Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 142: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained
Valmont writes to Merteuil, acknowledging receipt of her letter and the epistolary model she provided.
What happens
Valmont writes to Merteuil, acknowledging receipt of her letter and the epistolary model she provided. He has copied and sent it to Madame de Tourvel without delay, expecting her to ruminate overnight. By noon, he has not yet received a reply and plans to wait until five o'clock before seeking one in person. He also inquires about the outcome of Merteuil's story concerning a man suspected of being unable to sacrifice a woman, and asks whether she perceives any love in his recent actions.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's strategic use of Merteuil's model letter to advance his seduction of Tourvel exemplifies calculated manipulation.
Epistolary Form and Unreliable Truth
The chapter highlights the epistolary form as a tool for deception, with Valmont copying and sending a premeditated letter to achieve his aims.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Author of the letter; he has copied and sent Merteuil's model to Tourvel and awaits her reply.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Recipient of the letter; Valmont references her story and epistolary model.
- Madame de Tourvel
The 'celestial Presidente' to whom Valmont sent the copied letter; he awaits her answer.
Key passages
“I don’t know, my charming friend, whether I have read or understood badly your letter, the little tale you relate, and the epistolary model it contains—But this I must say, the last is an original, and seems very proper to take effect; therefore I only copied it, and sent it without farther ceremony to the celestial Presidente.”
Valmont tells Merteuil that he may have misunderstood her letter and story, but he found the model letter she included to be excellent and effective, so he copied and sent it directly to Tourvel.
Valmont acknowledges Merteuil's influence and acts immediately on her suggested strategy.
“I expected to have sent you back this morning my well-beloved’s answer; it is now near twelve, and it is not yet come—I shall wait until five; and if I receive no news by that time, I shall in person seek it, for everything must be done according to form, and the difficulty is only in this first step.”
Valmont expected Tourvel's reply by morning but hasn't received it by noon; he will wait until five o'clock, and if still no word, he will go to her himself, believing the first step is the hardest.
Valmont's impatience and strategic planning reveal his calculated approach to seduction.