# Letter 78: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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