The Dangerous Liaisons

THE DANGEROUS LIAISONS
FIRST LETTER
_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY, to the Ursulines of ..._
You see, my dear friend, that I keep your word, and that the hats and
pompoms do not take all my time; I will always be left
for you. Yet I saw more adornments in this single day
only in the four years we spent together; and I believe
that the superb Tanville [8] will have more sorrow on my first visit,
where I intend to ask, that she did not think we were all
when she came to see us _in fiocchi_. Mom consulted me
mostly; she treated me much less as a boarder than by the
past. I have a maid to me; I have a room and a cabinet
which I have, and I write to a very pretty secretary, whom I have
handed over the key, and where I can enclose all that I want. Mom told me
said that I would see her every day when she got up; that it was sufficient
I was wearing my hair for dinner, because we would always be alone,
and then she would tell me every day when I should go
join the afternoon. The rest of the time is at my disposal, and I have
my harp, my drawing and books as in the convent, except that the
Mother Perpetua is not here to scold me, and that it would only hold
me to always do nothing; but as I do not have my Sophie for
to talk and to laugh, I like to take care of myself.
[8] Pensioner of the same convent.
It is not yet five o'clock; I do not have to go find mom that

seven: that's a long time ago if I had something to say to you! House
have not spoken to me yet about anything; and without the finishes that I see doing
and
the amount of workers who all come for me, I would believe that
do not think about getting married, and that's a drivel of more than good
Jos�phine [9]. However mom told me so often that a young lady
had to stay at the convent until she got married only because she
I get out of it, Josephine must be right.
[9] Convent turret.
He just stopped a carriage at the door and mom makes me say

go to her house right away. If it was the gentleman? I'm not
dressed, my hand trembles and my heart beats. I asked the woman
if she knew who was at my mother's house: "Really, she told me
said, it's Mr. C ***. "And she laughed. Oh! I think it's him. I
will surely come back to tell you what will have happened. That's always
his name. We must not wait. Goodbye, to a small
moment.
How are you going to make fun of poor Cecile! Oh! I was very ashamed.
But you would have been caught like me. On entering mom's home, I
saw a gentleman in black standing beside her. I hailed him best
that I could and stayed without being able to move from my place. You judge
how much I examined him! "Madam," he said to my mother, greeting me,
here is a charming young lady, and I feel better than ever the price of
your kindness. "In this respect so positive, it took me such a tremor
that I could not support myself; I found an armchair and I got there
seated, very red and very disconcerted. I was barely there
man at my knees. Your poor Cecile then lost her head; L was,
as mother said, all scared. I got up and shouted
piercing ... well, like this day of thunder. Mom is part of a
burst of laughter, saying to me: "Well! what have you? Sit down and
give your foot to monsieur. "Indeed, my dear friend, the gentleman
was a shoemaker. I can not tell you how shameful I was:
luckily, there was only mother. I believe that when I will be
married, I will not use this shoemaker any more.
Agree that we are very learned! Goodbye, he's close to six

hours, and my maid says I need to get dressed. Farewell,
my dear Sophie; I love you as if I were still at the convent.
_P.-S ._-- I do not know who to send my letter to: so I will wait until
Josephine comes.
_Paris, this 3rd of August 17 ** ._
LETTER II
_The Marquise of MERTEUIL at Viscount VALMONT, at the castle of ..._
Come back, my dear viscount, come back: what are you doing, what can you
to do at an old aunt's house where all the goods are substituted for you?
Leave on the spot; I need you. It came to me an excellent
idea and I want to entrust you with its execution. This few words
should be enough and, too honored of my choice, you should come with
eagerness to take my orders on my knees; but you abuse my
kindness, even since you no longer use it, and in the alternative
eternal hatred or excessive indulgence, your happiness
wants my kindness to prevail. So I want to teach you about my
projects: but swear to me that in faithful knight, you will not run any
adventure that you have not put this one to an end. She is worthy of a hero:
you will serve love and revenge; it will finally be a _rouerie_ [10]
more to put in your memories: yes, in your memories, because I want
that they be printed one day and I will write them. But
leave that and go back to what is occupying me.
[10] These words _rou�_ and _rouerie_, which fortunately the good
company began to unravel, were strong in use at
the time these letters were written.
Madame de Volanges marries her daughter: it is still a secret; but she tells me
yesterday. And who do you think she chose to be a son-in-law?
Count de Gercourt. Who would have told me that I would become the cousin
Gercourt? I'm in a rage ... Well! you can not guess
again? Oh! the heavy spirit! Did you forgive him the adventure of
the housekeeper! And me, do not I have more to complain about him,
monster you are [11]? But I calm down, and hope to avenge myself
calm my soul.
[11] To hear this passage, it is important to note that the Count of

Gercourt had left the Marquise de Merteuil for the housekeeper
de ***, who had sacrificed to him the viscount of Valmont, and that
it was then that the marquise and the viscount tied up one
to the other. As this adventure is much earlier than
events mentioned in these letters, we believed
to remove all correspondence.
You've been bored a hundred times, as well as me, of the importance that
Gercourt to the woman he will have and the foolish presumption that makes him
to believe that he will avoid the inevitable fate. You know his ridiculous
prejudices for cloistered educations and its prejudice, more ridiculous
again, in favor of restraint of blondes. Indeed, I would wager
that, despite the sixty thousand francs a year of the small Volanges,
he would never have done this marriage if she had been brown, or if she
Had not been to the convent. So let's prove to him that he's just a fool: he
it will no doubt be one day; that's not what embarrasses me, but
it would be nice to start there. As we would have fun
the next day on hearing him boast, for he will boast; and then, if a
once you train this little girl, there will be a lot of misfortune if the
Gercourt does not become, like any other, the fable of Paris.
For the rest, the heroine of this new novel deserves all your care. She
is really pretty; it is only fifteen years old, it is the rosebud;
left, indeed, as it is not, and by no means handled;
but you men do not fear that; in addition, a
some languorous look that promises a lot in truth. Add that
I recommend it to you, you just have to thank me and obey me.
You will receive this letter tomorrow morning. I demand that tomorrow, at seven
evening hours, you are at home. I will only receive eight
not even the reigning knight: he does not have enough head for one too
great deal. You see that love does not blind me. At eight o'clock
I will give you back your freedom, and you will come back to ten suppers with the
beautiful object, because the mother and the daughter will dine at my place.
Goodbye, he is
past noon, soon I will not take care of you.
_Paris, this 4th of August 17 ** ._
LETTER III
_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY_
I do not know anything yet, my dear friend. Mom had yesterday a lot of
world at supper. Despite the interest I had to examine, men
Above all, I was very bored. Men and women, everyone told me
many watched, and then we talked to each other in the ear, and I saw
although they spoke of me, it made me blush; I could not
prevent. I would have liked it, because I noticed that when we
looked at the other women, they did not blush, or it was
the red they put that prevents from seeing the one that embarrassed them
because it must be very difficult not to blush when a man
staring at you
What worried me the most was not knowing what we thought about
my account. I think I heard the word two or three times
but I distinctly heard that of the left; and
it must be true, because the woman who said it is related
and friend of my mother; she even seems to have taken right away
friendship for me. This is the only person who spoke to me a little
the evening. We'll have dinner tomorrow at her place.
I heard again, after supper, a man I'm sure who

spoke of me, and who said to another, "Let it ripen,
we will see this winter. "It is perhaps he who must marry me;
but then it would only be in four months! I would like
know what is happening.
That's Josephine, and she tells me she's in a hurry. I want to

tell you one more of my _gaucheries_. Oh! I believe this lady
is right!
After supper we started playing. I placed myself near

mum; I do not know how it was done, but I fell asleep
almost immediately. A big burst of laughter woke me up. I do not
know if you laugh at me, but I believe it. Mom allowed me to
withdraw, and she gave me great pleasure. Just figure it was eleven
past hours. Farewell, my dear Sophie; still love your Cecilia.
I assure you that the world is not as much fun as we imagined.
LETTER IV
_The Viscount of VALMONT at the Marquise de MERTEUIL, in Paris._
Your orders are charming; your way of giving them is more kind
again; you would cherish despotism. This is not the first
time, as you know, that I regret not being your slave anymore;
and all _monstre_ that you say I am, I never remember
without pleasure the time when you honored me with softer names. Often
even I wish to deserve them again and end up giving, with
you, an example of constancy in the world. But bigger interests
call us; to conquer is our destiny; it must be followed:
perhaps at the end of the career we will meet again; because,
be said without getting angry, my beautiful Marquise, you follow me at
less than one step, and since, separating us for happiness
of the world, we preach faith each on our side, it seems to me
that in this mission of love you have made more proselytes than
me. I know your zeal, your ardent fervor; and if that god
we judged on our works, you would one day be the patroness of
some big city, while your friend would be at most a saint of
town. This language surprises you, is not it? But since eight
days I do not hear, I do not speak of others; and that's for me
to perfect that I see myself forced to disobey you.
Do not be angry and listen to me. Custodian of all the secrets

from my heart, I will give you the biggest project I have
never formed. What are you offering? to seduce a girl who
has seen nothing, knows nothing; who, so to speak, would be delivered to me
defenseless; that a first tribute will not fail to get drunk and that
curiosity may lead faster than love. Twenty others
can succeed like me. This is not the case with the company
take care; its success assures me as much glory as pleasure. love
who prepares my crown hesitates himself between myrtle and laurel,
or rather he will bring them together to honor my triumph. Yourself, my
beautiful friend, you will be seized with a holy respect, and you will say with
enthusiasm: "Here is the man according to my heart."
You know President Tourvel, her devotion, her conjugal love,

its austere principles. That's what I attack; that's the worthy enemy of
me; that is the goal I claim to attain;
And if to get it I do not take the price,

I will at least have the honor of having undertaken it.
We can quote bad verses when they are of a great poet [12].
[12] La Fontaine.
So you will know that the president is in Burgundy, following a

big trial (I hope to make him lose a bigger one). His
inconsolable half must spend here all the time of this afflicting
widowhood. A mass every day, some visits to the poor of the canton,
Morning and evening prayers, solitary walks, piles
interviews with my old aunt and sometimes a sad wisk were
to be his only distractions. I prepare him more effective. My
good angel drove me here for his happiness and for mine. Foolish! I
I regretted twenty-four hours that I sacrificed in the usual way.
How much would I be punished by forcing myself to return to Paris! Fortunately
you have to be four to play the wisk, and since there is only the
parish priest, my eternal aunt urged me to sacrifice
some days. You guess I consented. You can not imagine
how much she has been cuddling me since then, how much she is
built to see me regularly at his prayers and at his mass. She does not
do not doubt the divinity I adore.
So here I am, for four days, delivered to a strong passion. You

know if I desire, if I devour the obstacles; but what
you do not know how much loneliness adds to the ardor of desire.
I have only one idea; I think about it during the day and I dream at night.
I really need to have this woman to save me from the ridicule of
to be in love, because where does not lead a thwarted desire? Delicious O
enjoyment, I implore you for my happiness and especially for my rest.
How happy we are that women defend themselves so badly! We do not
we would be near them only as shy slaves. I have in this moment
a sense of appreciation for easy women that brings me
naturally at your feet. I prostrate myself for my forgiveness
and I finish this too long letter. Goodbye, my very good friend, without
grudge.
_The Castle of ..., August 5, 17 ** ._
LETTER V
_The Marquise de MERTEUIL at Viscount VALMONT._

Do you know, viscount, that your letter is of rare insolence, and
that it would be up to me to get angry at it? But she proved to me
clearly that you had lost your head, and that alone saved you from
my indignation. A generous and sensitive friend, I forget my insult for
to occupy myself only with your danger; and how boring it may be
reason, I give in to the need that you have at this moment.
You, have the President Tourvel! but what a ridiculous caprice! I

recognize there your bad head that does not want that this
that she thinks she can not get. What is this
women? Regular features if you like, but no expression;
fairly well done, but without grace; always made to laugh
with his bundles of kerchiefs on his throat and his body that goes back to
chin! I tell you as a friend, it would not take you two women
like this one to make you lose all your consideration.
So remember that day when she was questing in Saint-Roch and where you
Thank you so much for having procured this show. I think I see her
still, giving the hand to this large shaggy long hair, ready to
fall at each step, always having his basket of four aunts on
someone's head and blushing with each bow. Who would you
then say you would like this woman? Come on, viscount, blush
yourself and come back to you. I promise you the secret.
And then, see the inconveniences that await you! What rival
you have to fight? A husband! Do not you feel humiliated at this
only word? What a shame if you fail! and even how little glory
in success! I say more: do not expect any pleasure. Is it with
the prudes? I mean those in good faith: reserved within the very heart of
they offer you only half-enjoyments. This integer
abandonment of oneself, this delirium of voluptuousness where pleasure is purified
by
its excess, these goods of love are not known to them. I you
the predicted: in the happiest supposition, your president will believe
having done everything for you by treating you as her husband, and in the
the most tender conjugal head-to-head we always have two. Here it is
worse still; your prude is devout and this devotion of good
a woman who condemns to an eternal childhood. Maybe you will overcome
this obstacle, but do not flatter yourself to destroy it: winner of
the love of God, you will not be afraid of the Devil; and when,
holding your mistress in your arms, you will feel her heart throb,
it will be fear and not love. Maybe, if you had known
this woman earlier could have done something; but
it is twenty-two years old and there are about two that she is married.
Believe me, Viscount, when a woman has become _graded_ at this point, he
must be abandoned to his fate: it will never be more than a species.
It is nevertheless for this beautiful object that you refuse to obey me, that you
you bury yourself in your aunt's tomb and you give up
the most delicious adventure and the most made to do you honor.
By what inevitability must Gercourt always keep some
advantage over you? Here, I speak to you without humor: but in
right now, I'm tempted to believe that you do not deserve your
reputation; I am especially tempted to withdraw my confidence. I do not
I will never accustom myself to tell my secrets to Madame de Tourvel's lover.
Be aware that the small Volanges has already turned a head.

The young Danceny loves it. He sang with her; And in fact,
she sings better than a boarder does. They must
repeat a lot of duets, and I think she'd be happy to
unison: but this Danceny is a kid who will waste his time doing
love and will not end anything. The little person, on the other hand, is pretty
fierce, and, at any event, it will always be much less
pleasant that you could not make it; also I have the mood and
surely I will quarrel with the knight on his arrival. I advise him
to be gentle, because at that moment it would cost me nothing to break
with him. I'm sure if I had the good spirit to leave him
now he would be in despair, and nothing amuses me like a
despair in love. He would call me perfidious, and this word of treacherous
always pleasure; it is, after that of cruel, the sweetest to
the ear of a woman, and it is less painful to deserve. Seriously,
I will take care of this break. That's what you are
cause! so I put it on your conscience. Farewell. Recommend me
to the prayers of your president.
LETTER VI
_The Vicomte de VALMONT at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
So there is no woman who does not abuse the empire that she knew
take! And you yourself, whom I so often named my indulgent
friend, you finally cease to be, and you are not afraid of
to attack me in the object of my affections! What traits do you dare
to paint Madame de Tourvel! ... What a man would not have paid with his life for
this
insolent audacity? What other woman than you would have been worth
at least a darkness? Thank you, do not put me to such rough
tests, I would not answer to support them. In the name of friendship,
wait until I've had this woman if you want to tell her. Born
do not you know that the only pleasure has the right to detach the headband
of love?
But what am I saying? Does Madame de Tourvel need illusion? no for

to be adorable, it is enough for her to be herself. You blame him for
to be hurt, I believe it well: all adornment harms him, all that
hide the d�pare. It is in abandoning the neglected that she is truly
lovely. Thanks to the overwhelming heat we are experiencing, a
undressed simple canvas lets me see a round and flexible size.
Only one muslin covers her throat, and my furtive looks, but
penetrating, have already grasped the enchanting forms. His face,
you say, has no expression. And what would it express in the
moments when nothing speaks to his heart? No, no doubt, she has not,
like our coquettish women, this liar look that sometimes seduces
and we always cheat. She does not know how to cover the void of a sentence
by a studied smile; and although she has the most beautiful teeth of the
world, she only laughs at what amuses her. But you have to see how, in
the playful games, it offers the image of a gaiety naive and frank!
like, near an unfortunate man whom she hastens to help, her
look announces pure joy and compassionate kindness! We must see,
especially at the slightest word of eulogy or cajolery, to paint himself, on his
heavenly figure, this touching embarrassment of a modesty that is not
Played! She is prudish and devout, and from there you judge her cold and
inanimate? I think very differently. What amazing sensitivity
should not we have to spread it to her husband, and to
to always love a being always absent? What stronger evidence
could you wish? I knew how to get another one.
I directed his walk so that he found a ditch in

cross; and, although very cumbersome, she is still more timid: you
be sure that a prude is afraid to jump the ditch [13]. It took
to confide in me. I held this modest woman in my arms. our
preparations and the passage of my old aunt had made people laugh at
shatters the devout sportsman; but as soon as I seized her by
a cunning awkwardness, our arms entwined each other. I pressed
his breast against mine, and in this short interval I felt his
heart beat faster. The pleasant redness came to color his face, and
his modest embarrassment taught me enough that his heart had throbbed with love
and not fear. My aunt, however, was mistaken as you and began
to say: "The child was afraid"; but the charming candor of the _child_
did not allow him to lie, and she replied naively, "Oh! no,
but ... "That one word enlightened me. From that moment, the sweet hope has
replaced the cruel anxiety. I will have this woman; I'll take it off at
husband who profane her; I will dare to rob her of the very God whom she adores.
What
Delight to be in turn the object and the conqueror of his remorse! Far
from me the idea of ??destroying the prejudices that afflict it! they will add
to my happiness and my glory. That she believes in virtue, but that she
sacrifice it to me; that his faults frighten him without being able to stop him,
and that, agitated by a thousand terrors, she can not forget them, defeat them
only in my arms. Then, I agree, she says to me, "I adore you,"
she alone, among all women, will be worthy to pronounce this word. I
will be really the god she will have preferred.
[13] We recognize here the bad taste of puns which

began to take, and since then has made so much progress.
Let's be honest: in our arrangements, as cold as they are easy,

what we call happiness is hardly a pleasure. Shall I tell you?
I believed my heart withered, and finding me only senses, I
complained of premature old age. Mme de Tourvel returned me the
charming illusions of youth. With her, I do not need
to enjoy to be happy. The only thing that scares me is the time
what will happen to this adventure, for I dare not give anything to chance.
Although I remember my happy temerity, I can not bring myself to
put them in use. For me to be really happy, she needs to
give yourself, and it's not a small affair.
I am sure you would admire my prudence. I have not yet

uttered the word of love, but already we are at those of confidence
and interest. To mislead it as little as possible, and especially to
to prevent the effect of comments that might come back to him, I told him
told me, and as if accusing me, some of my features
the most famous. You would laugh to see how candid she is
preaches. She wants, she says, to convert me. She does not suspect yet
what it will cost him to try it. She is far from thinking
that in pleading, to speak like her, for the unfortunate
I lost, she speaks in advance in her own cause. That idea
came to me yesterday in the middle of one of his sermons, and I could not refuse
with the pleasure of interrupting him to assure him that she was speaking like a
Prophet. Farewell, my very beautiful friend. You see I'm not
lost without resources.
_P.-S ._-- By the way, did this poor knight kill himself in despair?
In truth, you are a hundred times worse than me, and you
would humiliate me if I had pride.
_Of the castle of ..., this 9th of August 17 ** ._
LETTER VII
_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY_ [14].
If I did not tell you about my marriage, it's because I'm not more
educated only the first day. I get used to not thinking about it anymore and I
find me pretty much of my kind of life. I study my singing a lot
and my harp; it seems to me that I like them better since I no longer
Master, or rather, I have a better one. Mr. Knight
Danceny, this gentleman I told you about and with whom I sang at
Madame de Merteuil, is kind enough to come here every day and
sing with me for hours. He is extremely kind. he
sings like an angel and composes very pretty tunes which he also makes
words. It is a pity he is a knight of Malta! He is
seems that if he married his wife would be very happy ... He has a
charming sweetness. He never seems to make a compliment and,
yet all he says is flattering. He keeps coming back to me
on music than on anything else; but he mixes with his critics so much
of interest and gaiety that it is impossible not to know him
will. Only when he looks at you, does he seem to be telling you
something obliging. He joins all of this to be very complacent. By
example, yesterday he was prayed for a big concert, he preferred to stay
the whole evening at mom's house. It made me happy because when he
is not there, no one speaks to me and I am bored; instead that when he
There we are, we sing and we talk together. He always has some
something to tell me. He and Mrs. de Merteuil are the only two people
that I find kind. But goodbye, my dear friend, I promised that I
would know for today an ariette whose accompaniment is very
difficult, and I do not want to miss a word. I will go back to
study until he comes.
_De ..., this 7th of August 17 ** ._
[14] To avoid abusing the reader's patience, we delete

many letters of this daily correspondence; we do not
gives those which seemed necessary to the intelligence of
events of this society. It is for the same reason that
also removes all the letters from Sophie Carnay and several
those of the actors of these adventures.
LETTER VIII
_The President of TOURVEL to Madame de VOLANGES._
One can not be more sensitive than I am, Madam, to the confidence
that you show me, nor take more interest than me in
the establishment of Mlle de Volanges. It's good with all my soul that I
wish him a happiness which I do not doubt that it is worthy,
and on which I rely well on your prudence. I do not know
point Count de Gercourt; but, honored of your choice, I can not
to take from him a very advantageous idea. I limit myself, madam, to
wish this marriage a success as happy as mine, which is
likewise your work, and for which every day adds to my
recognition. May the happiness of Miss your daughter be the reward
of the one you have procured me, and may the best of friends be
also the happiest of mothers!
I'm really sorry I can not give you a voice

the homage of this sincere wish, and do, as soon as I wish,
acquaintance with Mlle de Volanges. After experiencing your kindness
truly maternal, I have the right to hope from her the tender friendship of a
sister. I beg you, madam, to kindly request it from me,
until I find myself within reach of deserving it.
I intend to stay in the countryside all the time of the absence of Mr. de
Tourvel. I took this time to enjoy and enjoy the society of the
respectable Madame de Rosemonde. This woman is always charming: her
old age does not make him lose anything; she keeps all her memory and
gaiety. His body alone is eighty-four; his mind is only
twenty.
Our retirement is enlivened by his nephew, the viscount of Valmont, who has
good enough to sacrifice us a few days. I only knew him from
reputation, and it made me want to know him more;
but it seems to me it's better. Here, where the whirlwind of
world does not spoil him, he speaks reason with amazing ease,
and he accuses himself of his wrongs with rare candor. He talks to me with
a lot of confidence, and I preach it with a lot of severity. You
who know it, you will agree that it would be a beautiful conversion
to do, but I do not doubt, despite his promises, that eight days
from Paris, make him forget all my sermons. The stay he will do
here will be at least as much entrenched on his ordinary conduct, and I
believe that, according to his way of living, what he can do best is
to do nothing at all. He knows I'm busy writing to you,
and he has charged me to present to you his respectful homage. Receive
also mine with the goodness that I know you, and never doubt
sincere feelings with which I have the honor to be, etc.
_Of the castle of ..., this 9th of August 17 ** ._
LETTER IX
_Madame de VOLANGES to the President of TOURVEL._
I never doubted, my young and beautiful friend, nor the friendship that you
for me, nor the sincere interest you take in everything that
look. This is not to illuminate this point, which I hope agreed to
never between us, that I answer your _response_, but I do not believe
not be able to dispense with talking to you about the Viscount of
Valmont.
I did not expect, I admit, to ever find that name in your
letters. Indeed, what can there be in common between you and him?
You do not know this man; where would you have taken the idea of ??the soul
of a libertine? You speak to me of his _rare candor_: oh! yes, candor
Valmont must indeed be very rare. Even more false and dangerous
that he is kind and seductive, never, since his greatest
youth, he did not take a step or say a word without having a project, and
he never had a project that was not dishonest or criminal. My friend,
you know me; you know if virtues that I try to acquire,
indulgence is not the one I cherish most. Also, if Valmont
was driven by passionate passions, if, like a thousand others,
he was seduced by the mistakes of his age, blaming his conduct, I
sorry for his person and I would wait, in silence, the time when a
back happy would make him the esteem of honest people. But Valmont
it is not this: his conduct is the result of his principles. He knows
calculate everything a man can afford to do without
compromise; and to be cruel and nasty without danger he chose
women for victims. I do not stop counting those he has
seduced: but how many have not lost?
In the wise and withdrawn life you lead, these scandalous adventures
do not reach you. I could tell you who you
would make one shudder; but your looks, pure as your soul, would be
soiled by similar paintings: sure that Valmont will never be
dangerous for you, you do not need such weapons for
defend yourself. The only thing I have to tell you is that from
all the women he has cared for, successful or not, he
There are none who have not complained of it. The only marquise of
Merteuil is the exception to this general rule; only she knew him
resist and chain his wickedness. I admit that this trait of his life
is the one who gives him the most honor in my eyes; also he
enough to fully justify it to everyone, to a few
inconsistencies we had to blame him in the beginning of his
widow [15].
[15] The error where is Mme de Volanges makes us see that thus
that the other scoundrels, Valmont did not detect his accomplices.
Anyway, my beautiful friend, what age, experience and

