Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 87: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Madame de Volanges explained
Merteuil writes to Madame de Volanges recounting a scandalous incident where Prevan, a man she barely knew, entered her bedroom late at night.
What happens
Merteuil writes to Madame de Volanges recounting a scandalous incident where Prevan, a man she barely knew, entered her bedroom late at night. She describes how she rang for her servants, causing a public uproar that led to Prevan's imprisonment. Despite being vindicated, she laments the damage to her reputation and seeks advice on how to proceed.
Themes in this chapter
Gender and Power Dynamics
Merteuil's vulnerability as a woman is highlighted; despite being the victim, she fears social ruin and must navigate male-dominated structures of reputation and justice.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Merteuil presents herself as a virtuous woman wronged, yet her manipulative nature and the orchestrated nature of the scandal (as revealed in other letters) underscore the gap between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Narrates the scandalous bedroom intrusion by Prevan, expressing distress over the public exposure and seeking counsel from Madame de Volanges.
- Prevan
Enters Merteuil's bedroom uninvited, leading to a scandal; he is imprisoned by order of his corps commandant.
- Madame de Volanges
Recipient of the letter; Merteuil asks for her prudent advice and consolation.
- Marechale de ⸻
Hosted the gathering where Merteuil met Prevan; later accompanied Merteuil to the theater.
Key passages
“I met at the Marechale de ⸻’s a Mr. Prevan, who you certainly know by name, and was no otherwise known to me; meeting him accidentally at her house, I thought myself safe in looking upon him as good company; his person is tolerable, and he is not deficient in wit; chance, and being tired at play, left me the only woman in company with him and the bishop of ⸻.”
Merteuil explains that she encountered Prevan socially at the Marechale's, finding him pleasant and witty, and ended up alone with him and a bishop due to circumstances.
Sets up the seemingly innocent context of their acquaintance before the scandal.
“I drew my curtain in a great fright, and saw a man coming in from my closet-door. I shrieked out, and recognised, by my watch light, this Mr. Prevan, who, with a most inconceivable effrontery, bid me not be alarmed, that he would clear up the mystery of his conduct, and requested me not to make any noise.”
Merteuil describes waking to find Prevan entering her bedroom from a closet, and his audacious attempt to calm her while claiming he could explain.
Highlights the intrusion and Prevan's brazen behavior.
“My only answer, as you may well believe, was to ring my bell. By good fortune, my servants, who had been making merry with one of my women, were not gone to bed. My waiting woman, when near my room, heard me speaking very loud, was frightened, and called all my people.”
Merteuil rang for help, and her servants, still awake, heard the commotion and came to her aid.
Shows her immediate response and the escalation of the incident.
“I must own, at that time I was very glad to have such a powerful assistance: but on reflection, I would rather my waiting woman alone had come; she would have been sufficient, and I should, perhaps, have avoided all this noise which afflicts me.”
Merteuil admits she was initially grateful for the help, but now regrets the public uproar, wishing only her maid had responded to minimize the scandal.
Reveals her concern for reputation over justice.
“Good God! how unhappy a young woman is! When she has even sheltered herself against slander, it is not sufficient, she must also silence calumny.”
Merteuil laments the plight of women, who must not only avoid wrongdoing but also suppress any false rumors that arise.
Expresses the theme of gender and power, highlighting the double burden on women in society.
