Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 47: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained
Valmont writes to Merteuil explaining his delay in returning to Paris.
What happens
Valmont writes to Merteuil explaining his delay in returning to Paris. He recounts a night of debauchery at the Countess de B⸺'s country seat, where he joined a supper party hosted by a Dutch burgomaster. Valmont and the courtesan Emily conspire to get the Dutchman drunk, then Valmont sends him away in his own carriage and stays the night with Emily. He uses Emily as a desk to write a letter to Madame de Tourvel, describing his infidelity. Valmont encloses the letter for Merteuil to post and arranges to meet her later.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont manipulates Emily and the Dutchman for his own amusement, and uses the situation to write a provocative letter to Tourvel.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a devoted suitor to Tourvel while engaging in debauchery, highlighting the gap between his public persona and private actions.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Narrates his debauchery with Emily and the Dutchman, and his plan to visit Merteuil.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Recipient of the letter; Valmont asks her to post his letter to Tourvel and arranges a meeting.
- Emily
Courtesan who serves as Valmont's desk for writing to Tourvel; she participates in the drunken scheme.
- Madame de Tourvel
Valmont writes to her while in bed with Emily, describing his infidelity.
- Cecilia Volanges
Valmont mentions he will see her at Madame de Volanges' house.
Key passages
“I shall not see you today, my charming friend; and I will give you my reasons, which I hope you will accept with your usual good nature.”
Valmont explains to Merteuil why he cannot visit her today, expecting her to understand.
Opens the letter with a playful excuse for his absence.
“The only difficulty was to bring Emily to consent, in whom the burgomaster’s riches had raised some scruples: however, after some solicitation, I brought her at length to consent to my scheme, which was, to fill this little beer hogshead with wine, and thus get rid of him.”
Valmont convinces Emily to help him get the Dutchman drunk so he can take his place.
Describes the manipulation of both Emily and the Dutchman for Valmont's pleasure.
“This condescension is a return for that she has just had for me, in submitting to serve me as a desk to write to my lovely devotee, to whom it struck me as a pleasant thought, to write in bed with, and almost in the arms of, a girl, where I was interrupted by a complete infidelity.”
Valmont uses Emily as a writing surface to compose a letter to Tourvel while in bed with her, finding amusement in the irony.
Highlights Valmont's cruel humor and the duality of his relationships.