Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 62: Madame de Volanges to Chevalier Danceny explained
Madame de Volanges writes to Chevalier Danceny, severing all contact after discovering his secret correspondence with her daughter Cecilia.
What happens
Madame de Volanges writes to Chevalier Danceny, severing all contact after discovering his secret correspondence with her daughter Cecilia. She accuses him of abusing her trust and the girl's innocence, demands the return of Cecilia's letters, and threatens to confine Cecilia if Danceny persists. The letter is a formal, angry dismissal intended to protect the family's reputation.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Madame de Volanges prioritizes public reputation over genuine understanding, demanding secrecy to avoid scandal rather than addressing the emotional harm.
Innocence and Experience
Cecilia is portrayed as an innocent child corrupted by Danceny's experienced advances, highlighting the loss of innocence through forbidden romance.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Volanges
Writes to Danceny, expressing indignation and asserting her authority as a mother to protect her daughter's honor.
- Chevalier Danceny
The recipient of the letter; accused of abusing trust and innocence, and banned from the house.
- Cecilia Volanges
Mentioned as the daughter whose innocence was exploited and who is now threatened with confinement.
Key passages
“You will certainly not be surprised, Sir, after having so grossly abused the confidence of a mother, and the innocence of a child, to be no longer admitted into a house where you have repaid the sincerest friendship with the blackest ingratitude.”
You should expect to be banned from our home after betraying my trust and corrupting my innocent daughter.
Madame de Volanges frames Danceny's actions as a betrayal of both maternal trust and youthful innocence.
“I must also acquaint you, that if you should hereafter make the least attempt to keep up a correspondence with my daughter, a severe and everlasting confinement shall withdraw her from your solicitations.”
If you try to contact my daughter again, I will lock her away permanently to stop you.
She threatens extreme measures to enforce the separation, emphasizing her control over Cecilia's fate.