# Letter 72: Chevalier Danceny to Cecilia Volanges explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Danceny writes to Cecilia, expressing envy of Valmont's ability to see her and deliver the letter. He laments his own suffering and guilt over causing her misery, pleads for her forgiveness and continued love, and urges her to trust Valmont as a friend who can help reunite them. He reassures himself of her constancy and ends with tender affection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont's role as a 'friend' who facilitates the correspondence is part of his manipulative scheme, though Danceny naively trusts him.

### Innocence and Experience

Danceny's trusting nature and Cecilia's initial wariness of Valmont contrast with the experienced manipulators around them.

## Character check-ins

### Chevalier Danceny

Author of the letter; expresses longing, guilt, and hope for reunion.

### Cecilia Volanges

Recipient; Danceny pleads for her forgiveness and continued love.

### Viscount de Valmont

Mentioned as the friend who will deliver the letter and help reunite the lovers.

### Madame de Volanges

Referenced as having a bad opinion of Valmont and having separated Danceny and Cecilia.

## Key lines

> Oh, my Cecilia! How much I envy Valmont’s good fortune; tomorrow he will see you.

Danceny is jealous that Valmont will be able to see Cecilia in person the next day.

_Highlights Danceny's longing and his reliance on Valmont as an intermediary._

> I conjure you, my love, to have a more favourable opinion of him; remember he is my friend, and wishes to be yours; that he can procure me the happiness of seeing you.

Danceny begs Cecilia to trust Valmont, believing he can help them reunite.

_Shows Danceny's naivety and Valmont's manipulation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-72-chevalier-danceny-to-cecilia-volanges
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters