# Letter 89: The Viscount de Valmont to the Chevalier Danceny explained — Dangerous Liaisons

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

## What happens

Valmont writes to Danceny, claiming he is trying to help him with his affair with Cecilia but blaming her timidity and her mother's vigilance for the lack of progress. He suggests Danceny write to Cecilia to encourage her cooperation, while subtly undermining her loyalty. Valmont also mentions his own romantic pursuits, framing his efforts as selfless friendship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont manipulates Danceny by feigning friendship and concern, while subtly undermining Cecilia's trustworthiness and advancing his own agenda.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Valmont presents himself as a helpful friend, but his true motives are self-serving, revealing the gap between appearance and reality.

## Character check-ins

### Viscount de Valmont

Writes to Danceny, feigning concern and offering advice while manipulating the situation to his own advantage.

### Chevalier Danceny

The recipient of Valmont's letter, portrayed as a friend whose romantic progress Valmont claims to be facilitating.

### Cecilia Volanges

Described by Valmont as timid and uncooperative, blamed for the slow progress of her affair with Danceny.

### Madame de Volanges

Mentioned as a vigilant and severe obstacle to Danceny's correspondence with Cecilia.

## Key lines

> I had proposed an easy, commodious, and safe way of delivering your letters to her, and even to smooth the way of the interviews you wish for so much; but I have not been able to determine her to make use of it.

Valmont claims he suggested a convenient and secure method for Danceny to exchange letters and meet Cecilia, but she refused to follow his advice.

_Valmont blames Cecilia for the lack of progress, positioning himself as a helpful intermediary._

> for the woman who retains a will of her own, does not love to that degree she ought.

Valmont implies that a woman who insists on her own judgment does not love as deeply as she should.

_This reflects Valmont's manipulative view of love as submission, used to pressure Danceny into controlling Cecilia._

## Links

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- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters