Dangerous Liaisons

03 October: Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde. She apologizes for her abrupt departure. She confesses she is in love, though she does not name with whom, and she feels she will succumb to her desires if she were to stay.

03 October: Rosemonde writes to Tourvel. She is more pained by hearing why Tourvel left than the departure itself. She admits she was already aware of her feelings of love, and moreover, whom she loved. She lets her know that she can always confide in her.

04 October: The Marquise de Merteuil writes to Madame de Volanges. She is grateful that Madame de Volanges seeks her opinion. Therefore, she argues that love affairs are fleeting and that a marriage to Gercourt is not only wise in terms of economics, but also because it will offer Cécile a stable future. In time, she would learn to love Gercourt, and that type of love is itself stable.

04 October: Merteuil writes to Cécile. She chastises her for being so prudish concerning Valmont. She also rebukes her for not having told her mother what happened, because then she could have gotten rid of Valmont and had Danceny back. She can have the pleasure offered by Valmont, continue to love Danceny at a distance, and get back on her mother’s good side. She warns Cécile that her mother is trying to trick her. She will offer to allow Cécile to marry Danceny, but if Cécile agrees, her mother will send her back to the convent. Merteuil tells Cécile to make up with Valmont, because he can be a powerful friend to her.

04 October: Merteuil writes to Valmont. She is happy he finally did something with Cécile and tells him about how she chastised her for being so prudish (she sends him the letter she wrote to Cécile). However, she also rebukes Valmont for letting Tourvel get away. She calls him uncreative and insinuates he is losing his touch. She will help him as best she can. She is glad he is staying there at the chateau for a while and wants him to “relieve [his] boredom with the pupil [they] have in common” (261).

05 October: Azolan writes to Valmont. He got the money Valmont left for him but had to give Philippe two louis from his own money. He has been keeping tabs on Tourvel: She has not been eating much, cries, and does not read a lot, though she took two books from the library. She reads letters a lot, which he assumes are the ones Valmont gave her. 

05 October: Tourvel writes to Rosemonde. She thanks her for her kind words and help. She reads her letter over and over again. It is her only consolation. She talks about her feelings of love and the torment it causes her. She names Valmont.

10 October: Cécile writes to Merteuil. She thanks her for her frankness and advice. She sees her error. She has made up with Valmont. In fact, she expects him shortly. She looks forward to the freedom marriage will offer her, though her mother still has not mentioned anything yet. She hopes Merteuil is correct that Danceny will love her more.

11 October: Valmont writes Merteuil. He talks about Tourvel and how difficult it has become, but things are not all bad, because he is taking much pleasure in his time with Cécile. She has become quite the seductress. He is still working on Tourvel, having his valet shadow her.

10 October: the Comte de Gercourt writes to Madame de Volanges. He writes that things are quiet in Italy and hopes to be back in Paris soon. He looks forward to his marriage to Cécile. However, it is possible there might be an opportunity for some sightseeing, which he would like to take advantage of and wonders if marriage would best wait until winter.

14 October: Rosemonde to Tourvel. She tells Tourvel of her rheumatism and that as soon as she can write again, they will have a long talk. She has received all her letters, and her affection for her has only increased. She tells Tourvel about Valmont being a little under the weather, and how Cécile seems bored since her departure.

15 October: Merteuil writes to Valmont. She lets him know that rumors are circulating about him and that he needs to return to Paris before they get out of hand. She reminds him that coming will also be more beneficial in getting Tourvel than staying there, and that Cécile is not worth it. She talks about wanting to end her affair with a man named Belleroche, who has become clingy and boring. She wants to take Danceny as her new lover, and so asks Valmont to make sure Danceny does not meet with Cécile.

16 October: Tourvel writes to Rosemonde. She is worried about Valmont’s health. She is worried she is the cause of his illness.

19 October: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He feels her censure of him is wrong, and as punishment, he will not give her the details of his approaching victory regarding Tourvel. He also criticizes and condemns her choice of Danceny. He thinks it still best to go ahead with the two young lovers as planned. He has already taken steps in that direction by dictating Cécile’s letter to Danceny.

17 October: Danceny writes to Cécile. He speaks very highly of Merteuil and is saddened by her departure to the country. He longs so very much for Cécile, but he has heard so little from her.

18 October: Cécile writes to Danceny as dictated by Valmont. She professes that his suffering is her suffering. She tells him to stop scolding her for not having written so much. She reminds him how difficult it is for her. She tells him that even if she marries Gercourt, she will only love him. She speaks highly of Valmont.

19 October: Danceny writes to Merteuil. He misses her emphatically and implores her to return. Whatever reasons there are for her absence, they are not justifiable keeping him alone. He tries not to think of her but cannot.

19 October: Rosemonde writes to Tourvel. She writes to tell her that Valmont is still in a bad mood, but she met him recently at Mass, to which he has been going the past four days.

22 October: Valmont writes to Father Anselme, who is a monk at the convent of Saint-Honoré. Valmont tells the priest he has documents for Tourvel, but she refuses to see him. He asks the priest to establish a connection with her so that he (Valmont) can make amends for what he has done. He then wishes to confess all his sins.

22 October: Merteuil writes to Danceny. She ridicules his flowery language. She tells him such language is only for love, and even then, because of its ubiquitous usage, it has lost its meaning. She says she misses him too and speaks of virtue, especially with regard to Cécile. She says how important it is to women, and how difficult it is for them to surrender it.

25 October: Rosemonde writes to Tourvel. She tells her that, physically, everything is fine with Valmont, though he seems to be going through something internal. She found him one day in his room, with papers scattered around and writing. He seemed very down. At one point he seemed near tears before he composed himself. He informed her he would soon be returning to Paris.

25 October: Father Anselme writes to Valmont. He tells Valmont he has done as he wished and can meet with Tourvel on the 28th of the month. He is glad to see Valmont wanting to change his ways and will help him in any way he can.

15 October: Tourvel writes to Rosemonde. Tourvel is astonished to hear about Valmont and tells Rosemonde about the letter she received from him and Father Anselme. She feels good that Valmont must no longer be in love with her and wants to change, but at the same time she feels the pain of unrequited love and regrets it.