# Letter 136: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Madame de Tourvel writes to Valmont after a painful encounter, demanding the return of her letters and accusing him of contempt and insult. She acknowledges her own foolishness in trusting him but insists she did not deserve such cruel treatment, and she breaks off all future contact.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Tourvel reflects on being a victim of Valmont's infatuation and manipulation, acknowledging her misplaced trust.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Tourvel contrasts the public's judgment of the weak versus the depraved, highlighting the gap between her inner virtue and Valmont's outward charm.

## Character check-ins

### Madame de Tourvel

Writes a letter of reproach and final separation, demanding her letters back and accusing Valmont of contempt.

### Viscount de Valmont

The recipient of the letter, accused of destroying her sentiment and exposing her to insult.

## Key lines

> I own, I was very wrong in placing a confidence in you, of which so many before me have been victims; I accuse no one but myself

I admit I was foolish to trust you, as many others have been, and I blame only myself.

_Tourvel takes full responsibility for her misplaced trust, acknowledging Valmont's pattern of betrayal._

> I imagined, that making a sacrifice of everything, and giving up for you my pretensions to the esteem of others, as also my own, I might have expected not to be treated by you with more severity than by the public

I thought that by sacrificing my reputation and self-respect for you, I would at least be treated no worse than the public would treat me.

_Tourvel expresses her expectation of basic decency from Valmont, which he has failed to provide._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-136-the-presidente-de-tourvel-to-the-viscount-de-valmont
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