Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 83: Viscount de Valmont, to the Presidente de Tourvel explained
Valmont writes a passionate and manipulative letter to Madame de Tourvel, defending his character and attempting to persuade her that his love is virtuous and that she should grant him a private conversation.
What happens
Valmont writes a passionate and manipulative letter to Madame de Tourvel, defending his character and attempting to persuade her that his love is virtuous and that she should grant him a private conversation. He argues that she has reformed him and that her fear of his passion is unfounded, while subtly pressuring her to yield to his desires.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont uses flattery, feigned vulnerability, and logical appeals to manipulate Tourvel into granting a private conversation, framing his passion as virtuous.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as reformed and devoted to virtue, while his true intent is seduction, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.
Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Valmont conflates love with virtue to justify his advances, arguing that his passion is ennobling and that Tourvel's resistance is unjust.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Author of the letter; employs seductive rhetoric to convince Tourvel of his virtuous intentions and to arrange a meeting.
- Madame de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont appeals to her sense of virtue and friendship while attempting to overcome her resistance.
Key passages
“For heaven’s sake, Madam, let us renew the conversation so unfortunately interrupted, that I may convince you how different I am from the odious picture that has been drawn of me, and may, at least, enjoy that amiable confidence you placed in me.”
Valmont begs Tourvel to resume their interrupted conversation so he can prove he is not the villain she has been told he is and regain her trust.
Valmont opens by appealing to her sense of fairness and past confidence, setting up his defense.
“It is enough to see you, to wish to please you; and to converse with you, to augment this wish: but he that has the happiness to know you, who can sometimes read your mind, soon gives way to a more noble enthusiasm, and, struck with veneration as with love—in your person adores the image of all the virtues.”
Seeing you inspires a desire to please, and knowing you elevates that desire into a reverent love that worships virtue itself.
Valmont flatters Tourvel by equating her with virtue, a common seduction tactic.
“Would you impute, then, to criminality this new affection? Will you blame your own work? Would you reproach yourself the interest you ought to take in it?”
Are you going to call this love a crime? It is your own influence that has created it; how can you blame yourself for caring?
Valmont uses guilt and responsibility to pressure Tourvel into accepting his feelings.
“My affection frightens you. You think it too violent, too immoderate; qualify it, then, by a softer passion. Do not reject the obedience I offer you, which I now swear never to withdraw myself from, and in which I shall be ever virtuously employed.”
You are scared by the intensity of my love; let me temper it with a gentler devotion. Accept my promise of obedience, and I will always act virtuously.
Valmont offers submission as a way to allay her fears, while actually seeking greater intimacy.
“Perhaps, after being bound down by my promises, I shall see myself reduced to consume with a flame which I well feel can never be extinguished, without even daring to implore your assistance.”
After I make these promises, I might be left to burn with an unquenchable passion, unable to even ask for your help.
Valmont plays the victim, suggesting that denying him a conversation will cause him to suffer silently.