cecilia's mother; Valmont tells stories about her that Cecilia finds hard to believe, and Cecilia fears being sent to a convent if discovered.
Key passages
“I kept it four days, often under great apprehensions lest it should be discovered; but concealed it carefully; and when a fit of dullness seized me, I locked myself up to read it again.”
Cecilia hid Merteuil's letter for four days, reading it in secret whenever she felt bored or low.
Shows Cecilia's growing secrecy and emotional dependence on Merteuil's guidance.
“I begin to think what I imagined so great a misfortune, is a trifling thing; I own there is a deal of pleasure in it; so that I begin to be tolerably easy.”
Cecilia now sees her affair with Valmont as less of a disaster and more of a pleasure, making her feel at ease.
Highlights her moral shift from guilt to acceptance under Valmont's influence.
“My greatest consolation is, you promise me Danceny will love me the more for it: are you very sure of it?”
Cecilia clings to Merteuil's assurance that Danceny will love her more because of her unfaithfulness, but she seeks confirmation.
Reveals Cecilia's naivety and Merteuil's manipulative hold over her.