Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 124: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde explained
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde in astonishment over news that Valmont has reformed and wishes to return her letters via Father Anselmus.
What happens
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde in astonishment over news that Valmont has reformed and wishes to return her letters via Father Anselmus. She struggles with her lingering love and the humiliation of his indifference, resolves to conquer her pride, and seeks Madame de Rosemonde's friendship and guidance to restore her virtue and peace.
Themes in this chapter
Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Tourvel's internal conflict between her love for Valmont and her desire for virtue is central, as she grapples with the pain of his reformation and her own perceived weakness.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Tourvel suspects Valmont's reformation may be a facade, and she herself struggles to appear composed while hiding her emotional turmoil.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Tourvel
Writes in turmoil about Valmont's reformation and her own suffering.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Recipient of the letter; Tourvel seeks her friendship and guidance.
- Viscount de Valmont
Reported to have reformed; plans to return Tourvel's letters.
- Father Anselmus
Announces Valmont's reformation and arranges the meeting.
Key passages
“M. de Valmont’s thoughts are no longer taken up with me or his love; he wishes nothing more ardently, than to repair, by a more edifying life, the faults, or rather the errors of his youth.”
Valmont has abandoned his feelings for me and now seeks to live a more virtuous life to atone for his past mistakes.
Tourvel reports Valmont's reformation as announced by Father Anselmus.
“Let me fly this destructive passion, which leaves no choice between shame and misery, and often reunites them:—let prudence then replace virtue.”
I must escape this ruinous love that offers only shame or suffering, and let caution take the place of virtue.
Tourvel resolves to overcome her passion through prudence.