Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 68: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel explained
Valmont responds to Tourvel's letter, rejecting her offer of friendship and insisting that his love for her is sincere and eternal.
What happens
Valmont responds to Tourvel's letter, rejecting her offer of friendship and insisting that his love for her is sincere and eternal. He argues that accepting friendship would be a betrayal of his true feelings and accuses her of cruelty in denying him hope while he remains devoted to her.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's rhetoric of sincerity and eternal love is a calculated strategy to resist Tourvel's attempt to define their relationship as friendship, thereby maintaining his seductive pursuit.
Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Valmont contrasts his 'sincere love' with the corrupt, self-serving love he might have feigned, positioning himself as a virtuous lover while subtly manipulating Tourvel's sense of morality.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Writes a passionate letter rejecting Tourvel's offer of friendship and reaffirming his eternal love.
- Madame de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she had offered him frankness, confidence, and friendship, which he refuses.
Key passages
“I would rather deserve than obtain you; and were you forever to refuse me a happiness I incessantly wish for, I will at least make you acknowledge, that my heart is worthy of it.”
I prefer to prove myself worthy of you rather than simply win you; even if you always deny me what I desire, I will make you admit my heart deserves it.
Valmont frames his persistence as noble, but it is a manipulative appeal to Tourvel's sense of fairness.
“What! Should I consent to share with another a sentiment proceeding from your soul? If I should ever tell you so, do not believe me.”
How could I agree to share a feeling that comes from your soul with anyone else? If I ever said that, don't trust me.
Valmont rejects friendship as insufficient, claiming his love is exclusive and total, which pressures Tourvel to reciprocate.