# Letter 124: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-124-the-presidente-de-tourvel-to-madame-de-rosemonde
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters