# Letter 155: The Viscount de Valmont to the Chevalier Danceny explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Valmont writes to Danceny, revealing that he knows of Danceny's planned rendezvous with a charming woman. He then informs Danceny that he has also arranged for Danceny to meet with Cecilia Volanges, who has succeeded in removing obstacles to their meeting. Valmont presents Danceny with a choice between the two women, offering manipulative advice on how to handle the situation, and expresses his own despair over being separated from Madame de Tourvel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont manipulates Danceny by presenting him with a calculated choice between two women, using psychological tactics to influence his decision.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Valmont presents himself as a friend while secretly orchestrating Danceny's romantic dilemmas, revealing the gap between outward friendship and hidden motives.

### Love, Virtue, and Corruption

The contrast between Cecilia's innocent love and the 'common intriguer' highlights the tension between genuine affection and corrupt, pleasure-seeking behavior.

## Character check-ins

### Viscount de Valmont

Writes to Danceny, revealing his knowledge of Danceny's affairs and manipulating his choices.

### Chevalier Danceny

Recipient of the letter; Valmont presents him with a choice between a rendezvous with a charming woman and a meeting with Cecilia.

### Cecilia Volanges

Has succeeded in arranging a meeting with Danceny, but is displeased by his lack of attention.

### Madame de Tourvel

Valmont expresses desperation at being separated from her, lamenting his current state.

## Key lines

> I called on you twice, my dear Chevalier; but since you have thrown off the character of a lover for the man of intrigue, you are very properly invisible

I visited you twice, but now that you've abandoned the role of a lover for that of a schemer, you're conveniently nowhere to be found.

_Valmont accuses Danceny of shifting from sincere lover to a manipulative player in romantic games._

> Placed between coquetry and love, pleasure and happiness, which will you choose?

Caught between flirtation and true love, between fleeting pleasure and lasting happiness, which path will you take?

_Valmont frames Danceny's dilemma as a moral choice between superficial enjoyment and genuine emotional fulfillment._

> I am in a state of desperation at being separated from her; and I would lay down one half my life, to devote the other to her.

I am utterly desperate without her; I would sacrifice half my life just to spend the rest with her.

_Valmont expresses dramatic longing for Madame de Tourvel, contrasting his manipulative advice with his own professed devotion._

## Links

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