Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 173: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde explained
Madame de Volanges writes to Madame de Rosemonde, tormented by suspicions about her daughter Cecilia.
What happens
Madame de Volanges writes to Madame de Rosemonde, tormented by suspicions about her daughter Cecilia. She fears Cecilia may have been seduced by Danceny and considers marriage as a remedy. She also recounts the public humiliation of Madame de Merteuil at the Italian comedy, followed by her illness with smallpox, seeing it as divine punishment.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Madame de Volanges grapples with the gap between her daughter's apparent piety and the possible reality of her seduction; Merteuil's public shaming reveals the collapse of her carefully maintained facade.
Revenge and Cruelty
The public humiliation of Merteuil at the opera, orchestrated by societal scorn and possibly Prevan's return, exemplifies collective cruelty as revenge for her past manipulations.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Volanges
Writes to Madame de Rosemonde, expressing anguish over her daughter's fate and seeking confirmation of her worst fears.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Recipient of the letter; Madame de Volanges appeals to her friendship for clarity about Cecilia.
- Cecilia Volanges
Subject of her mother's fears; suspected of having been seduced by Danceny and possibly entering a convent out of despair.
- Chevalier Danceny
Implied as the possible seducer of Cecilia; Madame de Volanges considers demanding he marry her to repair the injury.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Publicly humiliated at the Italian comedy, then stricken with smallpox; Madame de Volanges sees this as divine punishment.
Key passages
“Alas, my dear friend! with what a frightful veil do you cover the fate of my daughter; and seem to dread I should raise it!”
Madame de Volanges laments that Madame de Rosemonde is hiding the truth about Cecilia, making her fears worse.
Expresses the mother's anguish and the theme of hidden truths.
“I now recall to mind several circumstances that may strengthen this apprehension.”
She reinterprets past events as possible signs of Cecilia's seduction.
Shows how suspicion colors memory and interpretation.
“This so pointed mark of general indignation was applauded by all the men, redoubled the murmurs, which, it is said, were even at last increased to hootings.”
The entire audience openly showed their contempt for Merteuil, with men joining in and the noise turning to jeers.
Describes the public shaming of Merteuil.
“On my word, I think it would be the greatest happiness if it should carry her off.”
Madame de Volanges hopes Merteuil's smallpox will prove fatal.
Reveals the depth of societal condemnation and personal wish for punishment.