Above all friendship allow me to represent you, it is that we begin
to notice in the world of the absence of Valmont, and that if we
knows that he stayed for a while in thirds between his aunt and you,
your reputation will be in his hands; greatest misfortune that can
to arrive at a woman. So I advise you to engage his aunt not to
hold him back and if he persists in staying, I do not think you
must not hesitate to give him the place. But why would he stay? that
is he doing this campaign? If you were watching his steps, I
I'm sure you'd find out that he's only been taking refuge
more convenient for some darkness that he meditates in the neighborhood.
But, in the impossibility of remedying the evil, let us content ourselves with
to guarantee it.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; here is the wedding of my daughter a little delayed.

The
Count de Gercourt, whom we expected from one day to the next, asks me
that his regiment passes in Corsica, and as there are still movements
of war, it will be impossible for him to be absent before the winter. That's me
annoys me, but it makes me hope that we will have the pleasure of
to see at the wedding, and I was sorry that it was done without you. Farewell; I
am, without compliment as without reserve, entirely to you.
_P.-S ._-- Remind me of the memory of Mme de Rosemonde, whom I love

always as much as it deserves.
LETTER X
Do you sulk, viscount? Or are you dead? or, what

would look a lot like, do you live only for your president?
This woman, who has rendered you the illusions of youth,
will soon also make ridiculous prejudices. Already you are shy
and slave; as much would be worth while in love. You give up _your
happy temerities_. So here you are leading yourself without principles
and giving everything to chance or rather to whim. Do not you remember
more than love is, like medicine, _nothing the art of helping to
nature_? You see that I am fighting you with your weapons, but I do not
will not take pride, because it is to beat a man on the ground. _He
she must give herself to me, you say to me; eh! no doubt, it must be;
will she give herself like the others, with this difference that
it will be bad grace. But for her to end up giving herself,
the real way is to start by taking it. That this ridiculous
distinction is a real disregard for love! I say love,
because you are in love. To speak to you otherwise would be to betray you,
it would be to hide your evil. Tell me, languorous lover, these
women you've had, do you think you raped them? But, whatever
we want to give ourselves, no matter how urgent we are, still
is there a pretext, and is there any more convenient for us than that
which gives us the appearance of giving in to force? For me, I admit, a
the things that flatter me the most is a quick and well done attack,
where everything succeeds with order, albeit with speed, which does not put us
never in this painful embarrassment of repairing ourselves a clumsy
which, on the contrary, we should have enjoyed; who knows how to keep the air from
violence even in the things we grant and flatter with
address our two favorite passions: the glory of defense and the
pleasure of defeat. I agree that this talent, more rare than one does not
believe, always made me happy, even though he did not seduce me,
and that sometimes I have come to surrender only as
reward. Such, in our old tournaments, the beauty gave the price
value and address.
But you, who are no longer you, conduct yourself as if you

were afraid to succeed. Eh! since when do you travel to small days
and by side roads? My friend, when we want to arrive,
post horses and the high road! But let's leave this subject, which
gives all the more humor that it deprives me of the pleasure of seeing you.
At least write to me more often than you do and put me at
current of your progress. Do you know that it's been more than a fortnight since
this ridiculous adventure occupies you and you neglect everyone?
About negligence, you look like people who send

regularly know news of their sick friends, but who does not
are never given the answer. You finish your last letter
to ask me if the knight is dead. I do not answer, and
you do not worry more. Do not you know anymore that my
lover is your friend-born? But rest assured, he is not dead or if he
it would be the excess of his joy. This poor knight, as
he is tender, as he is made for love, as he knows how to feel
strongly! My head is spinning. Seriously, the perfect happiness he
to be loved by me really attaches to him.
That same day I wrote to you that I was going to work at our
break how much I made him happy! I took care of everything
good means to despair when it was announced to me. Be caprice
or reason, he never seemed to me so well. I received it however with
mood. He hoped to spend two hours with me, before that where my
door would be open to everyone. I told him that I was going out;
he asked me where I was going, I refused to tell him. He insisted:
"Where you will not be," I retorted bitterly. Fortunately for
he remained petrified by this answer; for if he had said a word, he
inevitably followed a scene that would have brought about the break that
I had planned. Astonished at his silence, I cast my eyes on him
without any other project, I swear to you, to see the mine he was doing.
I found on this charming figure this sadness at once
deep and tender to which you yourself agreed that it was so
hard to resist. The same cause produced the same effect: I was
defeated a second time. From that moment, I only looked after
ways to prevent him from finding me harm. "I'm going out for business,
I said with a slightly softer look, and even this affair you
look, but do not question me. I will sup at my place; come back and
you will be instructed. "Then he found the word, but I did not
not allowed to use it. "I'm in a hurry," I continued,
let me; tonight. "He kissed my hand and went out.
Immediately, to compensate him, perhaps to compensate myself,

I decided to let him know my little house which he does not
did not doubt. I call my faithful _Victoire_. I have my migraine, I am
layer for all my people and, finally left alone with _the real_,
while she disguises herself as a lackey, I make a woman's toilet
of room. She then brings a cab to the door of my garden
and here we are. Arrival in this temple of love, I choose
the most gallant undressed. This one is delicious, it's my
invention: he does not let anything see and yet makes everything guess. I
you promise a model for your president, when you have it
made worthy to wear.
After these preparations, while Victoire takes care of the others

details, I read a chapter of the _Sopha_, a letter of _heloise_ and two
tales of La Fontaine, to record the different tones that I wanted
take. However, my knight arrives at my door with eagerness
that he always has. My Swiss refuses him and teaches him that I am
sick: first incident. He hands him at the same time a ticket from me,
but not of my writing, following my prudent rule. He opens it and there
found by the hand of Victoire: "At nine o'clock sharp, the boulevard,
in front of the cafes ". He goes there, and there a little lackey he does not know
not, that he believes at least not to know, because it was always
Victoire, comes to announce to him that it is necessary to return his car and the
to follow. All this romantic march warmed his head so much,
and the heated head does not hurt anything. He finally arrives, and the surprise
and
love caused in him a real enchantment. To give him the
time to recover, we walk for a moment in the grove,
then I bring him back to the house. He first sees two covered cutlery,
then a bed made. We passed to the boudoir, which was in
all his adornment. There, half reflection, half feeling, I passed
my arms around him and dropped to his knees: "O my friend!
I said to him, to want to spare you the surprise of this moment, I
reproach for having afflicted you by the appearance of the mood, of being able to
for a moment, veil my heart to your eyes. Forgive me for my wrongs; I
want to expiate them by dint of love. " You judge the effect of this speech
sentimental. The happy knight lifted me up, and my pardon was sealed
on that same Ottoman where you and I sealed so gaily and the
same way our eternal break.
As we had six hours together, and had resolved

that all this time was for him equally delicious, I moderated his
transports and the amiable coquetry came to replace the tenderness. I
do not think that I have ever taken so much care to please or have been
never so happy with me. After dinner, alternately child and
reasonable, frolicsome and sensitive, sometimes even libertine, I
liked to consider him a sultan in the middle of his seraglio, whose
I was in turn different favorites. Indeed, his tributes
repeated, although always received by the same woman, were always
by a new mistress.
Finally, at daybreak, it was necessary to separate and, whatever he said, what

that he even did it to prove me wrong, he needed it so much
that little desire. At the moment we went out, and for the last goodbye,
I took the key to this happy stay and handed it to him
hands: "I only got it for you," I tell him, "it's just that
you are master of it; it is for the priest to dispose of the temple. "
It is by this address that I warned the reflections that could have been
to give birth to the property, always suspicious, of a small house.
I know him well enough to be sure that he will only use it for me,
and if the fantasy took me to go without him, I still have one
double key. He was anxious to take day to return;
but I love it too much to want to use it so quickly. You do not have to
allow for excesses only with the people you want to leave soon. He ... not
do not know that, him; but, for his happiness, I know it for two.
I realize that it is three o'clock in the morning and that I have written a
volume, having the project of writing only one word. This is the charm of
trustful friendship, it is she who makes you always what
I like the best; but, in truth, the knight is what I like
more.
LETTER XI
Your severe letter would have frightened me, madam, if by chance I

did not find more security reasons here than you give me
of fear. This formidable M. de Valmont, who must be the terror
of all the women, seems to have deposited his deadly weapon before
to enter this castle. Far from forming projects, there is no
even of pretensions, and the quality of a kind man, that his
enemies even grant him, almost disappears here to leave him
than that of a good child. It's apparently the air of the countryside that has
produces this miracle. What I can assure you is that being without
stop with me, seeming to like it, he did not escape
a word that looks like love, not one of those phrases that all
men, without having, like him, what is needed for
to justify. He never forces to this reserve in which every woman
self-respecting is forced to stand today, to contain the
men around him. He knows not to abuse the cheerfulness he
inspired. It may be a bit of a praise, but it's with so much
delicacy that he would accustom modesty even to praise. Finally,
if I had a brother, I would like him to be such as M. de Valmont
shows himself here. Maybe a lot of women would like him
gallantry more marked, and I confess that I know him an infinite liking
to have been able to judge me well enough not to confuse me with them.
This portrait differs a lot probably from the one you make me,
and despite this, both can be similar in setting the
eras. Himself agrees to have had a lot of wrongs and we
will have also lent some. But I met few men
who spoke honest women with more respect, I would say
almost enthusiastically. You teach me that at least on this object he
do not be mistaken His conduct with Madame de Merteuil is proof of this.
He tells us a lot about it, and it's always with so much praise and
the air of a true attachment, which I believed, until the reception of
your letter, that what he called friendship between them was good
really love. I accuse myself of this reckless judgment, in
which I was all the more wrong because he himself took care of the
to justify. I confess that I only looked at finesse what was
on his part an honest sincerity. I do not know, but it seems to me that
whoever is capable of a friendship also followed for a woman as
estimable is not a libertine without return. I do not know if we
need the wise leadership that he is holding here at some projects in the
around, as you suppose. There are some kind women
in the round, but he goes out little, except in the morning, and then he says he
go hunting. It is true that he rarely brings back game, but he
ensures that he is awkward at this exercise. Moreover, what he can
doing outside worries me little, and if I wanted to know it, it does not
would be that to have one more reason to get closer to your opinion
or bring you back to mine.
On what you propose to me to work to shorten the stay that Mr. de

Valmont intends to do here, it seems very difficult to dare to ask
her aunt not to have her nephew at home, especially since she loves him
a lot. I promise you yet, but only out of deference and not
need, to seize the opportunity to make this request, to her,
either to himself. As for me, M. de Tourvel is informed of my project
to stay here until his return, and he would be surprised, with good reason, to
the lightness that would make me change.
This, madam, is a long clarification, but I thought it necessary

in truth, an advantageous testimony to M. de Valmont, and of which he
seems to be in great need of you. I am not less
sensitive to the friendship that dictated your advice. It's to her that I
must also what you tell me of obliging on the occasion of the delay of
Miss your daughter's wedding. I thank you very sincerely;
but, some pleasure that I promise to spend these moments with
you, I would willingly sacrifice to the desire to know Miss
earlier happy Volanges, though she can never be
more than with a mother so worthy of all her tenderness and her
respect. I share with her these two feelings that bind me to
you, and I beg you to receive it with kindness.
I have the honor to be, etc.
LETTER XII
_C�CILE VOLANGES at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
Mom is inconvenienced, ma'am, she will not go out and it is necessary that
I keep him company; so, I will not have the honor of you
accompany to the Opera. I assure you that I regret much more than
not be with you that show. I beg you to be persuaded.
I love you so much! Would you please tell Mr. Chevalier Danceny
that I do not have the collection of which he has spoken to me, and that if he can
bring it tomorrow, it will make me great pleasure? If he comes today, we
tell him that we are not there, but it is that mom does not want to receive
nobody. I hope it will be better tomorrow.
LETTER XIII
_The Marquise of MERTEUIL in C�CILE VOLANGES._
I am very angry, my beautiful, and to be deprived of the pleasure of seeing you

and the cause of this privation. I hope this opportunity is
find. I will pay your commission to the knight
Danceny, who will surely be very sorry to know your sick mom.
If she wants to receive me tomorrow, I'll go and keep her company. We
Let's attack her and I, the Chevalier de Belleroche [16] on the picket line;
and, by earning her money, we will have, for the sake of pleasure,
to hear you sing with your kind master, to whom I
propose. If it suits your mom and you, I answer for myself
and my two knights. Farewell, my dear; my compliments to my dear
Madame de Volanges. I kiss you dearly.
[16] This is the same as it is in the letters of Mrs.

of Merteuil.
LETTER XIV
_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY._
I did not write to you yesterday, my dear Sophie, but it is not the
pleasure that is cause, I assure you of it. Mom was sick and I
did not leave her that day. In the evening, when I retired,
I had no heart at all, and I went to bed very quickly to
to make sure the day was over; I never had
so long. It's not that I do not like mom, but I do not know
what it was. I had to go to the Opera with Madame de Merteuil; the
Chevalier Danceny was to be there. You know that these are the two
people I like the best. When should I have been there
so has arrived, my heart is tight despite myself. I did not like
everything and I cried, cried without being able to stop myself. Fortunately,
Mom was lying down and could not see me. I am sure that the
Knight Danceny will have been angry too, but he will have been distracted by
the show and by everyone; it is very different.
Luckily, mom is doing better today, and Madame de Merteuil will come
with another person and Knight Danceny; but she's coming
always late, Madame de Merteuil, and when we are so long
all alone, it is very boring. It is only eleven o'clock. he
is true that I must play the harp, and then my toilet me
will take a little time, because I want to be well done today.
I believe that Mother Perpetua is right, and that we become pretty soon
we are in the world. I never had so much desire to be pretty
that for a few days, and I find that I am not so much
that I thought, and then, with women who have red, we
loses a lot. Ms. de Merteuil, for example, I can see that all
men find her prettier than me; that does not make me angry,
because she likes me, and then she assures that the knight Danceny
I find it prettier than her. It's very honest to her to have it
said! she even seemed to be well pleased. For example, I do not
do not design that. Because she loves me so much! and he ... oh! it made me
good pleasure! Also, it seems to me that nothing but looking at it
is enough to beautify. I would always watch it if I did not fear
to meet his eyes, because whenever it happens to me, it
Disappointment and makes me feel sorry, but it does not matter.
Farewell, my dear friend, I am going to put myself at my toilet. I love you

always as usual.
LETTER XV
It is very well for you not to abandon myself to my sad fate.

The life I lead here is really tiring, by the excess of its
rest and its insipid uniformity. Reading your letter and the detail
of your lovely day, I've been tempted twenty times to pretend a
business, to fly at your feet and ask you, in my favor,
an infidelity to your knight, who, after all, does not deserve
his happiness. Do you know that you made me jealous of him? That me
are you talking about eternal breakup? I abject this oath, pronounced in the
delirium: we would not have been worthy of doing if we should have
keep it. Ah! that I may one day avenge you in your arms of spite
involuntary that the happiness of the knight caused me! I am unworthy,
I admit it, when I think that this man, without reasoning, without
to give the slightest trouble, while following stupidly the instinct of his
heart, find a happiness to which I can not reach. Oh! I
disturb me ... Promise me that I will trouble her. You are not yourself
not humiliated? You give yourself the trouble to deceive him, and he is more
happy you. You believe it in your chains! it's you who
are in his. He sleeps quietly while you watch
for his pleasures. What more would his slave do?
Here, my beautiful friend, as long as you share among others, I

do not have the slightest jealousy: I then see in your lovers only the
successors of Alexander, unable to preserve between them all this
empire where I reigned alone. But that you give yourself entirely to
One. Two! that there is another man as happy as me, I do not
will not suffer; do not expect me to suffer. Or take me back, or at
unless you take another and do not betray, by an exclusive whim,
the inviolable friendship we have sworn.
It's enough, no doubt, that I have to complain about love. You

see that I lend myself to your ideas and that I confess my wrongs. Indeed,
if it is to be in love that one can not live without having what one
desire, to sacrifice his time, his pleasures, his life, I am well
really in love. I am hardly more advanced. I would not even
nothing at all to teach you about it without an event that gives me
much to think about and I do not know yet whether I should fear or
hope.
You know my hunter, treasure of intrigue and real valet

comedy: you feel that his instructions were to be in love
from the maid and intoxicate people. The rascal is more
happy as me, he has already succeeded. He just discovered that Ms. de
Tourvel charged one of his people to take information about my
driving, and even following me in my morning races as much as he
could, without being seen. What does this woman claim? Thus
the most modest of all still dare to risk things that barely
we dare to allow ourselves! I swear well ... But, before thinking
to avenge myself of this feminine trick, let us take the means of
turn it to our advantage. So far these races that we suspect
had no object; you have to give them one. That deserves all my
be careful, and I leave you to think about it. Goodbye, my beautiful friend.
_Always of the castle of ..., this 15 August 17 ** ._
LETTER XVI

Ah! my Sophie, here are some news! maybe I should not
tell them, but I must speak to someone; it's more
strong as me. This knight Danceny ... I'm in a trouble that I
can not write, I do not know where to start. Since I had you
narrated the beautiful evening [17] I had spent with Mom at home and
Madame de Merteuil, I did not tell you more about it: I did not want to
to tell anyone, but I still thought about it. Since he
had become so sad, but so sad, so sad, that it made me
of punishment; and when I asked him why, he told me no;
but I saw that though. Finally yesterday it was even more than
custom. That did not stop him from having the complacency to sing
with me as usual; but, whenever he looked at me
it squeezed my heart. After we finished singing, he went
to enclose my harp in its case, and, bringing back the key,
prayed to play again in the evening, as soon as I was alone. I do not
defied nothing at all; I did not even want to, but he asked me so much
that I tell him yes. He had his reasons. Indeed, when
I was taken home and my maid was out, I went
to take my harp. I found in the ropes a letter, folded
only and sealed point, and that was from him. Ah! if you knew
all he asks me! Since I read his letter, I have so many
pleasure that I can not think of anything else. I reread it four
time right now, and then I clamped it in my secretary. I
knew by heart, and when I was lying, I repeated it so much that
I did not dream of sleeping. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw him
there, who told me all that I had just read. I do not
I'm asleep very late and as soon as I woke up (he
was still very early), I was resuming his letter for
read it at my ease. I took her to my bed, and then I took her
fucked as if ... It may be wrong to fuck a letter like
that, but I could not help it.
[17] The letter in which this evening is spoken is not

recovered. There is reason to believe that this is the one proposed in
Madame de Merteuil's note, which is also in question
in the previous letter of C�cile Volanges.
Now, my dear friend, if I am comfortable, I am as well

embarrassed; for surely I must not answer that
letter. I know that it should not be, and yet
asks, and, if I do not answer, I'm sure he'll still be
sad. It is very unfortunate for him! what do you
advise me? But you do not know more than me. I really want
to tell Madame de Merteuil, who likes me. I would like
to console him, but I would not do anything wrong. We are
recommend so much to have a good heart! then we are forbidden to follow this
he inspires, when it's for a man! it's not fair either.
Is a man not our neighbor like a woman and more
again? for, after all, does not one have his father as his mother, his brother as
his sister? He still remains the husband of more. However if I was going to do
something that was not good, maybe Mr. Danceny himself
would not have a good idea of ??me anymore! Oh! that, for example, I still like
better that he is sad; and then, finally, I'll always be on time.
Because he wrote yesterday, I do not have to write today;
I will see Mme de Merteuil tonight, and if I have the courage
I will tell him everything. By doing only what she tells me, I will not
nothing to blame me. And then maybe she'll tell me that I can
answer a little, so that he is not so sad! Oh! I am well in
sentence.
Goodbye, my good friend. Tell me what you think.
LETTER XVII
_The Chevalier DANCENY at C�CILE VOLANGES._
Before delivering me, miss, will I say to the pleasure or the need of
to write to you, I begin by begging you to hear me. I feel that
to dare to declare to you my feelings, I need indulgence; if
I only wanted to justify them, it would be useless. What will I
after all, what show you your work? And what do I have to you
to say, that my looks, my embarrassment, my conduct and even my silence,
did not you tell me before? Eh! why would you anger a
feeling that you have born? Emanated from you, no doubt he is
worthy of being offered to you; if he is hot as my soul, he is pure
like yours. Would it be a crime to have appreciated your charming
figure, your seductive talents, your enchanting graces, and this
touching candor that adds an invaluable price to qualities already
so precious? No, no doubt; but without being guilty we can be
unhappy, and that's the fate that awaits me if you refuse to accept my
tribute. This is the first that my heart has offered. Without you I would be
still, not happy, but quiet. I saw you; the rest
fled from me, and my happiness is uncertain. However, you
surprise me with my sadness; you ask me the cause, sometimes even
I thought I saw that she was afflicting you. Ah! say a word, and my happiness
will be your work. But before pronouncing, think that a word can
also fill my misfortune. Be the arbiter of my destiny. For
you will be eternally happy or unhappy. In which hands
more expensive can I put a bigger interest?
I will finish, as I began, by imploring your indulgence. I

asked you to hear me; I will dare more: I will ask you to tell me
reply. To refuse it would be to let me believe that you are
Offended, and my heart is my guarantee that my respect equals my love.
_P.-S ._-- You can use, to answer me, the same way
which I use to send you this letter; it seems to me
also safe and convenient.
LETTER XVIII
What! Sophie, you blame in advance what I'm going to do! I already had
good enough worries; now you raise them again. It is
clear, you say, that I must not answer. You speak well to your
comfortable, and besides, you do not know exactly what is in it; you are not
there to see. I'm sure if you were in my place, you'd do like
me. Surely, in general, we must not answer, and you have seen,
by my letter of yesterday, that I did not want it either; but it is that
I do not think anyone has ever been in the case where I
am.
And still be obliged to decide myself alone! Mme de Merteuil, whom

