Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 77: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel explained
Valmont writes to Madame de Tourvel, expressing frustration at her avoidance of him and questioning why she treats him with such coldness despite his apparent sincerity and submission.
What happens
Valmont writes to Madame de Tourvel, expressing frustration at her avoidance of him and questioning why she treats him with such coldness despite his apparent sincerity and submission. He defends his candor and obedience, lamenting that his good conduct seems to bring only misfortune, and pleads for her to explain what wrongs he has committed so he may make amends.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's letter is a calculated appeal to Tourvel's sense of fairness and guilt, using feigned innocence and self-pity to manipulate her into relaxing her defenses.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a sincere, obedient friend while his true intentions are seduction; Tourvel's avoidance suggests she sees through his performance, yet he accuses her of being unjust.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Author of the letter; expresses frustration and confusion at Tourvel's avoidance, defends his sincerity, and pleads for her to prescribe how he should behave.
- Madame de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; accused by Valmont of avoiding him, feigning illness, and treating him with undeserved severity.
Key passages
“From whence proceeds, Madam, the cruel care you take to avoid me?”
Why do you go out of your way to avoid me, Madam?
Valmont opens with a rhetorical question accusing Tourvel of deliberate avoidance.
“This is, I dare say, a treatment not consistent with love, nor can it be permitted to friendship; and yet you know that one of those sentiments animates me, and I thought myself authorised to believe you would not refuse me the other.”
This behavior is unacceptable whether you consider me a lover or a friend, and you know I feel one of these for you, while I believed you would at least grant me the other.
Valmont contrasts his professed love with her coldness, appealing to the friendship she once offered.
“I do not repent of a conduct I owe to you and myself: but by what fatality is it, that every laudable action of mine becomes the signal of a new misfortune to me?”
I don't regret acting honorably toward you and myself, but why does every good deed I do bring me fresh misfortune?
Valmont laments that his virtuous behavior seems to be punished rather than rewarded.