Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 78: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont explained
Madame de Tourvel rebukes Valmont for his persistent and unwelcome advances, recounting his behavior since his arrival at the chateau and defending her own conduct.
What happens
Madame de Tourvel rebukes Valmont for his persistent and unwelcome advances, recounting his behavior since his arrival at the chateau and defending her own conduct. She accuses him of violating promises, exploiting her candor, and subjecting her to public embarrassment, warning that she may be forced to leave if he does not cease.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Tourvel accuses Valmont of using calculated advances and public pursuit to manipulate her, disregarding her wishes and social propriety.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Tourvel contrasts Valmont's initial favorable behavior with his later disrespect, and she defends her own conduct against his accusations of being unjust or fantastical.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Tourvel
Author of the letter; defends her behavior and reproaches Valmont for his manipulative and disrespectful conduct.
- Viscount de Valmont
Recipient of the letter; accused of breaking promises, pursuing Tourvel relentlessly, and causing her public embarrassment.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Mentioned as the one who informed Tourvel of Valmont's arrival and as a friend whose affection for Valmont initially tempered Tourvel's unease.
Key passages
“You despise friendship; and in your mad intoxication, ridiculing misery and shame, you seek nothing but victims and pleasure.”
You have no regard for friendship; in your reckless obsession, you mock suffering and disgrace, desiring only to find prey and gratify yourself.
Tourvel condemns Valmont's libertine philosophy, highlighting his callous pursuit of pleasure at others' expense.
“I cannot lift my eyes without meeting yours. I am incessantly obliged to turn my looks from you; and by an inconsequence, you fix the eyes of the whole company on me, at a time when I could even wish to hide myself from my own.”
Every time I look up, I see you staring at me. I constantly have to avert my gaze, yet paradoxically, you draw everyone's attention to me when I most want to be invisible.
Tourvel describes the oppressive and embarrassing effect of Valmont's persistent attention in social settings.