I expected to see yesterday evening, did not come. Everything is arranged against
it is she who causes me to know him. It's almost always
with her that I saw him, that I spoke to him. It's not that I
wanting trouble, but she leaves me there at the moment of embarrassment. Oh!
I am very sorry!
Imagine that he came yesterday as usual. I was so troubled

I dared not look at him. He could not talk to me because Mom
was here. I suspected he would be angry when he saw
that I had not written to him. I did not know what capacity to do.
A moment later he asked me if I wanted him to go get my
harp. My heart was beating so hard that it was all I could do
than to answer yes. When he came back, it was worse. I do not
looked only a moment. He was not looking at me, but he had
an air that looked like he was sick. It made me feel good about
sentence. He began tuning my harp, and afterwards, bringing it to me,
he said to me, "Ah! Mademoiselle! ... "He only tells me these two words,
but it was in a tone that I was very upset. I prelude
on my harp without knowing what I was doing. Mom asked if we did not
we would not sing. He apologized, saying that he was a little sick, and
I, who had no excuse, I had to sing. I would have liked
never had a voice I deliberately chose an air that I did not know
not; because I was sure that I could not sing any, and we
would have noticed something. Fortunately he came for a visit,
and as soon as I heard a coach enter, I stopped and asked him to
postpone my harp. I was afraid he would go at the same time,
but he came back.
While mom and this lady who was coming together were talking together, I
wanted to watch it for a little while. I met his eyes, and
it was impossible for me to turn away mine. A moment after I live
his tears flowed, and he was forced to turn around not to be
seen. For once, I could not hold it, I felt that I was going to cry
as well. I went out, and immediately I wrote with a pencil, on a
paper cloth: "Do not be so sad, I beg you; I
promise to answer you. " Surely, you can not say that there is
wrong with that; and then it was stronger than me. I put my paper to
my harp's strings, as his letter was, and I returned to the salon.
I felt more tranquil. I was longing for this lady
was. Fortunately, she was visiting, she left soon after.
As soon as she was out, I said I wanted to pick up my harp,
and I begged him to go and get it. I live well, in his air, that he does not
doubted nothing. But back, oh! how happy he was! By asking
my harp vis-�-vis me, he positioned himself so that mom could
to see, and took my hand that it squeezed ... but in a way! ... it was not
only a moment, but I can not tell you the pleasure it has made me. I
removed it, however; so I have nothing to reproach myself for.
Now, my dear friend, you can see that I can not dispense
to write to him, since I promised him; and then I will not go to him
to rebuild sorrow, because I suffer more than him. If it was for
something wrong, surely I would not do it. But what harm
can there be writing, especially when it is to prevent someone
to be unhappy? What annoys me is that I will not know well
to do my letter; but he will feel that it is not my fault, and
then I'm sure that nothing of what she will be of me, she will do
always pleasure.
Goodbye, my dear friend. If you think I'm wrong, tell me; but I
do not believe. As the time to write to him approaches, my heart
beats that it is not conceivable. It must be good though, since I have
promised. Farewell.
LETTER XIX
_C�CILE VOLANGES to the Chevalier DANCENY._
You were so sad yesterday, sir, and it hurt me so much,

that I let myself promise to answer the letter
that you wrote to me. I do not feel less today that I do not
do not have to; yet, as I promised, I do not want to miss
my word, and that must prove to you the friendship I have for you.
Now that you know it, I hope you will not ask me
write to you more. I also hope that you will not tell anyone that
I wrote to you; because surely I would be blamed, and that
could cause me a lot of grief. I especially hope that you yourself
do not take a bad idea of ??me, which would make me more trouble
that all. I can assure you that I would not have had this
complacency for anyone other than you. I would like you
had the one not to be sad anymore as you were, which gets me away
all the pleasure I have to see you. You see, sir, that I
speak very sincerely. I do not ask better that our friendship lasts
always, but, please, do not write to me anymore.
I have the honor to be,
C�cile VOLANGES.
LETTER XX
Ah! rascal, you cajole me lest I make fun of you? Come,

I do you pardon, you write me so much foolishness that it is necessary that
I forgive you the wisdom where your president holds you. I do not
do not think my knight had as much indulgence as me, he would
man not to approve our renewal of lease, and nothing
find fun in your crazy idea. I laughed, though, and
I was really sorry to have to laugh at it myself. If you
Had I been there, I do not know where this gaiety would have led me; But I
had the time for reflection and I am armed with severity. It's not
not that I refuse forever, but I differ and I am right. I
perhaps vanity, and once stung to the game, we do not know
more where we stop. I'll be a woman chaining you back to
make you forget your president; and if I went, I, unworthy, you
to disgust virtue, see what a scandal! To avoid this danger, here
my conditions.
As soon as you have had your beautiful devotee, that you will be able to
provide proof, come, and I am yours. But you are not ignorant
that in important cases we receive evidence only by
written. By this arrangement, on the one hand, I will become a reward
instead of being a consolation, and I like this idea more;
on the other, your success will be more exciting by becoming himself
a means of infidelity. Come, come as soon as possible to bring me the
pledge of your triumph: similar to our valiant knights who came
to deposit at the feet of their ladies the brilliant fruits of their victory.
Seriously, I'm curious to know what a prude can write
after such a moment, and what a veil she puts on her speeches after
to leave no more on his person. It's up to you to see if I
put a price too high, but I warn you that there is nothing to
cast off. Until then, my dear Viscount, you will find that I remain
faithful to my knight, and that I am amused to make him happy, despite
the little sorrow that this causes you.
However, if I had less manners, I think he would have in this

moment a dangerous rival: it's the little Volanges. I'm crazy about
this child; it's a real passion. Or I'm wrong, or she
will become one of our most fashionable women. I see his little heart
grow, and it's a lovely show. She already loves her
Danceny furiously, but she still does not know. Himself, though
very in love, still has the timidity of his age, and does not dare too much
teach him. Both are adoring to me. The little
above all, I am very anxious to tell you his secret; especially since
a few days I see it really oppressed and I would have returned
a great service to help him a little; but I do not forget it's a
child, and I do not want to compromise myself. Danceny spoke to me a little
more clearly, but for him, my party is taken, I do not want
hear. As for the little one, I'm often tempted to make it
high; it's a service I want to give back to Gercourt. He is
leave time, since it is in Corsica until October.
I have the idea that I will use that time and give it to him
a fully trained woman, instead of her innocent boarder. What
is, indeed, the insolent security of this man who dares to sleep
quiet, while a woman who has to complain about him, did not
not avenged yet? Look, if the little girl was here right now, I do not
know what I will not tell him.
Farewell, viscount, good evening and good luck, but, for God, go ahead.
Remember that if you do not have this woman the others will blush you
have had.
[Illustration: PL. III

_Fragonard son inv._
_Dupr�el sc._
LETTER XXI]
LETTER XXI
Finally, my beautiful friend, I took a step forward, but a big step, and
who, if he did not lead me to the goal, let me know at least
that I am in the road and dispelled the fear where I was of being
lost. I finally declared my love, and even though we kept silent
the most stubborn, I got the answer maybe the least ambiguous
and the most flattering; but do not anticipate the events and
resume above.
You remember that I was being watched. Well! I have

wanted this scandalous means to turn to public edification, and
here is what I did. I instructed my confidant to find me, in
the neighborhood, some unfortunate man who needed help. This
commission was not difficult to complete. Yesterday afternoon, he
realized that we needed to seize today, in the morning, the
furniture from an entire family who could not afford the size. I
assured me that there was in this house no girl or woman whose
age or figure could make my action suspect, and when I was
well informed, I declared at supper my plan to go hunting on the
next day. Here I must do justice to my president; no doubt she
had some remorse for the orders she had given, and not having the
she was able to conquer her curiosity, she had at least the power to annoy her
my desire: it was to heat up excessively, I risked
to make myself ill, I would kill nothing and tirade myself in vain; and
during this dialogue, her eyes, who perhaps spoke better than she
wanted, made me know enough that she wanted me to go
for good these bad reasons. I did not care to go there,
as you can believe, and I resisted a little diatribe
against hunting and hunters and a little cloud of humor that
obscures, all evening, this celestial figure. I feared for a moment
that his orders were not revoked, and that his delicacy did not injure me.
I did not calculate the curiosity of a woman; so I was wrong. My
The hunter reassured me that very evening, and I went to bed satisfied.
At break of day, I get up and leave. Barely fifty steps from

castle, I see my spy following me. I go hunting and
walking through fields towards the village where I wanted to go, without
other pleasure, in my way, than to make run the funny who me
followed and who, not daring to leave the paths, often
every race, a triple space of mine. By dint of exercising it, I had
myself extreme heat and I sat at the foot of a tree.
Did he not have the insolence to run behind a bush that was not
not twenty steps from me and sit there too? I was tempted a
moment to send him my gunshot, which, though of little lead
only, would have given him a sufficient lesson on the dangers of
curiosity; fortunately for him, I remembered that he was
useful and even necessary for my projects: this reflection saved him.
However, I arrive at the village; I see the rumor, I advance,
I ask: I'm told the fact. I bring the collector, and,
yielding to my generous compassion, I am nobly paying fifty-six
books for which five people were reduced to straw and
despair. After this simple action, you can not imagine which choir
Blessings echo around me from the assistants?
What tears of gratitude flowed from the eyes of the old chief of
this family and embellished this patriarch figure, which a
moment ago the savage imprint of desperation really made
hideous! I was looking at this show when another peasant, younger,
leading a woman and two children by the hand and advancing towards
I hurriedly told them, "Let's all fall at the feet of this image
of God, "and at the same moment, I was surrounded by this family
prostrate at my knees. I will admit my weakness, my eyes are
wet with tears, and I felt in myself an involuntary movement,
but delicious. I was amazed by the pleasure of doing
good, and I would be tempted to believe that what we call the
virtuous people do not have so much merit that we like to tell it to ourselves.
Anyway, I just found to pay these poor people the
pleasure they had just made me. I took ten louis on me,
I gave them to them. Here again the thanks, but they
no longer had this same degree of pathos: the necessary had produced
the big, the real effect, the rest was just a simple expression
of gratitude and astonishment for superfluous gifts.
However, amidst the talkative blessings of this family, I do not

not unlike the hero of a drama, in the scene of the denouement.
You will notice that in this crowd was especially the faithful spy.
My goal was full, I disengaged from them all and returned to the castle.
All calculated, I welcome my invention. This woman is well worth
no doubt I give myself so much care; they will someday be my titles
to her and having, so to speak, paid for it in advance,
I will have the right to dispose of it at my pleasure, without having any reproach
to
make myself.
I forgot to tell you that to make the most of it, I asked

these good people to pray to God for the success of my projects. you will
see if already their prayers have not been partially answered ... But
I am advised that supper is served, and it would be too late for
this letter left if I closed it only by withdrawing. So _the
stays the next ordinary_. I'm sorry, because the rest is the
better. Goodbye, my beautiful friend. You steal a moment from the pleasure of
to see her.
LETTER XXII
You will probably be glad, Madam, to know a trait of

M. de Valmont, who contrasts a lot, it seems to me, with all those
under which we have represented it to you. It is so painful to think
disadvantageously to anyone, so annoying to find only
vices in those who would have all the necessary qualities to do
to love virtue! Finally, you love so much to use indulgence that it is
require you to give you reasons to come back on a judgment
too rigorous. M. de Valmont seems to me justified in hoping for this favor,
I would almost say this justice; and here is what I think about it.
He made this morning one of those races that could make one think
some project from him in the vicinity, as the idea you in
had come, idea that I'm accusing myself of having seized perhaps with too much
of vivacity. Fortunately for him, and especially for us, since this
saves us from being unjust, one of my people had to go to the same side
than him [18], and that is where my reprehensible curiosity, but
happy, was satisfied. He told us that Mr. de Valmont, having
found in the village of ... an unfortunate family whose
furniture, for want of having been able to pay the taxes, had not only been
eager to pay the debts of these poor people, but even had
given a considerable amount of money. My servant has been
witness to this virtuous action, and he also told me that
peasants, chatting with one another and with him, had said that a servant,
that they have designated and that mine believes to be that of Mr. de Valmont,
yesterday had information on those of the villagers who
could need help. If this is so, it is not even
not only a passing compassion and that the occasion determines:
it is the project formed to do good; it is the solicitude of the
beneficence, it is the most beautiful virtue of the most beautiful souls; but,
chance or project, it is always a commendable action and the
my story alone moved me to tears. I will add more, and
always by justice, that when I told him about this action,
which he did not say a word, he started by defending himself and had
seemed to put so little value in it when it was agreed that its
modesty doubled its merit.
[18] Madame de Tourvel does not dare to say that it was by her order?
Now tell me, my respectable friend, if M. de Valmont is in

effect a libertine without return? If he is just that and behaves
thus, what will remain to honest people? What! the villains
Would they share with the good the sacred pleasure of beneficence?
Would God allow a virtuous family to receive from the hand of a
scoundrel, help from whom she would give thanks to her divine Providence?
and could it please to hear pure mouths spread their
Blessings on a reprobate? No. I prefer to believe that these mistakes,
to be long, are not eternal, and I can not think that
he who does good is the enemy of virtue. M. de Valmont is not
perhaps one more example of the danger of liaisons. I stop
to this idea that pleases me. If, on the one hand, it can be used for
justify in your mind, on the other it makes me more and more
precious the tender friendship that unites me to you for life.
_P.-S ._-- Mrs. de Rosemonde and I are going, in the moment, to see
also the honest and unhappy family, and join our late help
to those of M. de Valmont. We will take him with us. We will give
less to these good people the pleasure of seeing their benefactor; it is,
I believe, all he has left us to do.

LETTER XXIII
We stayed on my return to the castle: I resume my story.
I had only time to do a little toilet and I went to

living room, where my beautiful girl was doing tapestry, while the priest of
The place was reading the gazette to my old aunt. I went to sit near
of career. Looks, softer still than usual and almost
caressants, made me guess soon that the servant had already
reported on his mission. Indeed, my curious curious could not
to keep secret the secret she had stolen from me, and without
fear of interrupting a venerable pastor whose debit was like
yet to that of a prone: "I have also my news to debit",
she said, and immediately she recounted my adventure, with a
exactness which did honor to the intelligence of his historian. You
judge how I displayed all my modesty; but who could stop
a woman who, without suspecting it, praises what she loves? I
so decided to let it go. It looked like she preached
panegyric of a saint. Meanwhile, I observed, not without hope,
everything that promised to love his animated gaze, his gesture became
more free and above all this sound of voice which, by its alteration already
sensitive, betrayed the emotion of his soul. As soon as she finished
to speak: "Come, my nephew," said Madame de Rosemonde, "come, let me
kiss. " I felt immediately that the pretty preacher could not
defend to be kissed in turn. However, she wanted to flee, but
she was soon in my arms, and, far from having the strength to resist,
it scarcely remained for him to support himself. The more I observe this
woman, and more she seems desirable to me. She hastened to return
to his profession and seemed, for everyone, to start again his
tapestry; but me, I realized that his trembling hand did not
did not allow him to continue his work.
After dinner, the ladies wanted to see the unfortunate

I had so piously helped; I accompanied them. I'm saving you
the boredom of this second scene of gratitude and praise. My heart,
pressed with a delicious memory, hasty the moment of return to the castle.
On the road, my beautiful president, more dreamy than usual,
did not say a word. All busy finding ways to enjoy
of the effect that the event of the day had produced, I kept the same
silence. Madame de Rosemonde alone spoke and only obtained from us
short and rare answers. We had to bore him: I had the project,
and he succeeds. Also, when getting out of the car, she passed in her
apartment and left us head to head, my beautiful and me, in a living room
poorly lit soft darkness, which emboldens timid love.
I did not bother to lead the conversation where I wanted to

drive. The fervor of the kind preacher served me better than
could not do my address. "When one is worthy to do good,
she said, stopping on me her sweet eyes, how do we go
his life to do wrong? "" I deserve, "I replied," neither this praise nor
this censorship, and I can not conceive with as much mind that you
have some, you have not yet guessed me. Because of my confidence
with you, you are too worthy to be possible for me
to refuse you You will find the key to my driving in a
character unfortunately too easy. Surrounded by people without morals,
I imitated their vices; I may have put self-esteem
surpass. Seduced likewise here by the example of virtues, without hope
to reach you, I have at least tried to follow you. And maybe
the action you rent me today would lose all its price to
your eyes, if you knew the real motive! (You see, my
beautiful friend, how close I was to the truth.) It's not mine,
I continued, "those unfortunates have had my help. Where do you believe
to see a commendable action, I was only looking for a way to please. I
was, as it must be said, only the weak agent of divinity
I love (here she wanted to interrupt me, but I did not give her any
the weather). At this very moment, I added, my secret escapes me
only by weakness. I had promised to shut you up; I was doing myself
a happiness to give back to your virtues as to your appas a pure homage that
you would never know; but, unable to deceive, when I under
eyes the example of candor, I will not have to reproach myself with
you guilty concealment. Do not think I outrage you
by a criminal hope. I will be unhappy, I know it; but
my sufferings will be dear to me; they will prove to me the excess of my
love; it is at your feet, it is in your breast that I will deposit
my sadness. I will draw strength from it to suffer again; I
will find compassionate kindness, and I will think myself consoled because
you will have complained to me. O how much I adore you! listen to me, pity me,
help me. "However, I was on his knees and I was shaking hands
in mine; but she, suddenly clearing them and crossing them
on his eyes, with the expression of despair: "Ah! unhappy! "
she exclaimed, then burst into tears. Fortunately I had
delivered so much that I cried too, and, taking up his hands, I
bathed them with tears. This precaution was very necessary; because
she was so busy with her pain that she would not have noticed
mine, if I had not found this way to warn him. I won
no longer to consider at leisure this charming figure, embellished again by
the powerful attraction of tears. My head was warming up and I was so little
Master of me, that I was tempted to take advantage of this moment.
What is our weakness? What is the empire of circumstances,

if myself, forgetting my projects, I risked losing, by a
premature triumph, the charm of long fights and the details of a
painful defeat; if, seduced by a young man's desire, I thought
to expose the winner of Mme de Tourvel to collect, for the fruit of
his work, that the insipid advantage of having had one more woman!
Ah! that she surrender, but that she fights; that without having the strength
to conquer, she has that of resisting; that she savor at leisure the
feeling weak and forced to admit defeat.
Let the obscure poacher kill on the lookout the deer he has caught;
the real hunter must force him. This project is sublime, is not it?
But perhaps I would regret it now that I did not follow it,
if chance had not come to the aid of my prudence.
We heard a noise. We came to the salon. Madame de Tourvel, frightened,

rose hurriedly, grabbed one of the torches, and went out. he
we had to let her do it. It was only a servant. immediately
that I was assured, I followed her. I had hardly taken a few steps
that, whether she recognize me or a vague feeling of terror, I
heard him rush his steps and throw himself, rather than enter, into his
apartment, whose door she closed on her. I went there; but the key
was inside. I took care not to strike: it would have been to provide him
the opportunity of resistance too easy. I had the happy and simple
idea of ??trying to see through the lock, and I actually live this
adorable woman on her knees, bathed in tears and praying with fervor. What
Did God dare to invoke? Is it powerful enough against love?
In vain is she now seeking foreign help: it is I who
will settle his fate.
Believing that I had enough for one day, I also withdrew

apartment and started writing to you. I hoped to see her at supper again;
but she did say that she had been indisposed and had
in bed. Madame de Rosemonde wished to go up to her house; but the malicious
The patient pretended a headache that did not allow him to see anyone.
You think that after supper the vigil was short and that I also had
my headache. When I got home, I wrote a long letter to
complain about this rigor, and I went to bed, with the project of the
hand in this morning. I slept badly, as you can see, by the date
of this letter. I got up and read my epistle again. I am
I noticed that I did not observe enough, that I showed more
ardor than love and more humor than sadness. It will take
to redo, but it would have to be calmer.
I see the point of the day, and I hope that the freshness that
accompanying him will bring me sleep. I'll go back to bed, and, what
whatever the empire of this woman, I promise you not to take care
so much of her that I do not have time to think much about you.
Goodbye, my beautiful friend.
_De ..., this 21st of August 17 **, 4 am._
LETTER XXIV
_The Vicomte de VALMONT to the President of TOURVEL._
Ah! by pity, madam, deign to calm the trouble of my soul; deign

teach me what to expect or fear. Placed between the excess of
happiness and that of misfortune, uncertainty is a cruel torment.
Why did I talk to you? What did I resist to the imperious charm
who gave you my thoughts? Glad to worship you in silence, I
enjoyed at least my love, and that pure feeling, that troubled
then the image of your grief was enough for my happiness; but
this source of happiness has become one of despair since
I saw your tears flow, since I heard this cruel _Ah!
unhappy! _ Madam, these two words will sound long in my
heart. By what fatality the sweetest feelings can not you
inspire that dread! What is this fear? Ah! it's not
the one to share it: your heart that I did not know is not for
love; mine, which you constantly slander, is the only one that is
sensitive; yours is even without mercy. If it were not so,
you would not have refused a word of consolation to the unfortunate who
told of his sufferings; you would not have withdrawn from his
looks, when he has no other pleasure than that of seeing you; you do not
you would not be doing a cruel game of his anxiety, by making him
to announce that you were ill, without allowing him to go to inquire
of your state; you would have felt that same night, which was not for
you that twelve hours of rest, was going to be for him a century of
pain.
Where, tell me, did I deserve this distressing rigor? I do not fear
not to take you for judge. What have I done? What to give to a
an involuntary sentiment inspired by beauty and justified by virtue;
always contained by the respect, and whose innocent confession was the effect
trust, not hope. Will you betray this trust
that you yourself seemed to allow me and to which I gave myself
without reservation? No, I can not believe it; what would you suppose a
wrong and my heart revolts at the mere thought of finding you one: I
disavow my reproaches; I could write them, but not think them.
Ah! let me believe you perfect, it's the only pleasure that
rest. Prove me that you are, giving me your generous care.
What unfortunate man have rescued you who needed it as much as I?
Do not abandon me in the delirium into which you have plunged me; Lend me
your reason, since you have delighted mine; after correcting me,
enlighten me to finish your work.
I do not want to deceive you: you will not succeed in defeating my

love, but you will teach me to solve it: by guiding my steps,
dictating my speeches, you will save me at least from the frightful misfortune of
you displease. Above all, dispel this desperate fear; tell me
that you pardon me, that you pity me; make sure of your
indulgence. You will never have the one I want you;
but I ask for the one I need: will you refuse it?
Farewell, madame; receive with kindness the homage of my feelings; he ... not
night point to that of my respect.
LETTER XXV
Here is the bulletin of yesterday.
At eleven o'clock I entered Madame de Rosemonde's, and under her auspices

