# Letter 139: 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, expressing regret for her earlier hasty letter that caused her friend distress. She joyfully announces that Valmont has been cleared of her suspicions, declaring him innocent and their love restored. She justifies her forgiveness by appealing to the idea that infidelity among men is not inconstancy, and she feels her happiness deepened by the fear of losing him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love, Virtue, and Corruption

Tourvel reconciles her love for Valmont with his infidelity by redefining his actions as a minor error, prioritizing emotional happiness over strict moral judgment.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Tourvel's justification that 'infidelity is not inconstancy' among men reveals a double standard that allows her to maintain the appearance of a virtuous love while excusing Valmont's betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Madame de Tourvel

The letter's author, who recounts her emotional journey from grief to ecstasy after reconciling with Valmont.

### Madame de Rosemonde

The recipient, whom Tourvel apologizes to for causing worry and whose judgment she invokes to justify her forgiveness.

### Viscount de Valmont

Defended by Tourvel as innocent and loving, with his infidelity dismissed as a trivial error.

## Key lines

> Valmont is innocent: with so much love there can be no guilt

Tourvel declares Valmont blameless, arguing that his love absolves him of any wrongdoing.

_This reflects her emotional reasoning, where love overrides objective judgment._

> you say among men infidelity is not inconstancy

Tourvel recalls Madame de Rosemonde's view that a man's unfaithfulness does not count as true inconstancy.

_She uses this societal double standard to justify forgiving Valmont's infidelity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-139-the-presidente-de-tourvel-to-madame-de-rosemonde
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters