# Letter 12: Cecilia Volanges to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Cecilia writes to Madame de Merteuil to explain that her mother is unwell and she must stay home, missing the opera. She expresses affection for Merteuil and asks her to relay a message to Danceny about a collection he promised to bring.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence and Experience

Cecilia's naive affection for Merteuil and her simple request to relay a message to Danceny highlight her innocence and lack of awareness of the manipulative dynamics at play.

### Epistolary Form and Unreliable Truth

The letter is a straightforward social note, but its content—a request to pass a message—hints at the hidden correspondence and secret relationships that drive the plot.

## Character check-ins

### Cecilia Volanges

The writer; regrets missing the opera and asks Merteuil to pass a message to Danceny.

### Marchioness de Merteuil

Recipient of the letter; Cecilia expresses affection and asks for her help.

### Chevalier Danceny

Mentioned as the recipient of a message about a collection; Cecilia hopes he will visit.

### Madame de Volanges

Cecilia's mother, who is indisposed and not receiving visitors.

## Key lines

> Madam, My Mamma is indisposed; she will not go out today, and I must keep her company: thus I am deprived the honour of attending you to the opera.

My mother is unwell and staying home, so I cannot join you at the opera.

_Cecilia politely explains her absence due to her mother's illness._

> Be so good to tell the Chevalier Danceny, I have not yet got the collection which he mentioned, and that if he can bring it himself tomorrow, I shall be obliged to him.

Please tell Chevalier Danceny that I still don't have the collection he spoke of, and I would appreciate it if he could bring it tomorrow.

_Cecilia asks Merteuil to relay a message about a promised collection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-12-cecilia-volanges-to-the-marchioness-de-merteuil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters