# Letter 70: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Valmont writes to Merteuil to warn her of Prevan's public challenge to her virtue, recounting a supper at the Marechale de ⸻ where Prevan mocked her reputation. He also details his strategic refusal of Tourvel's offer of friendship, preferring a more drawn-out seduction that forces her to confront her desires. Valmont requests Merteuil's instructions and promises to advance their schemes with Cecilia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont details his calculated strategy to prolong Tourvel's seduction, forcing her to confront her desires and refuse her offer of friendship.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Valmont speaks well of Merteuil publicly while privately plotting; Prevan's challenge exposes the gap between public virtue and private scheming.

### Gender and Power Dynamics

Prevan's challenge to Merteuil's virtue and Valmont's control over Tourvel's emotional state highlight the power struggles between men and women.

## Character check-ins

### Viscount de Valmont

Writes to Merteuil, reporting Prevan's challenge and outlining his calculated seduction of Tourvel, refusing her offer of friendship.

### Marchioness de Merteuil

Recipient of the letter; Valmont warns her of Prevan's plot and seeks her instructions.

### Prevan

Publicly challenges Merteuil's virtue at the supper, gaining confidence from his recent triple adventure; Valmont considers him a formidable rival.

### Madame de Tourvel

Offered Valmont a plan of capitulation proposing friendship; Valmont refuses, aiming for a more agonizing seduction.

### Cecilia Volanges

Referenced as 'your pupil'; Valmont promises to advance her affair.

### Marechale de ⸻

Hosted the supper where Prevan made his remarks.

## Key lines

> I have a most important piece of news for you: last night I supped, as you know, at the Marechale de ⸻, where you were spoke of; I said not all the good that I think, but all that I did not think of you.

Valmont informs Merteuil that at a recent dinner, he deliberately spoke ill of her to fit in with the company.

_Valmont's duplicity in public versus private loyalty._

> I will not credit Madame de Merteuil’s virtue, until I have killed six horses in her service.

Prevan jokes that he will only believe Merteuil is virtuous after exhausting himself in pursuit of her.

_Prevan publicly challenges Merteuil's reputation, mocking her virtue._

> My design is, that she should feel the value, and the extent, of every one of the sacrifices she shall make; not to lead her on so fast, but that remorse may follow every step; to make her virtue expire in a slow agony.

Valmont plans to make Tourvel fully aware of each sacrifice she makes, prolonging her moral struggle.

_Valmont's sadistic approach to seduction, emphasizing control and psychological torment._

> I took peculiar care of my style, and endeavoured to scatter through my letter that kind of disorder which only can display sentiment, and talked as much nonsense as possible; for, without that, there is no tenderness.

Valmont deliberately wrote his letter with emotional disarray and nonsense to simulate tenderness.

_Valmont's calculated use of language to manipulate Tourvel's emotions._

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