I was introduced to the sick feint, who was still in bed. She
his eyes were very beaten; I hope she had slept badly
me. I seized a moment when Madame de Rosemonde had gone away to
deliver my letter. They refused to take it; but I left it on the
bed and went honestly approach the chair of my old aunt
who wanted to be with his dear child. It was necessary to tighten the
letter to avoid the scandal. The patient says awkwardly that she
thought he had a little fever. Madame de Rosemonde urged me to feel him
the pulse, praising my knowledge of medicine. My beautiful
had the double sadness of being obliged to give me her arm and
to feel that his little lie was going to be discovered. Indeed, I took
his hand that I squeeze into one of mine, while on the other I
went through his cool, chubby arm; the malicious person did not answer
for nothing, which made me say in withdrawing: "There is not even the most
slight emotion. "I suspected that his looks must be severe,
and, to punish her, I did not look for them. A moment later, she says
that she wanted to get up and we left her alone. She appeared at
dinner which was sad; she announced that she would not go for a walk, this
who was telling me that I would not have occasion to talk to him. I felt
although it was necessary to place there a sigh and a painful look; without
doubt she was expecting it because that was the only time of the day when
I managed to meet his eyes. As wise as she is, she has her
little ruses like any other. I found the moment to ask him _si
she had been good enough to instruct me in my lot, and I was a little
astonished to hear him answer me: "Yes, sir, I have written to you."
I was very eager to have this letter; but either cunning again, or
clumsiness, or shyness, she only gave it to me at night
to go home. I send it to you as well as the draft of the
mine; read and judge, see what false insignia she says
that she has no love, when I am sure of the contrary; and
she will complain if I cheat her after, when she's not afraid of
fool me before! My beautiful friend, the most adroit man can not yet
only to stand at the level of the truest woman. It will however
to pretend to believe all this drivel, and get tired of despair,
because it pleases madame to play rigor! The way not to
to avenge these darknesses! Ah! patience ... but goodbye. I still
a lot to write.
By the way, you will send me the letter of the inhuman; it may be
to make that, afterwards, she wanted us to give a price to these miseries,
and you have to be in good standing.
I do not speak of small Volanges; we will talk about it

first day.
_Of the castle, this 22nd of August 17 ** ._
LETTER XXVI
_The President of TOURVEL at Vicomte de VALMONT._
Surely, sir, you would have had no letter from me, if my

silly driving yesterday evening forced me to enter today in
explanation with you. Yes, I cried, I admit it; maybe also
the two words which you quote to me with so much care, have they escaped me;
tears and words, you have noticed everything; so you have to explain
all.
Accustomed to inspire only honest feelings, to hear only

speeches that I can listen to without blushing, to enjoy therefore
a security that I dare to say that I deserve, I do not know how to conceal
nor to fight the impressions that I feel. Amazement and embarrassment
where threw me your process; I do not know what fear, inspired by a
a situation that should never have been done for me; maybe the idea
revolting to see me confused with the women you despise
and treated as lightly as they; all these causes brought together
provoked my tears and was able to make me say, with reason I believe, that
I was unhappy. This expression that you find so strong would
surely much too weak still if my cries and my speeches
had another motive; if instead of disapproving feelings
who must offend me, I was afraid to share them.
No, sir, I do not have that fear; if I had it, I would flee to
a hundred leagues from you; I would go and cry in a desert the misfortune of you
have known. Maybe even, despite the certainty where I am of not
to love you, to never love you, perhaps I would have done better
follow the advice of my friends: do not let you approach
me.
I believed, and this is my only fault, I thought you would respect

an honest woman, who asked nothing better than to find you
such and to do you justice; who already defended you while
you outrage him by your criminal wishes. You do not know me;
No, sir, you do not know me. Without that you would not have
believed you to make a right of your wrongs; because you held me
speech that I should not hear, you would not have thought
authorized to write me a letter that I did not have to read, and you told me
ask to _guide your steps, to dictate your speech_! Well!
sir, silence and forgetfulness, here are the tips that I like
to give you, as you follow them; then, you will, in
effect, rights to my indulgence; it's up to you to
to get even to my gratitude ... But no, I will not do a
ask him who has not respected me; I will not give a
mark of trust to the one who abused my security.
You force me to fear you, maybe to hate you, I did not want to
not; I wanted to see in you only the nephew of my most respectable
friend; I oppose the voice of friendship to the public voice that you
accused. You destroyed everything and, I predict, you will not want
fix nothing.
I hold, sir, to declare to you that your feelings

offend me, that their confession misers me, and especially that, far from coming
one day to share them, you would force me never to see you again if
you do not impose on this object a silence that I seem to have
right to wait, and even to demand from you. I enclose this letter
the one you wrote to me, and I hope you'll want to
even give me this one; I would be really sorry for him to stay
no trace of an event that should never have existed. I have the honor
to be, etc.
_De ..., this 21st of August 17 ** ._
LETTER XXVII
My God, how good you are, ma'am! as you have felt

it would be easier for me to write to you than to speak to you! Also, it's
that what I have to say to you is very difficult; but you are my
friend, is not it true? Oh! yes, my good friend! I will try to
do not be afraid and then, I need you so much, your advice!
I feel sorry for myself, it seems to me that everyone guesses what I
think, and especially when he's there, I blush as soon as they look at me.
Yesterday, when you saw me crying, it was because I wanted to talk to you,
and then I do not know what stopped me, and when you asked me what
that I had, my tears came despite myself. I could not have said
a word. Without you, mom would see it, and what would
I would have become? That's how I spend my life, especially since
four days.
That's the day, ma'am, yes, I'll tell you, it's that day
that Monsieur le Chevalier Danceny has written to me: oh! I assure you that when
I found his letter, I did not know at all what it was; but,
so as not to lie, I can not say that I did not have much fun
by reading it; do you see, I'd better have sorrow all my
life only if he had not written it to me. But I knew that I did not
did not have to tell him, and I can assure you that I told him
said that I was angry, but he said it was stronger than him and
I believe it well; because I had decided not to answer him and yet
I could not help it. Oh! I only wrote to him once, and
it was, in part, to tell him not to write to me any more; but despite
that he always writes to me, and as I do not answer him, I can see
that it is sad and it afflicts me even more, so I do not
know what to do, what to do, and how much to complain about.
Tell me, please, ma'am, would it be a bad thing to

to answer him from time to time? only until he could
take it upon himself to no longer write to me himself, and to stay as we do
were before; because for me, if it continues, I do not know what
I will become. Look, reading his last letter, I cried that it
did not finish, and I'm sure if I do not answer him
again, it will hurt us a lot.
I will send you his letter as well or a copy and you will judge;
you will see that nothing is wrong with him. However, if
you think it must not be, I promise you to stop me;
but I believe that you will think like me, that this is not wrong.
While I'm here, ma'am, let me tell you again

a question: I was told that it was wrong to love someone;
but why? What makes me ask you is that Mr.
Knight Danceny claims that it's not bad at all, and that almost
everybody Loves; if that was so, I do not see why I would be
the only one to prevent me; or is it a harm only for
the ladies? for I have heard Mama herself say that Miss D ...
loved MM .. and she did not talk about it as something that would
that bad; and yet I'm sure she would be mad at me if
she suspected only of my friendship for Mr. Danceny. She treats me
always as a child, mom, and she does not tell me anything at all. I
thought when she took me out of the convent, that it was for me
to marry, but now it seems to me that no; it's not that I am
care, I assure you, but you, who are friends with her, you know
maybe that's it, and if you know it I hope you'll give it to me
say.
That's a very long letter, ma'am, but since you allowed me

to write to you, I took the opportunity to tell you everything and I'm counting on
your friendship.

LETTER XXVIII
What! miss, you still refuse to answer me! Nothing

can bend you, and every day carries with him the hope that he had
bring! What is this friendship that you endorse
between us if it is not even powerful enough to make you
sensitive to my pain; if it leaves you cold and quiet, while
that I feel the torments of a fire that I can not extinguish; so far
to inspire you with confidence, it is not enough to even
to develop your pity? What! your friend suffers and you do nothing
to rescue him! He only asks you a word and you refuse him!
and you want him to be content with such a feeble feeling, of which you
be afraid to repeat his assurances!
You would not want to be ungrateful, you said yesterday; ah! believe me,
Miss, wanting to pay for love with friendship, it's not
to fear ingratitude is to fear only to look at it.
However, I do not dare to talk to you about a feeling that can only
to be dependent, if it does not interest you; it takes at least
to shut up in myself while waiting for me to learn to conquer it. I smell
how hard this work will be; I do not hide myself that I will have
need all my strength; I will try every means; he is one
which will cost the most to my heart: it will be the one to repeat to me often that
yours is insensitive. I will even try to see you less, and already
I take care to find a plausible pretext.
What! I will lose the sweet habit of seeing you every day! Ah!
at least I will never stop regretting it. An eternal misery will be
the price of the most tender love, and you will have wanted it, and it will be
your work! I never feel it, I will only find happiness again
I'm losing today; you alone were made for my heart; with which
I will take the oath to live only for you! But you do not
do not want to receive it, your silence teaches me enough that your heart
does not say anything to me, it is both the most sure proof of
your indifference and the most cruel way to announce it to me.
Goodbye, miss.
I dare not flatter myself with an answer, love would have written with
eagerness, friendship with pleasure, pity even with complacency;
but pity, friendship and love are also foreign to your
heart.
LETTER XXIX
I told you, Sophie, that there were cases where we could

write, and I assure you that I reproach myself for having followed your
the opinion which has so much trouble to me, to Chevalier Danceny and me.
The proof that I was right is that Ms. de Merteuil, who is a
woman who surely knows it, ended up thinking like me. I him
I confessed everything. She told me first like you, but when I tell her
I explained everything, she agreed that it was very different; she
only requires me to show him all my letters and all
those of the Chevalier Danceny, to be sure that I will not say that this
that will be needed; so now, here I am, quiet. My God, whom I
love him Madame de Merteuil! She is so good! and she's a good woman
respectable. So there is nothing to say.
How I am going to write to Mr. Danceny and how happy he will be! he
will be even more than he believes, because so far I did not speak to him
that of my friendship, and he always wanted me to say my love. I
believe it was the same thing, but finally I did not dare and he
was anxious about that. I told Ms. de Merteuil, she told me that I had
right, and that we should agree to have love only when we
could not help it anymore; but I am sure that I will not be able to
not stop me any longer; after all, it's the same thing and
it will please him more.
Mme de Merteuil also told me that she would lend me books that
were talking about all this and who would teach me well to lead me and
also to write better than I do; because, do you see, she tells me all my
defects, which is proof that she loves me; she recommended me
only to say nothing to mom about those books, because that would have
look like she's neglected my education too much, and that could
to anger her. Oh! I will not tell him anything.
It is quite extraordinary that a woman who is not near me

no relative takes more care of me than my mother! It's very happy
for me to have known it!
She also asked Mom to take me to the Opera the day after tomorrow, in
his lodge; she told me we would be there alone, and we
let us talk all the time without fear of being heard; I like
better than the Opera. We will also talk about my marriage because
she told me it was true that I was going to get married, but we
could not say more. For example, is not it still good
wonder that mom does not tell me anything?
Farewell, my Sophie, I am going to write to Chevalier Danceny. Oh! I am

very happy.
XXX LETTER
Finally, sir, I consent to write to you, to assure you of my

friendship, of my love, since otherwise you would be unhappy. You
say that I do not have a good heart; I assure you that you are
deceive and I hope that now you no longer doubt it. If you have
had sorrow of what I did not write to you, do you believe that it
did not hurt me too? But it's that for everything
in the world, I would not do anything that was wrong, and even
I certainly would not have agreed on my love if I had been able to
prevent; but your sadness hurt me too much. I hope that
present you will not have any more and that we will be very happy.
I intend to have the pleasure of you tonight, and that you will come from
early it will never be as soon as I want it. Mom soup
at her place and I believe she will suggest you to stay there; I hope that
you will not be engaged as the day before yesterday. It was so nice
supper where you were going? for you have been there very early. But
Well, let's not talk about that, now that you know that I love you,
I hope you will stay with me as much as you can; because I do not
I'm glad that when I'm with you, and I would like that
you were all the same.
I'm sorry you're still sad now, but this

It's not my fault. I will ask to play the harp as soon as
you will have arrived, so that you have my letter right away. I do not
can do better.
Goodbye, sir. I love you, with all my heart; the more I tell you
say, the happier I am; I hope you will be too.
LETTER XXXI
Yes, no doubt, we will be happy. My happiness is of course since

I am loved by you; yours will never end if it has to last as long
than the love you inspired me. What! you love me, you do not
be more afraid of assuring me of your love! _The more you tell me and
the happier you are! After reading this charming _je vous aime_,
written by your hand, I heard your beautiful mouth repeat it to me
confession. I saw those charming eyes that were beautified on me
still the expression of tenderness. I received your oaths to live
always for me. Ah! receive mine to devote my whole life to
your happiness; receive him, and be assured that I will not betray him.
What a happy day we had yesterday! Ah! why Ms. de

Merteuil does not she every day have secrets to tell your
mum? Why does the idea of ??constraint waiting for us
come to mingle with the delicious memory that occupies me? Why can not I
constantly hold that pretty hand that wrote to me _I love you_! the
cover up with kisses and avenge me the refusal you made me
a bigger favor!
Tell me, my Cecile, when your mother was home, when we

been forced, by his presence, to have no more for each other than
indifferent looks; when you could no longer comfort me by
the assurance of your love, the refusal you gave me to give me
evidence, have you felt no regret? are not you
said: A kiss would have made him happier, and it was I who delighted him
this happiness? Promise me, my kind friend, that at the first opportunity
you will be less severe. With this promise I will find
courage to bear the annoyances that circumstances
prepare, and the cruel privations will be at least softened by the
certainty that you share the regret.
Farewell, my charming Cecile, this is the hour when I must go to

you. It would be impossible for me to leave you if it was not to go
see you again. Farewell, you whom I love so much! you, whom I will always love
more!
LETTER XXXII
_Madame de VOLANGES to the President of TOURVEL._
Do you wish, madame, that I believe in the virtue of M. de Valmont?

I admit that I can not do it and that I would have so much trouble
to judge him honest, by the mere fact that you tell me, that
to believe a man of well-known good, whose fault I would learn.
Mankind is perfect in no kind, no more in evil than
in the good. The scoundrel has his virtues, as the honest man has his
weaknesses. This truth seems to me all the more necessary to believe
that it is from her that derives the necessity of indulgence for the
wicked as for the good ones, and that it protects them from pride
and save others from discouragement. You will probably find that I
at this moment, I practice this indulgence which I preach; but
I can see in her only a dangerous weakness, when she
leads to treating the same as the vicious and the good man.
I will not allow myself to scrutinize the motives of the action of M. de

Valmont; I want to believe that they are commendable like her, but does he
least spent his life carrying in trouble, dishonor
and the scandal? Listen, if you will, the voice of the unfortunate he has
rescued, but it does not stop you from hearing the cries of a hundred
victims he sacrificed. When he would be, as you say,
that an example of the danger of the bonds, would it be less itself a
dangerous connection? Do you suppose he is likely to return happily?
Go further; suppose this miracle happened. Would not he stay
against it public opinion, and is not enough to settle your
conduct? Only God can absolve at the moment of repentance: he reads in
hearts. But men can only judge thoughts by the
shares, and none of them, having lost the esteem of others,
right to complain about the necessary mistrust that makes this loss so
difficult to repair. Think especially, my young friend, that sometimes he
it is enough, to lose this esteem, to seem to attach too little
of price; and do not tax this severity of injustice, because besides
is justified in believing that we do not give up this precious good when we have
right to claim, this one is indeed closer to doing wrong who
no longer contained by this powerful brake. This, however, would be the aspect
under which you would show an intimate connection with M. de Valmont,
innocent as she could be.
Frightened by the warmth with which you defend him, I hasten

to prevent the objections I anticipate. You will quote me from
Merteuil, to whom this liaison has been forgiven; you will ask me
why I receive him at my house; you will tell me that far from being rejected
by honest people he is admitted, sought even in what we
call good company. I can, I believe, answer everything.
First Madame de Merteuil, indeed very estimable, may have no other

lack of confidence in his strength; he is a skilled guide who
likes to drive a chariot between rocks and precipices, and that
success alone justifies. It's just to praise it, it would be reckless
to follow her; she agrees and accuses herself. As she has
saw more, his principles became more severe, and I do not fear
not to make sure she thinks like me.
As for what concerns me, I will not justify myself more than
other. No doubt I receive M. de Valmont, and he is received everywhere;
it's another inconsistency to add to a thousand others who govern
the society. You know, like me, that you spend your life noticing them,
to complain about it and to indulge in it. M. de Valmont, with a beautiful name, a
great fortune, many kind qualities, recognized early
that to have the empire in the society it was enough to handle, with
an equal address, praise and ridicule. No one has as
him this double talent: he seduces with the one and is feared with
the other. We do not value it, but we flatter it. That is his existence
in the midst of a world that, more cautious than brave, likes the
only to fight it.
But neither Madame de Merteuil herself, nor any other woman, would dare
no doubt go and shut up in the country, almost face to face
with such a man. It was reserved for the wisest, the most modest
among them to give the example of this inconsistency; excuse me
this word, he escapes friendship. My beautiful friend, your honesty
betrays you with the security it inspires you. So think
you will have for judges, on the one hand, frivolous people who will not believe
not to a virtue of which they do not find the model at home, and of
the other, villains who will pretend not to believe, to punish you
to have had it. Consider that you are doing, in this moment, what
some men would not dare to risk. Indeed, among the young
people of whom M. de Valmont has only too much done the oracle, I see the
Wiser to be afraid of appearing too intimately connected with him; and you,
you do not fear it! Ah! come back, come back, I conjure you ... If
my reasons are not enough to persuade you, yield to my friendship;
it is she who makes me renew my authorities, it's up to her to
to justify. You find it severe, and I wish it to be useless;
but I prefer that you have to complain of his solicitude that
his negligence.
LETTER XXXIII
As soon as you fear to succeed, my dear Viscount, as soon as your

project is to provide weapons against you and you want less
to conquer that to fight, I have nothing more to say. Your conduct
is a masterpiece of caution. She would be one of foolishness in the
contrary assumption; and to speak to you true, I'm afraid you do not
you make illusion.
What I reproach you for is not not having taken advantage of the moment.
On the one hand, I do not see clearly that he had come; on the other, I
know enough, whatever you say, that a missed opportunity is found,
while we never come back from a hurried step.
But the real school is to let yourself go writing. I

you now challenge to predict where this can lead you. By chance,
do you hope to prove to this woman that she must surrender? He is
seems that this can only be a truth of feeling and not of
demonstration, and that to receive it, it is a question of softening
and not to reason; but what would you use to tenderize by
letters, since you would not be here to enjoy it? When your
beautiful phrases would produce the drunkenness of love, do you flatter yourself
long enough for reflection to have no time for it
to prevent the confession? So think of the one needed to write a letter,
to what happens before it is handed over; and see if, especially one
woman with principles like your devotee, may want so long this
that she tries to never want. This walk can succeed with
children, who, when they write I love you, do not know
they say I surrender. But the reasoning virtue of Mme de Tourvel
seems to me very well to know the value of the terms. Also, despite
the benefit you had taken on her in your conversation she
you are fighting in his letter. And then, do you know what happens? By this
only one argues, one does not want to give in. By dint of looking for good
reasons, we find them, we say them, and after we hold them, not so much
because they are good so as not to contradict themselves.
In addition, a remark that I am surprised you did not do is

