Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 120: Viscount de Valmont to Father Anselmus explained
Valmont writes to Father Anselmus, requesting his help to arrange a meeting with Madame de Tourvel.
What happens
Valmont writes to Father Anselmus, requesting his help to arrange a meeting with Madame de Tourvel. He claims to have important papers for her and expresses a desire to apologize, make amends, and seek reconciliation. He portrays himself as repentant and eager to reform, asking for the priest's guidance and permission to share the letter with Tourvel.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's letter is a calculated act of manipulation, using religious language and feigned repentance to regain access to Tourvel.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a repentant sinner seeking virtue, while his true intentions are likely deceptive, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Father Anselmus, feigning repentance and requesting an interview with Madame de Tourvel to return papers and apologize.
- Madame de Tourvel
The subject of Valmont's letter; he seeks to meet her through Father Anselmus and claims to revere her as an instrument of his reform.
- Father Anselmus
The priest to whom Valmont addresses his letter, asking for mediation and guidance in his supposed repentance.
Key passages
“Not having the honour of being known to you, Sir, but thoroughly acquainted with the well-placed confidence Madame the Presidente de Tourvel reposes in you, I think I may address myself to you without being guilty of indiscretion, to obtain an essential piece of service, truly worthy your holy ministry, wherein Madame de Tourvel’s advantage is equally concerned with mine.”
Although we have not met, I know Madame de Tourvel trusts you, so I hope it is not improper to ask for your help in a matter that benefits both her and me.
Valmont establishes a pretext of shared benefit to gain the priest's cooperation.
“It cannot be until after this preliminary expiation, I shall dare, at your knees, make the humiliating, avowal of my long bad conduct, and implore your mediation, for a still more important, and, unhappily, a much more difficult reconciliation.”
Only after I have made this first apology to her will I be bold enough to confess my past sins to you and ask for your help in seeking a greater reconciliation.
Valmont stages a narrative of progressive repentance to appear sincere.