Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 165: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde explained
Madame de Volanges informs Madame de Rosemonde of the death of Madame de Tourvel, who expired at eleven o'clock the previous night.
What happens
Madame de Volanges informs Madame de Rosemonde of the death of Madame de Tourvel, who expired at eleven o'clock the previous night. She describes how Tourvel briefly regained consciousness upon hearing of Valmont's death, prayed for God's mercy and forgiveness for Valmont, then received Father Anselmus, and died peacefully after a day of prayers and fainting fits. Madame de Volanges reflects on the tragic loss of such a virtuous woman and mentions that her own daughter Cecilia is indisposed upon hearing the news.
Themes in this chapter
Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Tourvel's final prayer for Valmont's forgiveness highlights the tension between her love for him and her virtuous religious devotion, even as she succumbs to grief.
Innocence and Experience
Madame de Volanges reflects on Tourvel's former happiness and virtue, contrasting it with the tragic outcome of a single imprudent act, illustrating the loss of innocence.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
The serene resignation of Tourvel at death contrasts with the violent emotions and ruin that preceded it, underscoring the gap between outward piety and inner turmoil.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Volanges
Narrates the letter, describing the death of Madame de Tourvel and her own grief.
- Madame de Rosemonde
The recipient of the letter, mourning the loss of her nephew Valmont and now Tourvel.
- Madame de Tourvel
Dies at eleven o'clock the previous night after briefly regaining consciousness, praying for Valmont's forgiveness, and receiving last rites.
- Viscount de Valmont
His death is mentioned as the cause of Tourvel's final anguish; she prays for God's mercy upon him.
- Father Anselmus
Visits Tourvel at four o'clock, stays an hour, and administers the last rites, weeping throughout.
- Cecilia Volanges
Mentioned as being indisposed after hearing of the two deaths; put to bed by her mother.
Key passages
“We lost her at eleven o’clock last night.”
She died at eleven o'clock last night.
Madame de Volanges announces the death of Madame de Tourvel.
“Almighty God! I submit to thy just judgment: but in thy mercy forgive Valmont.”
God, I accept your judgment, but please have mercy and forgive Valmont.
Tourvel's final prayer, asking God to forgive Valmont despite her own suffering.
“Such an assemblage of virtues! so many attractions and accomplishments! so sweet, so amiable! a husband she loved, and by whom she was adored! a circle of friends, in whom she delighted, and was the delight! a figure, youth, fortune! so many united advantages are lost by one act of imprudence!”
She had so many virtues, charms, and blessings—a loving husband, devoted friends, youth, and wealth—all destroyed by a single reckless mistake.
Madame de Volanges laments how one imprudent act ruined Tourvel's otherwise perfect life.