that there is nothing so difficult in love than to write what one does not
not feel. I say writing in a likely way, it's not that we
do not use the same words, but they are not arranged in the same way, or
rather, they are arranged, and that is enough. Re-read your letter, he reigns there
an order that detects you in every sentence. I want to believe that your
President is not well enough trained to be unaware of it, but
who cares? The effect is none the less missed. This is the fault of
novels; the author is fighting his flanks to warm up, and the reader
stay cold. Heloise is the only one that can be excepted; and despite
the talent of the author, this observation has always made me believe that
the fund was true. It is not the same when speaking. The habit
to work one's organ gives it sensibility; the ease of
tears adds to it; the expression of desire merges into
eyes with that of tenderness; finally, the speech less followed leads
more easily that air of disorder and disorder that is the true
eloquence of love; and especially the presence of the loved object prevents the
reflection and makes us want to be defeated.
Believe me, viscount, you are commanded not to write; enjoy it

to fix your fault and wait for the opportunity to speak. Do you know
that this woman has more strength than I thought? His defense is
good, and without the length of her letter and the pretense that she will
gives to enter into matter in its sentence of recognition, it does not
would not be betrayed at all.
What still seems to me to reassure you about the success is

that she uses too many forces at once; I predict that she will exhaust them
for the defense of the word, and that there will be none left for that of
the thing.
I send you back your two letters and, if you are careful, it will be
the last until after the happy moment. If it was later, I
you would talk about the small Volanges which is moving fast enough and of which I
I am very happy. I think I'll have finished before you and you have to
to be very happy. Goodbye for today.
LETTER XXXIV
You speak wonderfully, my beautiful friend, but why do you so much

to tire of proving what no one knows? To go fast in love,
it is better to speak than to write; this, I believe, is your whole letter.
Hey, but! they are the simplest elements of the art of seduction. I
only notice that you make only one exception to this principle
and that there are two. To children who follow this march by shyness
and indulge by ignorance, we must join the beautiful women spirits,
who let themselves be engaged by self-esteem and that vanity leads in
the trap. For example, I am sure that the Countess of B ..., who
answered without difficulty to my first letter, had not then more
love for me than me for her, and that she only saw the opportunity to
to treat a subject that would do him honor.
Anyway, a lawyer would tell you that the principle does not apply
not to the question. Indeed, you suppose that I have the choice between
write and speak, which is not. Since the case of the 29th, my
inhumane, who stands on the defensive, has set to avoid meetings
an address that baffled mine. It's to the point that if that
continue, it will force me to seriously
take back this advantage; for surely I do not want to be defeated by her
in no way. My letters are the subject of a little war. No
pleased not to answer, she refuses to receive them. It takes for
each one a new ruse, and which does not always succeed.
You remember by what simple means I had delivered the first; the
second did not offer more difficulty. She had asked me to him
to give back her letter, I gave her mine in place, without her having the
slightest suspicion. But, regardless of having been caught or whim,
or finally, virtue, because it will force me to believe it, she refused
stubbornly the third. I hope, however, that the embarrassment where thought
to put it following this refusal will correct it for the future.
I was not very surprised that she did not want to receive this letter
that I simply offered him: it would have already been
thing and I expect a longer defense. After this attempt,
which was only a passing essay, I put an envelope to my
letter, and taking the moment of the toilet, where Madame de Rosemonde and the
maid were present, I sent it to her by my hunter,
with orders to tell him that it was the paper she had asked me for.
I had guessed that she would fear the scandalous explanation
that would require a refusal. Indeed, she took the letter, and my
ambassador, who had orders to observe his face, and who does not see
not bad, saw only a slight blush and more embarrassment than
anger.
So I congratulated myself, of course, or she would keep this letter, or

that if she wanted to return it to me, she would have to be alone
with me, which would give me an opportunity to talk to him. About one
hour later, one of his people enters my room and gives me
from his mistress, a package of a form other than mine and on
the envelope of which I recognize the writing so much desired. I open with
precipitation...
It was my letter itself, unopened and folded only in two.

I suspect that the fear that I would be less scrupulous than she
on the scandal made him use this devilish ruse.
You know me, I do not need to paint you my fury.

It was necessary, however, to regain his composure and seek new
means. Here is the only one I found.
We go from here, every morning, look for the letters at the post office, which is
about three quarters of a league. This object is used for
covered box roughly like a trunk, which the postmaster has
a key and Madame de Rosemonde the other. Everyone puts his letters in the
day, when it suits him, we wear them at night at the post office and the
in the morning we will look for those who have arrived. All people, strangers
or others, do this service as well. It was not my turn
but he undertook to go there on the pretext that he had
deal on this side.
However, I wrote my letter. I disguised my writing for the address

and I smash the _Dijon_ stamp well enough on the envelope.
I chose this city, because I found it more gay, since I
asked the same rights as the husband, to write also from the same place and
also because my beautiful had talked all day long of the desire she
had to receive letters from Dijon. It seemed just to him
to provide this pleasure.
These precautions once taken, it was easy to get this

letter to others. I still won this expedient to witness
of reception, because the use is here to gather for lunch
and wait for the arrival of the letters before separating. Finally they
arrived.
Madame de Rosemonde opened the box. "From Dijon," she said, giving the
letter to Madame de Tourvel .-- It's not my husband's handwriting, "resumed
this one in a worried voice, breaking the seal with vivacity. The
first glance instructed him, and he made such a revolution on
his face, which Madame de Rosemonde perceived, and said to him, "What have you
got?"
I went too, saying, "This letter is so terrible?"
The shy devout dared not look up, did not say a word, and to save
embarrassment, pretended to go through the epistle that it was hardly
read state. I enjoyed her trouble and not being angry with the
to push a little: "Your quieter look," I added, "makes me hope
that this letter has caused you more astonishment than pain. "
anger then inspired him better than could have done prudence. "She
contains, she replied, things that offend me and that I am
astonished that one has dared to write to me. "- And who? interrupted Mme de
Rosemonde .-- It is not signed, replied the beautiful wrathful, but
the letter and its author inspire me with equal contempt. I will be forced
to say no more about it. "Saying these words, she tore the audacious
Missive put the pieces in her pocket, got up and went out.
Despite this anger, she still got my letter and I

give his curiosity the pleasure of having read it in its entirety.
The detail of the day would take me too far. I add to this story the
draft of my two letters, you will be as educated as I am.
If you want to be aware of this correspondence, you have to
accustom to decipher my minutes because for nothing in the world I do not
would devour the boredom of copying them. Goodbye, my beautiful friend.
LETTER XXXV
You have to obey, Madam, you have to prove to yourself that in the midst of
wrongs that you like to believe me, I still have at least enough
delicacy not to allow me a reproach and enough courage
to impose on me the most painful sacrifices. You order me
silence and forgetfulness! well! I will force my love to shut up and
I will forget, if it is possible, the cruel way in which you have it
welcomed. No doubt the desire to please you did not give it the
right, and I confess again that the need I had for your indulgence
was not a title to obtain it; but you look at my love like
an outrage, you forget that if it could be wrong, you would be
both the cause and the excuse. You also forget that accustomed to
to open my soul, even if this confidence could harm me,
it was no longer possible for me to hide the feelings I am
penetrated, and what was the work of my good faith, you look at it
as the fruit of audacity. For the price of the most tender love, the
more respectful, the more true, you throw me away from you. You tell me
finally talk about your hate ... What else would not complain about being
treated as well? I alone submit, I suffer everything and do not murmur
point, you hit and I love. The inconceivable empire that you have
on me makes you absolute mistress of my feelings, and if my love
you alone resist, if you can not destroy it, it is that it is your
work and not mine.
I do not ask for a return of which I have never flattered myself. I

do not expect even this pity, that the interest you showed me
sometimes could make me hope. But I believe, I admit,
can claim your justice.
You teach me, madam, that you have tried to harm me in your mind.
If you had believed the advice of your friends, you did not have me
even let approach you: these are your terms. What are
these unofficial friends? No doubt these people so severe and so virtuous
rigid agree to be appointed; no doubt they would not want to
to cover them with a darkness that would confound them with vile calumniators,
and I will not ignore their name or their reproaches. Remember, madam, that
I have the right to know one and the other, since you judge me according to
them. We do not condemn a culprit without telling him his crime, without
to name him his accusers. I do not ask for any other grace and I
commit myself in advance to justify myself, to force them to withdraw.
If I have despised, perhaps, the vain clamours of an audience whose

I do not care, it is not so with your esteem, and when
I devote my life to deserve it, I will not let it delight me
impunity. It becomes all the more precious to me that I will owe him
no doubt this request that you fear to make me and that me
give, say you, rights to your gratitude. Ah! far
to ask for it, I will believe you if you give me the opportunity
to be nice to you So start making me more justice,
not letting me ignore what you want from me. If I could
to guess it, I would avoid the trouble of saying it. See you
see add happiness to serve you and I will praise your
indulgence. Who can stop you? it is not, I hope,
the fear of a refusal? I feel that I can not forgive you.
It is not one of you not to return your letter. I wish
more than you, it is no longer necessary for me; but accustomed to
you believe a soul so sweet, it is only in this letter that I
then find yourself as you want to appear. When I form the
wish to make you sensitive, I see that rather than agree
you would flee a hundred leagues from me; when everything in you increases and
justify my love, it is still she who repeats to me that my love you
outrage, and when in seeing you, this love seems to me the supreme good,
I need to read you, to feel that it is only a hideous
torment. You are now thinking that my greatest happiness would be
to be able to return this letter to you; ask me again would be
to allow myself to no longer believe what it contains; you do not doubt,
I hope, from my eagerness to hand it over to you.
LETTER XXXVI
(_Timbr�e de Dijon._)
Your severity increases every day, madam, and if I dare to say it, you
seem less afraid of being unjust than of being indulgent. After
to have condemned me without hearing me, you must have felt indeed that
you would be easier not to read my reasons than to answer them.
You refuse my letters stubbornly, you send them back with me
contempt. You finally force me to resort to trickery, in the very moment
where my only goal is to convince you of my good faith. The necessity
where you put me to defend myself will probably be enough to excuse
ways. Convinced by the sincerity of my feelings,
that to justify them in your eyes it is enough for me to do them
to know well, I thought I could afford this slight detour. I dare
Also believe that you will forgive me and that you will be little surprise
that love is more ingenious to occur, than indifference to
dismiss.
Permit me, therefore, that my heart be fully revealed to you. he
belongs to you, it's just that you know him.
I was very far, when I arrived at Madame de Rosemonde's, to foresee the

a lot that was waiting for me there. I did not know you were there and I will add,
with the sincerity that characterizes me, that when I would have known,
my safety would not have been troubled; not that I make it
your beauty the justice which can not be denied to him; but accustomed
to feel only desires, to give myself only to those whom hope
encouraged, I did not know the torments of love.
You were witness to the proceedings that Mrs. de Rosemonde

stop me for a while. I had already spent a day with you,
however, I did not go, or at least I thought I was going
pleasure, so natural and so legitimate, to show respect for a
respectable parent. The kind of life we ??lived here differed
many probably of the one I was accustomed to, he did not
cost nothing to comply with it, and without seeking to penetrate the cause of the
change in me, I attributed it only to
this facility of character of which I think I have already spoken to you.
Unfortunately (and why must it be a misfortune?), In you

knowing better I recognized soon that this enchanting figure,
who alone had struck me, was the least of your advantages; your soul
Celeste surprised, seduced mine. I admired the beauty, I adored the
virtue. Without pretending to get you, I took care of you. In
claiming your indulgence for the past, I sought your vote
for the future. I was looking for it in your speeches, I spied on it in
your eyes, in these looks from where a poison left all the more
dangerous, that it was poured out without design and received without distrust.
So I knew love. But how far I was from complaining! Resolved

to bury him in an eternal silence, I indulged without fear
as unreservedly to this delicious feeling. Every day was increasing
his empire. Soon the pleasure of seeing you changed into need. You
did you abstain for a moment? my heart sank with sadness; noise
who announced to me your return, he throbbed with joy. I did not exist anymore
only by you and for you. However, it is you who I adjure,
never in the cheerfulness of playful games, or in the interest of a
serious conversation, he escaped me a word that could betray the secret
from my heart?
Finally a day arrived where my misfortune was to begin, and by a

inconceivable fatality an honest action became the signal. Yes,
madam, it was in the midst of the unfortunate that I had rescued you
delivering to that precious sensibility that embellishes the very beauty
and adds a price to virtue, you ended up mislaying a heart that
already too much love intoxicated. You remember, perhaps, what
preoccupation took hold of me on my return! Alas! I was looking for
to fight a penchant that I felt to become stronger than me.
It's after exhausting my strength in this unequal fight that chance,

that I could not have foreseen, made me find alone with you. There I
I succumbed, I admit it. My heart too full could not hold his speeches
neither his tears. But is it a crime? and if it's one, is not it
not enough punished by the frightful torments to which I am delivered?
Devoured by a hopeless love, I implore your pity and find

that your hatred; no other happiness than to see you, my eyes
you look in spite of me and I tremble to meet your looks.
In the cruel state where you reduced me, I spend the days disguising
my sorrows and nights to indulge in them; while you, quiet and
peaceful, you know these torments only to cause them and you
to applaud. However, it is you who are complaining and I am the one who
apologize.
And yet, madam, here is the faithful account of what you call my
wrongs and that perhaps it would be more accurate to call my misfortunes.
A pure and sincere love, a respect that has never been denied,
a perfect submission: these are the feelings you have me
inspired. I would not have feared to present the homage to the deity
even. O you, who are her finest work, imitate her in her
indulgence! Think of my cruel sorrows, think especially that placed by
you enter despair and supreme bliss, the first word you
pronounce will decide forever for my fate.
_De ..., this 23 August 17 ** ._
LETTER XXXVII
I submit myself, madame, to the advice your friendship gives me.

Accustomed to defer everything in your opinion, I am to believe that they
are always based on reason. I will even admit that Mr. de Valmont must
to be infinitely dangerous if he can both pretend to be
what it appears here and stay as you portray it. Whatever it is
either, since you demand it, I will remove it from me, at least I will do it
my possible; because often things that in the background should be
the simplest, become embarrassing in form.
It seems to me always impracticable to make this request to her aunt;

she would also become derogatory to herself and to him.
I would not take, without some repugnance, the party of
to move away myself, for besides the reasons I have already told you
relating to M. de Tourvel, if my departure annoyed M. de Valmont,
as it is possible, would not it be easy for me to follow
Paris? and his return, of which I would be, of which at least I would appear
to be the object, would not it seem more strange than a meeting at the
campaign, in a person known to be his relative and my friend?
So I have no other resource than to get by himself

want to get away. I feel that this proposal is difficult
to do; however, as it seems to me to have at heart to prove to me
that he has indeed more honesty than one assumes, I do not
do not despair of succeeding. I will not even be sorry to tempt him and
to have an opportunity to judge whether, as he often says, women
really honest never had, will never have to complain about his
processes. If he leaves, as I wish, it will be because of
for me; because I can not doubt that he has the plan to move here
much of autumn. If he refuses my request and insists
to stay, I will always be in time to leave myself and I will
promise.
That, I believe, Madam, all that your friendship required of me, I
I hasten to satisfy you and prove to you that despite _the heat_
that I was able to defend M. de Valmont, I am none the less
willing not only to listen but even to follow the advice of
my friends.
LETTER XXXVIII
Your huge package is coming to me now, my dear viscount. If the date

it is correct, I ought to have received it twenty-four hours earlier;
anyway, if I took the time to read it, I would not
more than to answer it. So I prefer to blame you only
reception and we will talk about something else. It's not that I have nothing
to tell you on my behalf; autumn leaves Paris almost no point
men who have a human face; so for a month now I've been
wisdom to perish, and anything other than my knight would be tired of
proofs of my constancy. Unable to take care of myself, I distracted myself with
little Volanges, and from her I want to speak.
Do you know that you have lost more than you think you do not
to charge this child? she is really delicious! this has neither
character and principles; judge how sweet and easy his society will be.
I do not think she ever shines through feeling, but everything
announces in her the most lively sensations. Without spirit and without
finesse, yet it has a certain natural falsity, if one
can speak that way, which sometimes amazes me and will succeed
all the better that his figure offers the image of candor and
ingenuity. She is naturally very caressing and I enjoy it
sometimes; his little head mounts with incredible ease, and
she is so much more pleasant that she knows nothing, absolutely
nothing she wants so much to know. He takes some
very funny impatiences: she laughs, she screams, she cries
and then she begs me to instruct her with genuine good faith
alluring. In truth, I'm almost jealous of the one to whom
pleasure is reserved.
I do not know if I told you that for four or five days I

the honor of being his confidante. You guess that first I did
the severe, but as soon as I realized that she thought I had
convinced by his bad reasons, I seemed to take them for
good, and she is deeply convinced that she owes this success to her
eloquence: this precaution was necessary not to compromise me.
I allowed him to write and say _I love_, and the same day without
that she suspected it, I gave her a t�te-�-t�te with her Danceny.
But do you think he's so stupid yet that he's just not
got a kiss! This boy is nevertheless very pretty! My
God! that these people of mind are stupid! this one is it to the point that it
embarrasses me, because finally, for him, I can not drive him.
It is now that you would be very useful to me. You are quite connected with
Danceny to have his confidence, and if he gave it to you once,
we would go great. Hurry up your president, because finally I
do not want Gercourt to escape; for the rest, I talked about him yesterday
to the little person and have it painted so well that when she would
his wife for ten years, she would not hate him more. I got it
yet much preached about marital fidelity; nothing equals my
severity on this point. By this, on the one hand, I restore to her my
reputation of virtue, which too much condescension could destroy; of
the other, I increase in her the hatred of which I wish to gratify her husband.
And finally I hope that by making him believe that he is not allowed
to indulge in love only during the short time she has to stay
girl, she will decide sooner to lose nothing.
Farewell, viscount; I will go to my toilet where I will read your

volume.
LETTER XXXIX
I am sad and worried, my dear Sophie. I cried almost

the night. It is not that for the moment I am not very happy, but
I predict that it will not last.
I was at the Opera yesterday with Mme de Merteuil, we have a lot

talked about my marriage and I did not learn anything good. It's M.
Count de Gercourt I must marry and it must be monthly
October. He is rich, he is a man of quality, he is colonel of
Regiment of ... Until then everything is going very well. But first he is old:
imagine that he is at least thirty-six years old! and then Mme de Merteuil
says that he is sad and severe, and that she fears that I am not
happy with him. I even saw that she was sure and she
did not want to tell me, not to grieve me. She does not almost
maintained all evening that women's duties towards their
husbands; she agrees that Mr. de Gercourt is not friendly at all and
she says, however, that I will have to love her. Did not she tell me
also that once married, I should not love Chevalier Danceny anymore?
as if it were possible! Oh! I assure you that I will love him
always. You see, I'd rather not get married. That this Mr.
de Gercourt arranges, I have not been looking for him. He is in Corsica at
present, far from here; I would like him to stay there ten years. If I
was not afraid to go back to the convent, I would say to mom that I
do not want that husband; but it would be worse. I am well
embarrassed. I feel that I have never loved Mr. Danceny so much
present, and when I think that I have only one month left to be
as I am, tears come to my eyes immediately; I do not have
consolation only in Madame de Merteuil's friendship; she has so good
heart! she shares all my sorrows like myself and then she is
so amiable, that when I am with her I hardly think of it any more.
Besides, it is very useful to me because the little that I know is it
who taught me that, and she's so good that I tell her all that
I think without being ashamed at all. When she finds that it is
not good, she scolds me sometimes, but it's very slowly, and
then I kiss her with all my heart, until she is no longer
angry. At least that one I can like it as much as I want
without any harm and it makes me very happy. We are
yet agreed that I would not seem to like it so much in front of
the world and especially to mom, so she does not be wary of anything
subject of the knight Danceny. I assure you that if I could always
to live as I do now, I think I would be very happy. he
There's only this ugly Mr. de Gercourt ... But I do not want to talk to you about
it
more, because I would be sad again. Instead, I will write
to the Chevalier Danceny; I will speak to him only of my love and not of my
sorrows, because I do not want to afflict him.
Goodbye, my good friend. You see that you would be wrong to complain
and that I may be busy, as you say, that I do not have any
less time to love you and to write to you [19].
[19] We continue to delete the letters of C�cile Volanges and

Knight Danceny, which are not very interesting and announce
no event.
LETTER XL
It's little for my inhuman not to answer my letters,

refuse to receive them; she wants to deprive me of her sight, she demands
that I move away. What will surprise you more is that I
subject me to so much rigor. You will blame me. However, I
did not think I should lose the opportunity to let me give an order,
persuaded on the one hand that who commands commits, and on the other that
the illusory authority that we seem to let take to the
women is one of the pitfalls they avoid the hardest. Of
more, the address that it has managed to avoid to be alone
with me put me in a dangerous situation, which I felt
to go out at any price, because being constantly with her, without
to be able to occupy it with my love, there was reason to fear that it
finally accustomed himself to see me without trouble; provision of which you know
enough how difficult it is to come back.
Besides, you can guess that I did not submit unconditionally.

