Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 49: Cecilia Volanges to the Chevalier Danceny explained
Cecilia writes to Danceny to break off their correspondence, citing her religious vows and the need to sacrifice her feelings for him.
What happens
Cecilia writes to Danceny to break off their correspondence, citing her religious vows and the need to sacrifice her feelings for him. She asks him not to write back, warns she will inform her mother if he persists, and expresses her enduring but now forbidden affection.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Experience
Cecilia's attempt to renounce her love for Danceny under religious pressure illustrates her struggle between innocent affection and the demands of adult duty.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Cecilia claims to embrace religious sacrifice while secretly hoping Danceny will not forget her, revealing a gap between her stated piety and her true feelings.
Characters to notice
- Cecilia Volanges
Writes to Danceny to end their correspondence, citing religious duty and her mother's authority.
- Chevalier Danceny
Recipient of Cecilia's letter; she asks him to stop writing and implies he may soon love another.
- Madame de Volanges
Referenced as the authority Cecilia will inform if Danceny continues to write.
Key passages
“Without being either fickle or deceitful, it is sufficient, Sir, to account for my conduct, to know there is a necessity for an alteration in it: I have promised myself a sacrifice to God, until I can offer him also the sacrifice of my sentiments for you, which the religious state you are in renders doubly criminal.”
I am not being capricious or dishonest; I simply must change my behavior because I have vowed to sacrifice my feelings for you to God, and your religious calling makes our love even more sinful.
Cecilia justifies her decision to end the relationship by framing it as a religious obligation.
“I therefore request that you will not write to me any more, as I assure you I shall give no answer; and it would oblige me to acquaint my mamma of everything that happens, which would entirely deprive me the pleasure of seeing you.”
Please stop writing to me, because I won't reply, and if you continue, I'll have to tell my mother, which would end any chance of seeing you.
Cecilia threatens to involve her mother to enforce the separation, while still expressing a desire to see Danceny.