# Letter 68: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel explained — Dangerous Liaisons

> Chapter companion for Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-68-viscount-de-valmont-to-the-presidente-de-tourvel
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