Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 111: Count Gercourt to Madame de Volanges explained
Count Gercourt writes to Madame de Volanges from Corsica, informing her of the peaceful situation there and his expectation of returning to France.
What happens
Count Gercourt writes to Madame de Volanges from Corsica, informing her of the peaceful situation there and his expectation of returning to France. He mentions that his cousin, the Duke of ⸻, has been recalled from Naples and wishes Gercourt to accompany him on a tour of Italy for six weeks to two months. Gercourt expresses a desire to take this opportunity, as he will not be able to travel freely after marriage, and suggests postponing the wedding until winter when his relations will be in Paris. He leaves the final decision to Madame de Volanges, promising to abide by her wishes.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Social Standing
Gercourt's deference to Madame de Volanges and his concern for the opinions of his relations (the Duke and Marquis) highlight the importance of family alliances and social obligations in aristocratic marriage arrangements.
Characters to notice
- Count Gercourt
Writes to Madame de Volanges from Bastia, Corsica, discussing his return to France and a proposed journey to Italy with his cousin.
- Madame de Volanges
Recipient of Gercourt's letter; he seeks her approval regarding a delay in the marriage to her daughter.
- Cecilia Volanges
Mentioned as Mademoiselle de Volanges, the intended bride of Gercourt.
Key passages
“Everything in this country, Madam, has the most pacific appearance, and we daily expect orders to return to France.”
The situation here is very peaceful, and we are expecting to be ordered back to France any day.
Gercourt sets the context of his current location and the calm state of affairs.
“I will not conceal from you, it would be very agreeable to me to embrace this opportunity. For when once married, I shall not readily undertake any journeys but those the service will require; perhaps, it would be also more convenient to postpone the ceremony until winter, as all my relations will not be in Paris until then, particularly the Marquis de ⸻, to whom I am indebted for the hope of being allied to you.”
I admit I would very much like to take this trip, since after marriage I won't be free to travel except for duty. It might also be better to delay the wedding until winter, when my relatives—especially the Marquis, who helped arrange this match—will be in Paris.
Gercourt explains his personal desire for the journey and proposes a postponement of the marriage for practical and social reasons.