# Letter 117: Cecilia Volanges to the Chevalier Danceny explained — Dangerous Liaisons

> Chapter companion for Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

## What happens

Cecilia writes to Danceny, defending her refusal to grant his requests and explaining her fears about marriage to Gercourt. She hopes to win her mother's favor and avoid reproach, while expressing her love and desire for Danceny's continued affection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont dictates Cecilia's letter, using her as a tool to manipulate Danceny and advance his own schemes.

### Innocence and Experience

Cecilia's naive attempts to balance love and duty reveal her innocence, while her fears about marriage reflect a dawning awareness of adult consequences.

## Character check-ins

### Cecilia Volanges

Writes to Danceny, torn between her love for him and her fear of future consequences, and influenced by Valmont's dictation.

### Chevalier Danceny

Recipient of Cecilia's letter; she addresses his anger and requests, reaffirming her love while refusing his demands.

### Viscount de Valmont

Dictates the letter to Cecilia, manipulating her correspondence to serve his own ends.

### Count Gercourt

Mentioned as the cause of trouble and the man Cecilia is destined to marry, whom she already hates.

### Madame de Volanges

Cecilia's mother, who is pleased with her and whom Cecilia tries to caress to possibly avoid the marriage.

## Key lines

> Do you think my dear friend there is any necessity to be angry with me to make me melancholy, when I know you to be in affliction; and do you think I have not my share of sufferings as well as you?

Cecilia asks Danceny why he must be angry to make her sad, reminding him that she also suffers and shares his pain.

_Cecilia appeals to Danceny's empathy, asserting her own emotional burden._

> I promise you, if I cannot avoid marrying M. de Gercourt, who I already hate without knowing him, nothing shall prevent me from being yours as much as I can, even before anything, as I do not mind being loved by any but you

Cecilia vows that if she cannot escape marrying Gercourt, she will still give herself to Danceny as much as possible, since she only wants his love.

_Cecilia expresses her commitment to Danceny despite the impending arranged marriage._

## Links

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