I even took care to put one impossible to grant, both for
always be master of keeping my word, or missing it, only to
engage in a discussion, either word of mouth or in writing, in a moment
where my beauty is more happy with me, where she needs me to be
of her, besides I would be very clumsy if I could not find
way to obtain some compensation for my withdrawal from this
pretension, unbearable as it is.
After having explained to you my reasons in this long preamble, I begin

the history of these last two days. I will join as coins
justifying the letter of my beautiful and my answer. You will agree
that there are few historians as accurate as myself.
You remember the effect that my letter of the day before yesterday morning
_Dijon_; the rest of the day was very stormy. The pretty prude arrived
only at dinner time and announced a strong headache, pretext
which she wanted to cover one of the most violent fits of humor that woman
can have. His face was really altered; the expression of
sweetness that you know him had changed into a mutinous look that in
made a new beauty. I promise myself to make use of this
discovered later and sometimes replace the tender mistress
by the mistress mistress.
I predict that the after-dinner would be sad, and to save me the trouble,
I pretended letters to write, and withdrew to my house. I returned
in the salon on the six o'clock; Madame de Rosemonde proposed the walk,
who was accustomed. But when getting in the car, the so-called
sick, by an infernal malice, pretext in turn, and perhaps
to avenge my absence, a redoubling of pain, and made me
to undergo without pity the tete-a-tete of my old aunt. I do not know if the
imprecations that I made against this female demon were answered, but
we found her lying down on her return.
The next day, at lunch, she was no longer the same woman. Sweetness
natural had returned, and I had reason to believe myself forgiven. The
lunch was barely finished as the sweet person got up from an air
indolent and entered the park; I followed her, as you can
believe him. "Where can this desire for a walk come from? I said to him
"I wrote a lot this morning," she replied, "and
head is a little tired .-- I'm not happy enough, I said,
for having to reproach me for this fatigue? - I wrote you well,
she replied again, but I hesitate to give you my letter. She
contains a request, and you did not accustom me to hope for it
success .-- Ah! I swear if it's possible for me .-- Nothing is easier,
she interrupted, and though perhaps you should give it as
justice, I consent to obtain it as grace. "In saying these words, she
presented me his letter; taking it, I also took her hand, that she
withdrew, but without anger and with more embarrassment than liveliness. "The
heat is more vivid than I thought, "she said," we must go home. "
And she went back to the castle. I made vain efforts for him
to persuade him to continue his walk, and I needed to call back
that we could be seen to use only eloquence.
She returned without saying a word, and I clearly saw that this
The pretended walk had no other purpose than to give me his letter.
She went home on her way home, and I went home to read
the epistle, which you will do well to read too, as well as my answer,
before going further...
LETTER XLI
It seems to me, sir, by your conduct with me, that you do not
wanted to increase each day the subjects of complaint that I had
against you. Your obstinacy in wanting to talk to me constantly
a feeling that I do not want or need to listen to; the abuse you
have not feared to do my good faith, or my shyness, for me
deliver your letters the means especially, I dare say little delicate, whose
you used to send me the last, without fear
at least the effect of a surprise that could compromise me; all
should give rise to such blatant reproaches as
deserved. However, instead of going back on these grievances, I am sticking to
you make a request as simple as it is fair, and if I get it from
you, I agree that everything is forgotten.
You yourself have told me, sir, that I should not fear a refusal;
and though, by an inconsistency which is peculiar to you, this
phrase even be followed by the only refusal you could make me [20], I
want to believe that you will hold no less today this word
formally given so few days ago.
[20] See letter XXXV.
So I want you to be kind enough to get away from me,

to leave this castle, where a longer stay from you could
that expose me more to the judgment of an audience always quick to hurt
to think of others, and that you are too accustomed to staring
about women who admit you into their society.
Already warned for a long time of this danger by my friends, I have

neglected, I even fought their opinion as long as your driving to my
regard could have led me to believe that you had kindly
to confuse with this crowd of women who all had to complain
from you. Today that you treat me like them, that I can not
the more I ignore it, I owe it to the public, to my friends, to myself, to follow
this necessary party. I could add here that you would not win
nothing to refuse my request, decided that I am from myself, if
you persisted in staying, but I do not seek to diminish
the obligation that I will have of this complacency, and I am willing
that you know that by requiring my departure from here, you would upset
my arrangements. Prove me then, sir, that as you have me
said so many times, honest women will never have to complain about
you; prove to me at least that when you have wrongs with them,
you know how to fix them.
If I thought I needed to justify my request to you,

it would be enough for me to tell you that you have spent your life making it
necessary, and yet he did not care about me never
form. But do not remember events that I want to forget and
that would force me to judge you with rigor, in a moment when I
offers you to deserve all my gratitude. Goodbye, sir, your
conduct will teach me with what feelings I must be, for the
life, your very humble, etc.
LETTER XLII
No matter how hard, Madam, the conditions that you impose on me, I
do not refuse me to fill them. I feel that it would be impossible for me to
frustrate any of your desires. Once agree on this point, I dare
flatter me that in my turn you will allow me to make you some
requests, much easier to grant than yours, and yet
I want only to obtain my perfect submission to your will.
One, which I hope will be solicited by your justice, is to

to be good enough to name my accusers to you; they make me,
it seems to me that it is bad enough for me to have the right to know them;
the other, which I expect from your indulgence, is to please me
allow you to renew sometimes the homage of a love that will
more than ever deserve your pity.
Remember, Madam, that I hasten to obey you, even though I do not

can do it only at the expense of my happiness; I will say more, despite the
persuasion where I am that you only want my departure for you
to save the always painful sight of the object of your injustice.
Do agree, madam, you are less afraid of an audience too accustomed to

respect you for daring to bring a disadvantageous judgment to you that
you are not embarrassed by the presence of a man that is easier for you
to punish only to blame. You are moving me away from you as one turns away from
looks of an unfortunate man who is not wanted to help.
But while the absence will redouble my torments, to what other

how can I send my complaints? from what other can I
to wait for consolations that will become so necessary to me? Me them
will you refuse, when you alone cause my troubles?
No doubt you will not be surprised either that before leaving I have
heart to justify to you, the feelings you have me
inspired; just as I do not find the courage to go away
by receiving the order from your mouth.
This double reason makes me ask you for a moment of maintenance.

Needlessly we would like to make up for it by letters; we write volumes
and it is difficult to explain what a quarter of an hour of conversation
to make you hear well. You will easily find the time to
to grant it, because, however eager I am to obey you, you know
that Madame de Rosemonde is informed of my plans to go to her house
part of the fall, and at least I'll have to wait for a letter
to be able to excuse a case that forces me to leave.
Farewell, madam, never has this word cost me so much to write as in this
when he brings me back to the idea of ??our separation. If you could
to imagine what it makes me suffer, I dare to believe that you would know me
some thanks for my docility. Receive at least, with more indulgence,
the assurance and the homage of the tenderest love and the most
respectful.
SUITE OF LETTER XL
_the Vicomte de VALMONT at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._

Now, let's reason, my beautiful friend. You feel like me
the scrupulous, the honest Madame de Tourvel, can not grant me
the first of my requests and betray the trust of her friends
by naming me my accusers; so, by promising everything to this
condition, I do not commit myself to anything. But you also feel that this refusal
that she will make me a title to get all the rest, and
that then I gain, while moving away, from entering into her and from her confession
in
correspondence set, because I count for little appointment I
request and which has almost no other purpose than to accustom him in advance to
do not refuse others when they are really necessary.
The only thing I have to do before I leave is to know

who are the people who take care to harm me near her? I suppose
that it is her pedantic husband; I would like it, besides a defense
conjugal is a sting to desire, I would be sure that as long as my
beautiful will have consented to write to me, I would have nothing to fear from his
husband, since she would already find herself in the necessity of deceiving him.
But if she has a friend close enough to have her confidence and
that this friend is against me, it seems to me necessary to
to scramble, and I intend to succeed; but first of all you have to be
educated.
I thought I was going to be yesterday, but this woman does nothing

like another. We were at her house when we came to warn
that dinner was served. His toilet was only ending, and all
pressing and apologizing, I realized she was leaving
the key to his secretary, and I know his use not to remove the one
from his apartment. I dreamed about it during dinner when I heard
to take down his maid; I took my side immediately; I feigned
a bleeding nose and went out. I flew to the secretary, but found
all drawers open and not a written paper. However we do not have
used to burn them in this season. What does she do with letters
which she receives? and she often receives it. I did not neglect everything
was open and I searched everywhere; but I won nothing but me
to convince them that this precious deposit remains in their pockets.
How to draw it? Since yesterday I am busy to find

ways; however, I can not overcome the desire. I regret
do not have the talent of rogues. Should not he, indeed, enter
in the education of a man who mixes with intrigues? would it be
not pleasant to steal the letter or portrait of a rival, or
to draw from the pockets of a prude what to unmask? But our parents
do not think of anything, and I think about everything, I'm just
to see that I am left without being able to remedy it.
Anyway, I came back to table very dissatisfied. My

beautiful calms yet a little my mood by the air of interest that he
gave my fake indisposition, and I did not fail to assure him that
for some time I had been agitated by violent
my health. Persuaded as she is, she is the one who causes them
Did she not have to consciously work to calm them? But, although
devout, she is not very charitable, she refuses all alms love,
and this refusal is, it seems to me, sufficient to authorize theft. But
goodbye, for, while talking with you, I think only of those accursed
letters.
LETTER XLIII
Why seek, sir, to diminish my gratitude? Why

do not want to obey me half and haggle somehow a
honest process? It is not enough for you then that I feel the price?
Not only do you ask a lot, but you ask for things
impossible. If, indeed, my friends told me about you, they did not
could only do so for interest to me; even if they were wrong,
their intention was no less good, and you propose me to
recognize this brand of attachment from them, giving you
their secret! I was wrong to tell you about it and you do it to me
feel enough right now. Which would have been nothing but candor with all
another becomes a foolishness with you, and would lead me to a darkness
if I yielded to your request. I appeal to you, to your
honesty, did you believe me capable of this process? did you have to tell me
to propose? No, no doubt, and I'm sure that by thinking about it better,
you will not come back on this request.
The one you make me write to me is hardly easier to

grant, and if you want to be fair, it's not me that you
you will take some. I do not want to offend you, but with the
reputation that you have acquired and that, by your own admission,
you deserve at least partly, what woman could confess to being in
correspondence with you? and what an honest woman can be determined to
do what she feels she would have to hide?
Again, if I were sure that your letters were such that I

would never have to complain about it, that I could always justify myself to
my eyes have received them! maybe then the desire to prove to you
that it is the reason and not the hatred that guides me, would make me
on top of these powerful considerations, and do a lot more than I
should not allow you to write to me sometimes. If indeed you
desire as much as you tell me, you will gladly submit
only on the condition that I can agree to it, and if you have
some recognition of what I'm doing for you right now, you
do not delay leaving.
Let me observe on this subject that you have received a letter

this morning, and you did not take the opportunity to announce your departure
to Madame de Rosemonde, as you promised me. I hope now
nothing can stop you from keeping your word. I count especially
that you will not wait, for that, the interview that you ask me,
which I absolutely do not want to lend myself to, and that instead of order
that you claim to be necessary, you will content yourself with the
pray that I renew you. Goodbye, sir.

[Illustration: PL. IV
_Godefroy inv. and sc._
LETTER XLIV]
LETTER XLIV
Share my joy, my beautiful friend: I am loved, I triumphed of this heart

rebel. It is in vain that he still hides, my happy address
surprised his secret. Thanks to my active care, I know everything that
I am interested: since the night, the happy night of yesterday, I find myself in
my element, I took up all my life, I unveiled a double
mystery of love and iniquity, I will enjoy one, I will avenge
the other, I will fly pleasure into pleasure. The only idea I
make me transport me to the point that I have some trouble to remember my
caution, that I may have to put order in the story
that I have to do to you. Let's try though.
Yesterday, after writing to you my letter, I received one from the

Heavenly devotee. I send it to you, you will see that it gives me,
the least clumsily she can, permission to write to him,
but she pressed my departure and I felt that I could not
to defer too long without harming me.
Tormented however of the desire to know who could have written against
I was still uncertain of the party I would take. I tried to
win the maid and I wanted to get her to deliver me the
pockets of his mistress, which she could seize easily in the evening
and that it was easy for him to return in the morning, without giving the least
suspicion. I offered ten louis for this light service, but I did not find
that a beguile, scrupulous or timid, that my eloquence and my money
could not vanquish. I was still preaching it when supper rang. he
had to leave her, too happy that she wanted to promise me
secret, on which even you judge that I hardly counted.
I never had a mood anymore. I felt compromised and I

reproached, all evening, my imprudent step.
Withdrew home, not without anxiety, I spoke to my hunter, who, in

his status as a happy lover must have had some credit. I wanted, or
that he got this girl to do what I asked her, or
unless he made sure of his discretion; but he, who usually does not
doubt of nothing, seemed to doubt the success of this negotiation and made me
this subject a reflection that astonished me by its depth.
"Monsieur surely knows better than me," he says, "that to sleep with
girl is only to make him do what he likes; from there to him
do what we want, there is often a long way. "
The good sense of the maraud sometimes terrifies me [21].
[21] Piron, _Metromanie_.
"I answer all the less of this," he added, "that I take place
to believe that she has a lover and that I owe her only to the idleness of the
campaign. Also, without my zeal for the service of sir, I would have
only once. " (It's a real treasure this boy!) "As
secretly, he added, what will he do with him?
to promise, since it will not risk anything to deceive us? Talk to him again
would only teach him better that he is important, and therefore he
give more desire to make his court to his mistress. "
The more these reflections were correct, the more my embarrassment increased.
Fortunately the funny guy was talking, and as I needed
from him, I let him do it. While telling me his story with
this girl, he told me that as the room she occupies is
separated from that of his mistress only by a simple partition, which
could sound a suspicious sound, it was in his
that they gathered each night. Immediately I formed my plan, I
communicated it to us and we executed it successfully.
I waited two in the morning and then I went, as we

We had agreed, in the room of the appointment, carrying light
with me, and under the pretext of having sounded several times unnecessarily.
My confidant, who plays his roles perfectly, gave a little scene
surprise, despair and excuse, which I ended by sending him
warm me some water, which I pretended I needed, while
the scrupulous chambermaid was all the more shameful
who had wanted to increase my projects, had determined to a
The toilet that the season contained, but which she did not excuse.
As I felt that the more this girl would be humiliated, the more I
would easily dispose of it, I did not allow him to change either
of adornment, and after having ordered my valet to wait for me at home,
I sat next to her on the bed that was very messy, and I
began my conversation. I needed to keep the empire that the
circumstance was giving me to her; so I kept a cool
would have done honor to the continence of Scipio, and without taking the most
little freedom with her, which however its freshness and opportunity
seemed to give him the right to hope, I told him about business
as quietly as I could have done with a prosecutor.
My conditions were that I would faithfully keep the secret, provided that
the next day, at about the same time, she gave me her pockets
from his mistress. "Besides," I added, "I offered you ten louis
Yesterday, I promise you again today. I do not want to abuse
your situation". All was granted, as you can believe; then I
Withdrew and allowed the happy couple to make up for lost time.
I used mine to sleep, and when I woke up, wanting to have an excuse
for not answering the letter of my beautiful before having visited his
papers, which I could do only the next night, I decided
to go hunting, where I stayed most of the day.
On my return, I was received rather coldly. I have reason to believe that

was a little bit piqued by the lack of enthusiasm I took advantage of the
time that remained to me, especially after the softer letter that one
had written to me. I judge thus, on what Mme de Rosemonde having me
made some reproaches on this long absence, my beautiful took again
with a bit of bitterness: "Ah! do not blame Mr. de Valmont for
deliver to the only pleasure he can find here. "I complained of this
injustice, and I took the opportunity to make sure that I liked it so much with
these ladies that I sacrificed a very interesting letter that I had to
to write. I added that, unable to sleep for many
nights, I wanted to try if fatigue would make me, and my
glances explained enough the subject of my letter and the cause of my
insomnia. I took care to have the whole evening a melancholy sweetness,
which seemed to me to succeed quite well and under which I masked
the impatience where I was to see the hour arrive which was to deliver me
the secret that one persisted in hiding. Finally we separated and,
some time after, the faithful maid came to bring me the price
agreed to my discretion.
Once master of this treasure, I proceeded to the inventory with the

caution that you know me because it was important to hand over
everything in place. I first came across two letters from the husband, a mixture
indigestible details of lawsuits and tirades of conjugal love, that
I had the patience to read in full and where I did not find a word that
would report to me. I replaced them with humor, but she softened
by finding under my hand the pieces of the famous letter of Dijon,
carefully collected. Fortunately he took me fantasy of the
Browse. Judge of my joy by seeing there distinct traces
tears of my adorable devotee. I admit it, I gave in to a movement
young man and kissed this letter with a transport of which I do not
thought more likely. I continued the happy examination, I found
all my letters in a row and in order of dates, and this surprised me
more agreeable still was to find the first of all, that
that I thought I had been returned by an ungrateful, faithfully copied from
his hand, and an altered and trembling handwriting, which testified fairly
the gentle agitation of his heart during this occupation.
Until then I was all about love, soon it made way for the
fury. Who do you think who wants to lose me to this woman
that I love? What fury do you suppose nasty enough to weave a
like blackness? You know her: she is your friend, your relative,
it's Madame de Volanges. You can not imagine what fabric of horrors
the hellish shrew wrote to him on my account. She's the only one,
which disturbed the safety of this angelic woman; it is by his
advice, by his pernicious opinions that I am forced to go away,
it is to her that I am sacrificed. Ah! no doubt we must seduce
his daughter, but it's not enough, you have to lose it, and since
this damn woman puts her away from my blows, you have to hit her
in the object of his affections.
She wants me to come back to Paris! she forces me! either, I

Will return, but she will moan about my return. I'm sorry that Danceny
is the hero of this adventure, he has a fund of honor that we
interfere; however he is in love and I see him often, we will
maybe take advantage of it. I forget myself in my anger and I do not think
that I owe you the story of what happened today. Let's go back.
This morning, I reviewed my sensitive prude. I never found it so

pretty. It had to be this: the most beautiful moment of a woman, the only
where it can produce that drunkenness of the soul, of which we always speak
and that one experiences so rarely, is the one where, assured of his love, we
are not his favors, and this is precisely the case where I
found. Perhaps also the idea that I was going to be deprived of the pleasure of
to see it served to embellish it. Finally, when the mail arrived, I was told
delivered your letter of the 27th, and while I was reading it I was still
hesitating
to know if I would keep my word, but I met the eyes of
my dear, and it would have been impossible for me to refuse him anything.
So I announced my departure. A moment later, Mme de Rosemonde
left alone, but I was still four steps away from the fierce
no one, that rising with the air of fright: "Leave me,
leave me, sir, "she said to me," in the name of God, leave me. "
This fervent prayer, which revealed his emotion, could only
to animate me more. Already I was with her and I held her hands
which she had joined with a very touching expression; the
I began tender complaints, when an enemy demon brought Mme
Rosemonde. The shy devotee, who has indeed some reasons to
to fear, took the opportunity to withdraw.
Yet I offered her the hand she accepted, and auguring

good of this sweetness, which she had not had for a long time, everything
by repeating my complaints I tried to tighten his. She has
first wanted to remove it, but on a more vivid instance it was
delivered with rather good grace, although without answering neither to this
gesture,
nor to my speeches. Arrived at the door of his apartment I wanted
kiss that hand, before leaving it. The defense began with
frank, but a _mongez that I'm leaving_, pronounced very tenderly,
made it awkward and inadequate. Hardly was the kiss given,
that the hand has regained its strength to escape and that the beautiful is
entered his apartment, where was his maid. Here ends
my story.
As I presume you will be tomorrow at the Marshal's house ... where

surely I will not go find you, as I am sure
our first interview we will have more than one case to deal with, and
especially that of the small Volanges, which I do not lose sight of
decided to precede me by this letter, and any longer
that it is, I will not close it until it is sent to the post office,
because at the end where I am, everything can depend on an opportunity, and I
you leave to go and spy on him.
_P.-S. at eight o'clock in the evening._
Nothing new, not the smallest moment of freedom, the same care for
avoid it. However, as much sadness as decency allowed,
at least. Another event, which may not be indifferent,
it is that I am charged with an invitation from Mme. de Rosemonde to Mme.
Volanges, to spend some time at home in the country.
Farewell, my dear friend, to-morrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest.
LETTER XLV
M. de Valmont left this morning, Madame, you seemed to me so much to desire

this departure which I thought I ought to instruct you. Mme de Rosemonde
regrets his nephew, who must be
society is nice; she spent all morning talking to me about it
with the sensitivity you know about her, she never stopped
on his eulogy. I thought I owed him the complacency of listening to him without
to contradict her, especially since it must be confessed that she was right about
many points. I felt more than that I had to reproach myself
to be the cause of this separation, and I do not hope I can
to compensate her for the pleasure of which I have deprived her. You know that I
have
naturally little cheerfulness and the kind of life we ??are going to lead
here is not done to increase it.
If I did not act according to your opinion, I would be afraid to have

acted a little lightly, because I was really hurt by the pain of
my respectable friend, she touched me to the point that I would gladly
mixed my tears with hers.
We are now living in the hope that you will accept the invitation
that Mr. de Valmont must make you, from Mrs. de Rosemonde, of
to spend some time at home. I hope you do not doubt
pleasure that I will have to see you there, and in truth you owe us this
compensation. I will be glad to find this opportunity to do
a quicker acquaintance with Miss Volanges, and to be within reach
to convince you more and more of respectful feelings, etc.
LETTER XLVI
What has happened to you, my adorable Cecile? Who could have caused
in you a change so prompt and so cruel? What have become of your
oaths to never change? Yesterday again, you reiterate them with
so much fun! Who can today forget them? I have beautiful
to examine me, I can not find the cause in me, and it is horrible to me
to have to look for it in you. Ah! no doubt you are neither light nor
misleading, and even in this moment of despair, an outrageous suspicion
will not wither my soul. However, by what fatality are you
more the same? No, cruel, you are no longer! The tender Cecile, the
Cecile, whom I adore and whose oaths I have received, would not have avoided
my eyes, would not have thwarted the happy chance that placed me
with her; or if some reason that I can not conceive, had
forced to treat me with such rigor, she would not have at least
scorned to instruct me.
Ah! you do not know, you will never know, my Cecile, what you
made me suffer today, what I still suffer from
moment. Do you believe that I can live and not be loved anymore?
you? However, when I asked you for a word, a single word, for
dispel my fears, instead of answering you you pretended to
to fear being heard; and this obstacle, which did not exist then,
you have caused it to be born immediately by the place you have chosen
in the circle. When forced to leave you I asked you the time
to which I could see you tomorrow, you pretended to ignore it
and it was necessary that Madame de Volanges should instruct me. So this
moment always so desired that must bring me closer to you, tomorrow does not
will give birth in me that worry, and the pleasure of seeing you,
until then so dear to my heart, will be replaced by the fear of you
to be importunate.
Already, I feel it, this fear stops me and I dare not talk to you about my
love. This _I love you_, that I loved so much to repeat when I could
to hear it in my turn, that sweet word that was enough for my happiness,
offers me more, if you are changed, than the image of eternal despair.
I can not believe, however, that this talisman of love has lost all
its power and I try to use it again [22]. Yes, my Cecile,
_I like You_. Repeat with me this expression of my happiness.
Remember that you have accustomed me to hear it and that to deprive me of it is
condemning me a torment which, like my love, will end only with
my life.
[22] Those who have not had occasion to feel sometimes

the price of a word, an expression consecrated by love, does not
will find no meaning in this sentence.
LETTER XLVII
I will not see you again today, my beautiful friend, and here are my
reasons, that I beg you to receive with indulgence.
Instead of coming back yesterday directly, I stopped at the countess's

de ***, whose castle was almost on my road and to whom I
asked for dinner. I only arrived in Paris around seven o'clock and
I went down to the Opera, where I hoped you could be.
The opera finished, I was seeing my friends at home; I found

my old �milie surrounded by a large court, both women
that in men, to whom she gave the same evening to supper to P ... I do not
no sooner had I entered this circle than I was asked to supper by
acclamation. I was also a little fat and short figure
who whispered an invitation to me in French from Holland, and whom I
recognized for the true hero of the party. I accepted.
I learned on my way that the house we were going to was the price
agreed to Emily's kindness to this grotesque figure, and that
this supper was a real wedding feast. The little man does not
had no joy in the expectation of the happiness he was going to enjoy;
he seemed to me so satisfied, that he made me want to disturb him, which
I did indeed.
The only difficulty I had was to decide Emilie, that the

The wealth of the burgomaster made him a little scrupulous. She lent herself
however, after a few ways, to the project I gave to fill
wine this little beer barrel and put it out of action for
All night long.
The sublime idea that we had formed of a Dutch drinker we
made use of all known means. We succeeded so well that
dessert he no longer had the strength to hold his glass but the
Helpful Emilie and I would like to hear him better. Finally, he
fell under the table, in a drunkenness such that it must at least last
eight days. We then decided to send him back to Paris, and as
he had not kept his car, I had it loaded in mine, and
I stayed in his place. I then received the compliments of the assembly
who retired soon after, and left me master of the field of battle.
This cheerfulness, and perhaps my long retirement, made me find
Emilie so desirable that I promised her to stay with her until the
resurrection of the Dutchman.
This complacency on my part is the price of the one she comes

to have, to use a desk to write to my beautiful devotee to whom
I found it pleasant to send a letter written from the bed and almost
from the arms of a girl, interrupted even for an infidelity
complete, and in which I give him an exact account of my situation
and my driving. �milie, who read the epistle, laughed like crazy,
and I hope you will laugh too.
As my letter must be stamped with Paris, I send it to you; I

leave it open. You will want to read it, seal it and make it
post. Above all, do not use your stamp or
even of no lover's emblem, only one head. Goodbye, my beautiful friend.
_P.-S ._-- I'm reopening my letter, I've decided Emily to go to

Italians ... I will take advantage of this time to see you. I will be
at your home no later than six o'clock and, if you feel comfortable, we
Let's go together, at seven o'clock, to Madame Volanges's. He will be
decent that I do not differ the invitation I have to make him from the
Ms. de Rosemonde, moreover, I will be glad to see the little
Volanges.
Farewell, very beautiful lady. I want to have so much fun kissing you
that the knight may be jealous of it.
_De P ..., this 30th of August 17 ** ._
LETTER XLVIII
_Timbr�e de Paris._
It's after a stormy night and during which I did not close
the eye is after being constantly or in the hustle and bustle of a
devouring ardor, or in the complete annihilation of all
faculties of my soul, which I come to seek from you, madam, a
calm I need and yet I do not hope to enjoy again.
Indeed, the situation where I am writing to you makes me known
more than ever the irresistible power of love; I have trouble
keep enough empire over me to put some order in my
ideas, and already I foresee that I will not finish this letter without
to be obliged to interrupt him. What! can not I hope that you
will you share some of the trouble I'm having right now? I dare
believe, however, that if you knew him well you would not be
completely insensitive. Believe me, ma'am, the cold tranquility, the
sleep of the soul, image of death, do not lead to happiness,
active passions alone can lead to it, and despite the torments that
you make me feel, I believe I can assure you without fear that
in this moment, I am happier than you. In vain do you overwhelm me
your desperate rigors, they do not prevent me from abandoning myself
entirely to love, and to forget in delirium that it causes me the
despair to which you deliver me. That's how I want to take revenge on
the exile to which you condemn me. I never had so much pleasure in
you writing; I never felt in this occupation an emotion
so sweet and yet so lively. Everything seems to increase my transports;
the air I breathe is full of pleasure, the very table on which
I write to you, devoted for the first time to this use, becomes
for me the sacred altar of love; how much she will beautify herself to my
eyes! I will have traced on her the oath to love you always!
Forgive me, I beg you, for the disorder of my senses. I should
perhaps leave me less to transports that you do not share;
you have to leave for a moment to dispel a drunkenness that increases
at every moment and who becomes stronger than me.
I'm coming back to you, madam, and probably I always come back with the
same eagerness. However the feeling of happiness has fled far from me,
it has given way to that of cruel privations. What is it for me
to tell you about my feelings if I search in vain for the means of
to convince you? After so many reiterated efforts, trust and
force abandon me at once. If I still retrace the pleasures of
love is to feel more deeply the regret of being deprived of it. I
see me as resource only in your indulgence and I feel too much, in
this moment, how much I need it to hope for it. However,
never was my love more respectful, never less
to offend; it is such, I dare say, that the most severe virtue does not
should not fear it; but I'm afraid to talk to you
longer of the trouble I feel. Assured that the object that the
cause does not share it, we must not at least abuse his kindness,
and it would be doing that to use more time to trace you
this painful image. I take only that to beg you
to answer me, and never to doubt the truth of my feelings.
Written from Paris, dated from Paris, August 30, 17th.
LETTER XLIX
Without being either light or misleading, it is enough for me, sir, to be

enlightened on my conduct to feel the necessity of changing it; I do not have
promised the sacrifice to God, until I can offer him also
that of my feelings for you, that the religious state in which
you are making it even more criminal. I feel that this will make me
the trouble, and I will not even hide from you that since the day before yesterday
I
cried whenever I thought of you. But I hope God
will give me the grace to give me the strength to forget you,
as I ask him night and morning. I'm even waiting for your friendship
and your honesty, that you will not try to trouble me in
the good resolution that inspired me and in which I try to
to maintain me. As a result, I ask you to be complacent
not to write to me any more, especially since I warn you that I do not
would answer more and you would force me to warn mom of all that
is happening, which would deprive me completely of the pleasure of seeing you.
I will not lose any more for you all the attachment that we can
to have without harm; and it is with all my soul that I
wish you all kinds of happiness. I feel that you will not
more love me so much, and that maybe you'll soon love another
better than me. But it will be a penitence over the fault that I have
committed by giving you my heart, that I should give only to God and
to my husband, when I have one. I hope the divine mercy
will have pity on my weakness and will only give me pain
I can bear it.
Goodbye, sir; I can assure you that if I were allowed

to love someone, it would never be what you want. But
that's all I can tell you, and maybe it's even more than
I should not.
LETTER L
Is it so, sir, that you meet the conditions

which I consented to receive sometimes from your letters? And
Can I not have to complain about it when you do not talk to me about it?
of a feeling to which I would still be afraid to indulge, even if I
could it without hurting all my homework?
Besides, if I needed new reasons to keep this

salutary fear, it seems to me that I could find them in your
last letter. Indeed, in the very moment when you believe to do
the apology of love, what do you do instead, what show me
formidable storms? Who can want a happiness bought at the price of
reason and whose unsustainable pleasures are at least followed by
regret, when they are not remorse?
You, in whom the habit of this dangerous delirium must in

to diminish the effect, are you not obliged to agree, however, that
often becomes stronger than you, and are you not the first to
to complain of the involuntary trouble he is causing you? What a devastation
scary would not it do so on a new and sensitive heart, which
would add further to his empire by the greatness of the sacrifices he
would he have to do it?
You believe, sir, or you pretend to believe that love leads to

happiness, and I am so convinced that it would make me unhappy
I would never hear his name spoken. It seems to me that
to speak only alters the tranquility, and it is as much by taste as
by duty I beg you to want to keep quiet about this
point.
After all, this request must be easy for you to grant me

now. Back in Paris, you will find enough opportunities
to forget a feeling that may have been born only
the habit where you are to take care of similar objects, and its
the idleness of the countryside. Are not you in this
same place where you had seen me with so much indifference? Can you
to take a step without meeting an example of your ease to change?
and are not you surrounded by women who, all kinder than
me, have more rights to your homage? I do not have the vanity we
reproach my sex; I still have this false modesty that is not
only a refinement of pride; and it is in good faith that I
tell you that I know very little about how to please
I would have all that I would not believe them enough to fix you. You
ask not to take care of me anymore, so it is only to pray
to do today what you already did and what for sure
you would do it again in a short time, still I would ask you the
opposite.
This truth, which I do not lose sight of, would, on its own, be a
reason strong enough not to want to hear you. I have a thousand
still others: but without entering into this long discussion, I am
like to ask you, as I have already done, not to talk
of a feeling that I do not have to listen to and to which I still have
less answer.
_De ..., this 1st of September 17 ** ._
LETTER LI
In truth, viscount, you are unbearable. You treat me with

as light as if I were your mistress. do you know that
I will be angry and have an appalling mood at this moment?
How! you must see Danceny tomorrow morning; you know how much he
it is important that I speak to you before this interview, and without you
worry more, you let me wait for you all day
to go running I do not know where! You are cause that I arrived
_indecemment_ late at Madame Volanges' and all the old women
women found me marvelous. I had to make them
cajoleries all evening to appease them, because we must not anger
old women: they are the ones who make the reputation of young people.
Now it's one in the morning and, instead of going to bed, like
I'm dying for it, I have to write you a long letter, which
will redouble my sleep by the boredom it will cause me. You are well
glad that I do not have time to scold you more. do not go
not to believe that I forgive you: it is only that I am
hurry. Listen to me, I hurry.
As long as you are clever, you must have confidence tomorrow

of Danceny. The moment is favorable for the confidence: it is the one
misfortune. The little girl has been confessing; she said everything, like
a child, and since then she has been so tormented with fear of
damn it wants to break absolutely. She told me all her little ones
scruples with a vivacity that taught me enough how much his head
was up. She showed me her breaking letter, which is a real
capucinade. She babbled an hour with me without telling me a word that
have common sense. But she did not embarrass me, because
you feel that I could not risk opening myself to such a
bad head.
I saw, however, in the middle of all this chatter, that she does not like
not less his Danceny; I noticed even one of those resources that does not
never miss to love and whose little girl is pleasant enough
the dupe. Tormented by the desire to care for her lover and by the
afraid to damn herself by taking care of it, she imagined praying to God for
to make him forget, and as she renews this prayer with each
instant of the day, she finds a way to think about it constantly.
With someone more used than Danceny, this little event would be
perhaps more favorable than contrary; but the young man is so
celadon that if we do not help him, it will take him so long to
defeat the slightest obstacles he will not leave us the one
to carry out our project.
You are quite right; it's a shame, and I'm as angry as

that he is the hero of this adventure; but what do you want? this
what is done is done, and it is your fault. I asked to see his
[23] response; she made me pity. He makes him reasoning at a loss
breath to prove to him that an involuntary feeling can not
to be a crime: as if it did not cease to be involuntary, of the moment
let's stop fighting him! This idea is so simple that it came
even to the little girl. He complains of his misfortune in a way
pretty touching, but her pain is so soft and seems so strong and
sincere, that it seems impossible to me that a woman who finds the opportunity
to despair a man to this point, and with as little danger is
not tempted to do without fantasy. He finally explains to him that he
is not a monk, as the little one believed, and it is, without contradiction,
what he does best; because to do as long as to indulge in love
monastic, assuredly MM. the knights of Malta would not deserve
the preference.
[23] This letter did not end up.
Anyway, instead of wasting my time in reasoning that

would have compromised me, and perhaps without persuading, I approved the
breakthrough project, but I said he was more honest, in the same
case, to say his reasons than to write them; that it was also used
to make the letters and other trifles we could have
received, and thus appearing to enter the views of the little person,
I decided to give an appointment to Danceny. We have some
on-the-spot concerted means, and I decided to decide
the mother to go out without her daughter; it's tomorrow afternoon that will be
this
decisive moment. Danceny is already instructed, but, for God, if
you find the opportunity, so decide this beautiful shepherd to be less
languorous and teach him, since it is necessary to tell him everything, that the
true
way to overcome the scruples is to leave nothing to lose to those
who have them.
Besides, for this ridiculous scene not to be renewed, I did not
not want to raise some doubts in the mind of the little girl
on the discretion of the confessors, and I assure you that she pays to
present the fear that she made me by the one she has that hers
do not tell his mother everything. I hope that after I have caused
once again or two with her, she will not tell her
foolishness to the first comer [24].
Farewell, viscount; take Danceny and drive him. It would be

ashamed that we do not do what we want from two children.
If we find it more difficult than we thought at first,
let us think, to animate our zeal, that you are the daughter of Mme.
de Volanges, and I, that she must become Gercourt's wife. Farewell.
_De ... this 2 september 17 ** ._
[24] The reader has had to guess for a long time, by the manners of
Madame de Merteuil, how little did she respect religion. We
would have deleted all this paragraph, but it was believed that by showing
the effects should not be neglected to make known
causes.
LETTER LII
You forbid me, madame, to speak to you of my love, but where to find
the courage to obey you? Only busy with a feeling
that should be so sweet and that you make so cruel, languid
in exile where you condemned me, living only from privations and
regrets, plagued by torments all the more painful as they
remind me constantly of your indifference, will I still need
to lose the only consolation I have left, and can I have any more
to offer you sometimes a soul that you fill with trouble
and bitterness? Will you look away so as not to see the
crying you spread? Will you refuse until the homage of
sacrifices that you demand? Would not he be more worthy of you,
of your honest and sweet soul, to pity an unfortunate, who is not
that by you, that to still want to aggravate his sentences by a defense
at once unfair and rigorous?
You pretend to fear love, and you do not want to see that you
only cause the evils you reproach him for. Ah! no doubt, this
feeling is painful when the object which inspires it does not share it;
but where to find happiness, if a reciprocal love does not procure it?
The tender friendship, the sweet confidence and the only one that is without
reserve,
the softened sentences, the increased pleasures, the enchanting hope, the
delicious memories, where to find them elsewhere than in love? You
slander, you who, to enjoy all the goods he offers, do not
that you do not refuse, and I forget the pain I feel
to take care to defend it.
You also force me to defend myself, because while I devote

my life to worship you, you spend yours looking for wrongs:
already you suppose me light and misleading, and abusing me against
some errors, which I myself have confessed to you, you
confuse what I was then with what I am now.
Not content to have me tormented to live far from you, you
add a cruel joke on pleasures to which you know
how much you made me insensitive. You do not believe in my
promises, or my oaths: well! I still have a guarantor for you
offer that at least you will not suspect; it's you. I do not you
asks to question you in good faith; if you do not believe in
my love, if you doubt a moment of reigning alone on my soul, if
you are not sure of having fixed this heart, indeed until now too much
fickle, I consent to bear the trouble of this error; I will moan,
but do not call it; but if, on the contrary, we do justice
to both of you, you are forced to agree with yourself that you
have, that you will never have a rival, do not oblige me anymore, I
beg, fight chimeras, and leave me at least this
solace to see you no longer doubt a feeling that, indeed,
will not end, can only end with my life. Permit me, madam, for you
pray to respond positively to this article of my letter.
If I give up, however, this time of my life, which seems to harm me if

cruelly with you, it is not only that the reasons
were wanting to defend it.
What did I do, after all, that did not resist the whirlwind in
which I had been thrown? Entered the young and inexperienced world
past, so to speak, from hand to hand by a crowd of women who,
all, hasten to prevent by their ease a reflection that they
feel that they ought to be nice to them, was it for me to give
the example of a resistance that was not opposed to me, or did I have to
punish a moment of error, and that often had provoked, by a
constancy for sure useless and in which we would have seen only one
ridiculous? Eh! what other means than a quick break can justify
a shameful choice!
But, I can say, this intoxication of the senses, maybe even this delirium
vanity, did not pass to my heart. Born for love,
intrigue could distract him and was not enough to occupy him;
surrounded by seductive but despicable objects, none went so far as to
my soul: they offered me pleasures, I sought virtues, and
myself at last I thought myself inconstant, because I was delicate and
sensitive.
It was when I saw you that I enlightened myself: soon I recognized that
the charm of love was the qualities of the soul; they alone
could excite and justify it. I finally felt that
it was impossible for me not to love you and to love one
other than you.
That, madam, what is this heart to which you fear to deliver yourself
and on whose fate you have to pronounce: but whatever the
destiny that you reserve for him, you will not change anything to the feelings that
attach it to you: they are unalterable like the virtues which have them
gives birth.
_De ..., this 3rd of September 17 ** ._

LETTER LIII
I saw Danceny, but I only got half a confidence; he

stubbornly kept silent the name of the little Volanges, which he
spoke to me only as a very wise woman and even a little devout: to
that, he told me quite truthfully his adventure, and especially
the last event. I warmed him up as much as I could and got him
much joked about his delicacy and his scruples, but he seems
that he holds, and I can not answer for him: besides, I can
tell you more about it the day after tomorrow. I'll take him to Versailles
tomorrow, and
I will take care to scrutinize him during the journey.
The meeting that is scheduled to take place today also gives me some
hope; it could be that everything happened to our satisfaction,
and perhaps now we have nothing left but to extract the confession and
to collect the evidence. This job will be easier than
me, because the little person is more confident, or, what comes back to
even more talkative than his discreet love. However I will do my
possible.
Farewell, my dear friend, I am in a great hurry; I will not see you either
evening or tomorrow; if, on your side, you knew something,
write me a note for my return. I will surely come back to sleep
Paris.
_De ..., this 3rd of September 17 **, in the evening._
LETTER LIV
Oh! yes, it's good with Danceny that there is something to know! if
you said it, he boasted. I do not know anyone so stupid in love,
and I reproach myself more and more with the kindness we have for him.
Do you know that I thought I was compromised with him! and that
be a complete waste! Oh! I will avenge it, I promise.
When I arrived yesterday to take Madame de Volanges, she did not want to
to go out, she felt uncomfortable; it took all my eloquence
to decide it, and I saw the moment that Danceny would have arrived before
our departure, which would have been all the more awkward as Madame de Volanges
had told him the night before that she would not be at home. His daughter and
I was on the thorns. We finally went out, and the little girl
shook his hand so affectionately, saying goodbye to me that despite his
project of rupture, which she believed in good faith to
I inaugurated wonders of the evening.
I was not at the end of my worries. There was hardly a

half an hour that we were at Madame de ... that Madame de Volanges found herself
bad indeed, but seriously wrong, and, of course, she wanted
go home; I wanted it all the more because I was afraid,
if we surprised the young people, as there was everything to bet,
that my representations to the mother, to make her leave, do not
become suspicious. I decided to frighten him on his health, this
which fortunately is not difficult, and I held it for an hour and a half
without consenting to take her home, for fear that I would pretend
to have, dangerous movement of the car. We finally went home
than at the agreed time. Looks shameful that I noticed on arrival,
I admit that I hoped that at least my sorrows would not have been lost.
The desire I had to be educated made me stay with Mme.

Volanges, who went to bed at once, and after having supped with his
we left her very early, under the pretext that she
He needed rest, and we went to his daughter's apartment.
This one did on its side, all that I expected of it: scruples
vanished, new oaths to love always, etc., etc .; she has
finally performed with good grace, but the fool Danceny did not go from one
line the point where he was before. Oh! we can get confused with
this one: the repairs are not dangerous.
The girl assures however that he wanted more, but that she knew
to defend oneself. I'll bet she's boasting or excuses her;
I almost guaranteed it. Indeed, he took me fancy
to know what to do with the defense of which she was capable,
and I, a simple woman, from one subject to another, I raised her head at
point ... Finally, you can believe me, never was anyone more
likely to surprise the senses. She is really kind, this
dear little! She deserved another lover! She will have at least one
good friend, because I am sincerely attached to her. I promised him to
to train her, and I believe that I will keep her word. I often
saw the need to have a wife in my confidence, and I would like
better than another; but I can not do anything about it as long as it
will not be ... what it needs to be; that's one more reason
to blame Danceny.
Farewell, viscount; do not come home tomorrow, unless it's

morning. I yielded to the knight's authority for a small evening
House.
_De ..., this 4th of September 17 ** ._
LETTER LV
You were right, my dear Sophie; your prophecies do better than

your advice. Danceny, as you predicted, was stronger than the
confessor, only you, than myself; we're back exactly where
we were. Ah! I do not repent, and you, if you scold me, this
For want of knowing the pleasure of loving Danceny. It's yours
it is easy to say how to do it, nothing prevents you; but if
you had experienced how much the sorrow of someone we love makes us
wrong, how his joy becomes ours and how difficult it is to say
no when it is yes we mean, you would not be surprised
nothing: myself who felt it, very keenly felt, I do not understand
not yet. Do you think, for example, that I can see Danceny cry?
without crying myself? I assure you that I can not, and
when he is happy, I am happy like him. It will be nice to say;
what we say does not change what is, and I'm sure it's
like that.
I would like to see you in my place ... No, that's not what I want
say, because surely I would not give my place to anyone, but I
would like you to love someone too; it would not only be
so that you can hear me better and laugh at me less, but
is that you would be happier too or, to put it better, you
then only begin to become so.
Our amusements, our laughter, all that, do you see, these are just games
children; nothing remains after they are gone. But love,
ah! love! ... a word, a look, only to know it there, well!
It's happiness. When I see Danceny, I do not desire anything; when
I do not see him, I only want him. I do not know how that is
made; but it seems as if everything I like is like him. When
he is not with me, I think of it; and when I can think of it all at
done, without distraction, when I'm alone, for example, I
am still happy; I close my eyes and, right away, I believe the
see; I remember his speeches and I think I hear him; that makes me
sigh; and then I feel a fire, an agitation ... I can not hold
in place. It's like a torment, and this torment is a pleasure
inexpressible.
I even think that once we have love, it spreads

on friendship. The one I have for you, however, has not changed; it is
always as in the convent: but what I tell you, I feel it with Mrs.
of Merteuil. It seems to me that I like him more like Danceny than like
you, and sometimes I would like her to be him. This may be
that it's not a child's friendship like ours, or else
what I see them so often together, which makes me wrong.
Finally, what is true is that they both make me good
happy; and, after all, I do not think there is much wrong with this
I'm doing. So I would only ask to stay as I am; and he
It's only the idea of ??my marriage that makes me feel pain, because if Mr.
de Gercourt is as I have been told, and I do not doubt it, I do not know
not what I will become. Good-bye, my Sophie; I still love you
tenderly.
LVI LETTER
What would you use, sir, the answer you ask me?
Believe in your feelings, would not that be another reason for
to fear? and without attacking or defending their sincerity, is it not enough for
me
should not it be enough for you to know that I do not want to
nor should I answer them?
Suppose you really love me (and it's only for
more to return to this object that I consent to this assumption), the
Are the obstacles that separate us from them less insurmountable? and
would I have anything else to do but wish you could soon
overcome this love and especially to help you with all my power, in me
hurrying to take away all hope? You yourself agree that _ce
feeling is painful when the object which inspires it does not share it.
Now you know enough that I can not share it; and when
even this misfortune would happen to me, I would be more to be pitied, without
you would be happier. I hope you value me enough for
no doubt for a moment. So stop, I implore you, stop
to wish to disturb a heart to whom tranquility is so necessary; do not me
do not force yourself to regret having known you.
Darling and esteemed by a husband I love and respect, my homework and my

pleasures gather in the same object. I'm happy, I have to
being. If there are more lively pleasures, I do not desire them; I
do not want to know them. Is it sweeter than being at peace
with oneself, to have only serene days, to fall asleep without
trouble and wake up without remorse? What you call happiness
is only a tumult of the senses, a storm of passions whose spectacle
is scary even from the shore. Eh! how to face these
storms? how to dare to embark on a sea covered with debris from
thousand and a thousand shipwrecks? And with who? No, sir, I stay on the ground;
I cherish the links that bind me to it. I could break them that I do not
I would not like it; if I did not, I would hasten to take them.
Why do you stick to my steps? why do you persist in following me?

Your letters, which must have been rare, follow one another quickly.
They must be wise, and you only talk to me about your foolishness
love. You surround me with your idea more than you did
your person. In one form, you reproduce under a
other. The things you are asked to say no more, you repeat
only in another way. You like to embarrass me by
captious reasoning; you escape mine. I do not want anymore
to answer you, I will not answer you anymore ... As you treat them
women you have seduced! With what contempt you speak of it! I want
to believe that some deserve it, but are all so
despicable? Ah! no doubt, since they have betrayed their duties to
to indulge in a criminal love. From that moment, they lost everything,
to the esteem of the one to whom they sacrificed everything. This torture
is right, but the idea alone makes him shudder. What does it matter to me, after
all?
Why should I take care of them or you? What right do you come
disturb my tranquility? Leave me, see me no more; do not write to me
more, I beg you; I demand it This letter is the last one
you will receive from me.
LETTER LVII

I found your letter yesterday when I arrived. Your anger has me all
indeed, happy. You would not feel more strongly the wrongs of
Danceny, when he had them with you. That is sure
out of revenge that you accustom his mistress to make him small
infidelities; you are a very bad subject! Yes, you are charming,
and I am not surprised that you are less resistant than at Danceny.
At last I know it by heart, this beautiful hero of romance! he has no more

secrets for me. I told him so much that honest love was good
supreme, that a feeling was better than ten intrigues, that I was
myself, in that moment, amorous and timid; he finally found me a
way of thinking so consistent with his that in the enchantment where
he was of my candor, he told me everything and swore a friendship without
Reserve. We are hardly more advanced for our project.
First, it seemed to me that her system was a damsel

much more care than a woman, as having more to lose.
He especially finds that nothing can justify a man to put a
girl in the necessity of marrying her or living dishonored, when the
The girl is infinitely richer than the man, as in the case where
find. The safety of the mother, the candor of the girl, all the intimidated
and stop him. The embarrassment would not be to fight his reasoning,
whatever they are. With a little skill and helped by the
passion, they would soon be destroyed; especially as they lend to
ridiculous and that one would have for oneself the authority of the use. But
that prevents it from being taken over, it is because it is
happy as he is. Indeed, if the first loves appear, in
general, more honest, and, as they say, more pure; if they are, at
less, slower in their walk, it is not, as we think,
delicacy or shyness: it is that the heart, astonished by a feeling
unknown, stops, so to speak, at every step to enjoy the charm
that he feels and that this charm is so powerful for a new heart that he
occupies him to the point of making him forget all other pleasure. This is so
true that a libertine lover, if a libertine can be, becomes
this very moment less in a hurry to enjoy; and that finally, between driving
of Danceny with the little Volanges and mine with the prude Mme de
Tourvel, there is only the difference of the more at least.
It would have taken, to warm our young man, more obstacles

that he did not meet any; especially since he had a need for more than
mystery, because mystery leads to audacity. I'm not far from
to believe that you have harmed us by serving him so well; your driving would have
It was excellent with an old man, who had only had desires; but
you could have predicted that for a young, honest and loving man,
the greatest prize of favors is to be the proof of love; and
that, therefore, the more he would be sure of being loved, the less he would be
enterprising. What to do now? I do not know; but I do not hope
not that the girl is taken before the wedding, and we will be for
our fees; I am sorry, but I do not see a cure.
While I am here, you are doing better with your knight.

It makes me think that you promised me an infidelity in my favor,
I have your promise in writing and I do not want to make it a ticket
of the Ch�tre_. I agree that the deadline has not arrived yet,
but it would be generous to you not to wait for it; on my side, I
you will take into account the interests. What do you say, my beautiful friend?
Are not you tired of your constancy? This knight
So is it wonderful? Oh! let me do it, I want to force you
to agree that if you have found some merit, it is that you
I had forgotten
Farewell, my dear friend, I embrace you as I wish you; I challenge

all the knight's kisses to have so much ardor.
LETTER LVIII
Where have I deserved, Madam, and the reproaches you make me

and the anger you show me? The strongest attachment and
yet the most respectful, the most complete submission to your
lesser wishes; that's in two words the story of my feelings
and my driving. Overwhelmed by the sorrows of an unhappy love, I
had no other consolation than that of seeing you; you ordered me
To deprive myself of it, I obeyed without allowing myself a murmur. For price of
this
sacrifice you allowed me to write to you, and today you want
to take away this unique pleasure. Will I let it go away without trying to
to defend it? No, no doubt; eh! how would not it be dear to my
heart? This is the only one left to me and I want it from you.
My letters, you say, are too frequent! So think, I you

pray that for ten days my exile has lasted
moment without taking care of you and that, however, you have not received
only two letters from me. _I do not speak to you about my love! _ Eh!
what can I say, what do I think? All I could do was
been to weaken the expression and you can believe me, I do not
you let me see only what I could not hide.
You finally threaten to stop answering me. So the man who is you
prefers everything and who respects you even more than he loves you,
not content to treat it with rigor, you want to join the
contempt! And why these threats and this wrath? What do you need?
Are you not sure of being obeyed, even in your unjust orders?
Is it possible to thwart any of your desires and do I have
not already proven? But will you abuse this empire that you have on
me? After making me unhappy, after becoming unfair, you
will it be so easy to enjoy this tranquility that you
make sure you are so necessary? Will not you ever say to yourself, "He told me
left mistress of her fate and I made her misfortune; he begged
my help and looked at it without mercy. "Do you know how far
to go my despair? No.
To calm my troubles, it would be necessary to know how much I love you, and
you do not know my heart.
What are you sacrificing me for? Has chimerical fears. And who do you
inspired? A man who adores you; a man you will never stop
never to have an absolute empire. What do you fear? What can you
fear of a feeling that you will always be mistress of directing
at your discretion? But your imagination is created monsters and fear
they cause you to attribute it to love. A little confidence and
these ghosts will disappear.
A wise man said that to dispel his fears it was almost enough
always to deepen the cause [25]. It's especially in love
that this truth finds its application. Love, and your fears
will vanish. Instead of the objects that scare you you will find
a delicious feeling, a tender and submissive lover, and all your days,
marked by happiness, will leave you with no other regret than
to have lost some in indifference. Myself, since,
income from my mistakes, I only exist for love, I regret
a time that I thought I had spent in pleasure, and I feel that
it's up to you alone to make me happy. But I
beg you, that the pleasure I find in writing to you is not
more troubled by the fear of displeasing you. I do not want you
disobey, but I'm at your knees, I claim the happiness you
want to rob me, the only one you left me; I cry to you: listen
my prayers and see my tears. Ah! madame, will you refuse me?
[25] It is believed that it is Rousseau in _Emile_, but the quote

is not correct and the application Valmont makes is good
false, and then Madame de Tourvel had she read _Emile_?
LETTER LIX
Teach me, if you know, what Danceny's drivel means.

What happened and what did he lose? His beautiful
perhaps angry at his eternal respect? We must be fair, we must
would be angry unless. What will I tell him tonight at the rendezvous that he
request and that I gave him at random? Surely I will not lose
not my time listening to his grievances if this should lead us to
nothing. The laments are good to hear only in
recitative obligatory or in great ariettes. So tell me what
is and what I have to do, or I deserted to avoid boredom
that I'm planning. Will I be able to chat with you this morning? If you are
_occup�e_, at least write me a word and give me the advertisements of
my role.
Where were you yesterday? I can not see you anymore. In truth,
it was not worth retaining me in Paris in September.
Decide, however, because I have just received a strong invitation
the countess of B to go and see her in the country; and
as she tells me rather pleasantly, "her husband has the most beautiful wood
of the world, which he keeps carefully for the pleasures of his friends ".
But you know that I have some rights over this wood, and I will go
see him again if I do not help you. Farewell, remember that Danceny will be
at home over the four hours.

LETTER LX
_The Chevalier DANCENY at Viscount VALMONT._
(Included in the previous one.)
Ah! sir, I am desperate, I have lost everything. I dare not entrust to the
paper the secret of my sorrows, but I need to spread them in
the breast of a faithful and reliable friend. At what time can I see you
and seek consolation and guidance from you?
I was so happy the day I opened my soul! Now, what
difference! everything is changed for me. What I suffer for my account
is still only the least part of my torment; my concern
on a much more expensive object, that's what I can not bear. More
happy that me, you will be able to see it, and I wait for your friendship
that you will not refuse me this step; but I need you
speak, let me teach you. You will pity me, you will help me; I
have hope only in you. You are sensitive, you know love
and you are the only one to whom I can confide; do not refuse me your
help.
Goodbye, sir; the only relief I feel in my pain is

to think that I still have a friend like you. Let me know, I
at what time will I be able to find you? If it is not
In the morning, I would like it to be early in the afternoon.
LETTER LXI
My dear Sophie, please your Cecile, your poor Cecile: she is well
unhappy! Mom knows everything. I do not understand how she was able to
to doubt something, and yet she has discovered everything. Yesterday at
evening, my mother seemed to be in a good mood, but I did not do it
great attention and even, until its part was over, I
chatted very cheerfully with Madame de Merteuil, who had supped here, and
we talked a lot about Danceny. I do not think we have
could hear us. She went away and I retired to my apartment.
I undressed when my mother came in and brought my maid out;

She asked me for the key of my secretary. The tone she made me
this request caused me a tremor so much that I could barely
to support me. I pretended not to find her, but finally he
had to obey. The first drawer she opened was precisely the one where
were the letters of the Chevalier Danceny. I was so upset that,
when she asked me what it was, I did not know how to answer her any other
thing, except that it was nothing; but when I saw her start to read
the one that presented itself first, I only had time to win
an armchair and I found myself so bad that I lost consciousness.
As soon as I came to my mother, who had called my wife
room, withdrew, telling me to go to bed. She won all
the letters of Danceny. I shudder every time I think he
will have to reappear in front of her. I only cried all night.
I write to you at daybreak, in the hope that Josephine will come. If I

can speak to her alone, I will ask her to return to Madame de Merteuil
a little note that I am going to write to him; otherwise, I'll put it in your
letter and you will send it as you do. Only from her
that I may receive some consolation. At least we will talk about
him, because I do not hope to see him anymore. I am very unhappy! She'll have
perhaps the goodness to take care of a letter for Danceny. I dare
not to confide in Josephine for this object, let alone my wife
of room, because it is perhaps she who will have told my mother that I had
letters in my secretary.
I will not write to you any longer, because I want to have the
time to write to Mrs. de Merteuil and also to Danceny, to have my
ready letter, if she will take care of it. After that, I
I'll go back to bed so that I'll be in bed when we get into my
bedroom. I will say that I am sick, to dispense with passing
mum. I will not lie a lot; surely I suffer more than if
I had a fever. The eyes burn me with crying, and I
a weight on the stomach that prevents me from breathing. When I think that
I will not see Danceny anymore, I want to be dead. Goodbye, my dear
Sophie. I can not tell you more, tears suffocate me.
_Nota ._-- We removed the letter of C�cile Volanges to the

Marquise, because it contained only the same facts of the
previous letter and with less details. That to the knight
Danceny did not find herself; we will see the reason in the
Letter LXIII, from Madame de Merteuil to Vicomte.
LETTER LXII
_Madame VOLANGES to the Knight DANCENY._
After abusing, sir, the confidence of a mother and

the innocence of a child, you will not be surprised, no doubt, to
not to be received in a house where you have not answered the evidence
of the most sincere friendship, only by the forgetfulness of all the processes. I
prefer to ask you not to come to my house, to give orders to
my door, which would compromise us all equally by the remarks
that the valets would not fail to do. I have the right to hope that
you will not force me to resort to this means. I warn you too
that if you make any attempt in the future to maintain my
girl in misguidance where you dive her, an austere retreat
and eternal will take it away from your pursuits. It's for you to see,
sir, if you will fear as little to cause his misfortune as you
have little fear of attempting his dishonor. As for me, my choice is
done and I instructed him.
You will find attached the package of your letters. I count that
you will send me back all those of my daughter, and that you
you will leave no trace of an event of which we do not
could keep the memory, me without indignation, she without shame, and
you without remorse. I have the honor to be, etc.
_De ... this 7th of September 17 ** ._
LETTER LXIII
Really yes, I'll explain Danceny's note. event

who wrote it to him is my work, and it is, I believe, my
masterpiece. I have not lost my time since your last letter,
and I said as the Athenian architect, "What he said I will do."
So he needs obstacles to this beautiful novel hero, and he falls asleep

in happiness! Oh! that he is referring to me, I will give him
the work, and I am mistaken, or his sleep will be no longer tranquil.
He had to teach him the price of time, and I flatter myself that
present he regrets the one he lost. You had to, you say too,
that he needed more mystery; well! this need does not
will miss more. I have this good, me is that I must do
to perceive of my faults: I do not take rest that I have not everything
repaired. Learn what I did.
When I got home the day before yesterday morning, I read your letter; I
found bright. Convinced that you had very clearly indicated the cause
I struggled to find a way to heal him. I
began to go to bed, for the indefatigable knight
had not let me sleep for a moment and I thought I was sleepy, but
point at all: whole at Danceny, the desire to pull him from his
indolence or punishing him did not allow me to close my eyes, and
was only after having agreed well my plan that I could find two
hours of rest.
I went the same evening to Madame de Volanges and, according to my project, I

told him that I thought he was sure he was between his daughter
and Danceny a dangerous connection. This woman, so far-sighted against
you, was blinded to the point that she first answered me that for sure
I was wrong; that his daughter was a child, etc., etc. I could not
not tell him everything I knew, but I quoted looks,
about which my virtue and my friendship were alarmed. I finally spoke
almost as well as a devotee could have done and, to strike the
decisive blow, I went so far as to say that I thought I had seen
Receive a letter. "It reminds me," I added, "that one day she
opened in front of me a drawer of his secretary, in which I saw
a lot of papers, which no doubt she keeps. Do you know him
some frequent correspondence? "Here the figure of Madame de Volanges
changed and I saw a few tears rolling in his eyes. "I you
thank you, my worthy friend, "she said to me, shaking my hand," I am
�claircirai. "
After this conversation, too short to be suspicious, I

approached the young person. I left her soon after to
ask the mother not to compromise me with regard to her daughter; this
that she promised me all the more willingly, that I made her observe
how happy he would be if this child had enough confidence
in me to open my heart, and put myself in the habit of giving it
My wise advice. Which assures me that she will keep my promise,
it is that I do not doubt that it does not want to be done honor of its
penetration with his daughter. I was thereby allowed
to keep my tone of friendship with the girl, without appearing false to
Madame de Volanges's eyes, which I wanted to avoid. I won again
to be, as a result, as long and as secretly as I
would like with the young person, without the mother ever taking
shading.
I took advantage of it the very same evening and, after my finished part, I
the little girl in a corner and put her on Danceny's chapter, on which
she never dries up. I had fun to put his head on the pleasure
that she would have to see him the next day; it's kind of madness that I
did not make him say. It was necessary to return to him in hope what I
in reality, and then all of this had to make him more
sensitive, and I am convinced that the more she has suffered, the more she
will be in a hurry to make up for it at the first opportunity. It is good,
besides, to accustom to great events someone destined
great adventures.
After all, can not she pay a few tears the pleasure
to have his Danceny? She loves it. Well! I promise her
the aura, and even more than she would have had without this storm. It's a
a bad dream whose awakening will be delicious, and, all in all,
seems to owe me gratitude; by the way, when I get there
put a little mischief, we must have fun:
The fools are here below for our little pleasures [26].
[26] Gresset, _The M�chant_, comedy.
I finally withdrew, very happy with myself. Or Danceny, I thought,

animated by obstacles, will redouble love, and then I will serve him
with all my power, or if it is only a fool, as I am tempted
sometimes to believe him, he will be desperate and will stand for a beat;
but in this case, at least I will have avenged him as much as he
was in me, along the way I would have increased for me the esteem of the
mother, daughter's friendship and the trust of both. As for
Gercourt, first object of my care, I would be very unhappy or
well clumsy though, mistress of his wife's mind as I am
and will be even more so, I did not find a thousand ways to make
what I want him to be. I lay down in these sweet ideas; as well
I slept well and woke up very late.
When I woke up, I found two tickets, one from the mother and one from the
girl, and I could not help laughing finding in both
literally this same sentence: _It's only you that I'm waiting
some consolation. Is not it pleasant, indeed, to console
for and against, and to be the sole agent of two interests directly
otherwise? Here I am like Divinity, receiving the vows of
blind mortals and not changing anything to my immutable decrees. I have
yet left this august role to take that of consoling angel,
and I have been, following the precept, to visit my friends in their affliction.
I started with the mother, I found her of a sadness that already

you revenge partly for the annoyances she made you feel
from your beautiful prude. Everything has succeeded wonderfully; my
the only concern was that Mme de Volanges would take advantage of this moment
to win the trust of his daughter, which would have been easy in
using only the language of gentleness and friendship, and
giving the advice of reason the air and the tone of tenderness
indulgent. Fortunately, she was armed with severity, she finally
so badly led that I only had to applaud. It is true that she has
thought to break all our plans by the party she had taken to do
to take his daughter back to the convent, but I parried it and I hired it
only to threaten it, in the event that Danceny continues his
prosecutions, in order to force both of them to a circumspection that I
believe necessary for success.
Then I went to the girl's house. You can not believe how much
pain beautifies him! As long as it takes coquetry, I will
guaranteed that she will cry often; for this time she was crying without
malice ... Struck by this new approval that I did not know him
and that I was glad to observe, I gave him at first only
of these left consolations which increase the penalties they
do not relieve them; and by this means I brought him to the point of being
truly suffocated. She was not crying anymore and I was afraid for a moment
convulsions. I advised her to go to bed, which she accepted;
I served her as a maid; she had not done a toilet,
and soon his scattered hair fell on his shoulders and on his throat
fully discovered; I kissed her, she let herself go in my
arm and his tears began to flow again without effort. God! what
was beautiful! Ah! if Magdeleine was so, she must have been much more
dangerous penitent than sinful.
When the beautiful desolate was in bed, I began to console her with good
faith. I reassured her first of all about the fear of the convent. I gave birth
in her the hope of seeing Danceny in secret, and sitting on the
reads: "If he were here," I said to him, then embroidering on this theme, I
led, from distraction to distraction, to forget about everything
what she was afflicted. We would have separated perfectly
satisfied with each other, if she had not wanted to
letter to Danceny, which I constantly refused. Here are the
reasons, which you will probably approve.
First, the one that was compromising me with respect to Danceny, and if
it was the only one I could use with the little one, there was
many others of you to me. Would not it risk the fruit
of my work, that to give so early to our young people a way if
easy to soften their sentences? And then, I would not be sorry for them
to oblige to mingle some servants in this adventure, because finally if
she is doing well, as I hope she will have to know
immediately after the wedding; and there are few more secure ways to
to spread it, or, if by a miracle they did not speak, we would speak,
us, and it will be more convenient to put indiscretion on their account.
So you have to give Danceny this idea today, and

as I am not sure of the maid of the little Volanges,
which she herself seems to be defying, tell her mine, my faithful
Victory. I will take care that the process succeeds. I like this idea
especially since the confidence will only be useful to us and not to
they, for I am not at the end of my story.
While I forbade myself to take charge of the little girl's letter, I

feared at any moment that she did not propose me to put her to the small
post, which I could hardly have refused. Fortunately, be trouble,
ignorance on his part or that he was less interested in the letter than in the
the answer, which she could not have had in this way, she did not tell me
point spoken; but, to prevent this idea from coming to him or at least
that she could not use it, I took my side on the spot, and
returning to the mother's house, I decided to move her daughter away for
time, to lead her to the countryside ... And where? The heart does not beat you
joy? At your aunt's, at old Rosemonde's. She must
prevent today; so here you are allowed to go find your
a devotee who will no longer have to object to the scandal of one-on-one
thanks to my care, Mme de Volanges will repair herself the wrong she
did you.
But listen to me and do not worry so much about your business that
you lose sight of it; think she interests me.
I want you to go to the correspondent and the council of

two young people. Learn this trip to Danceny and give it to him
your services. Do not find any difficulty to send between
hands of the beautiful your credential, and lift this obstacle
at once, pointing out the way of my maid. There is no
There is no doubt that he will not accept, and you will have the price of your
troubles
the confidence of a new heart, which is always interesting. The poor
small! how she will blush by handing you her first letter! the
true, this role of confidant, against which he has established prejudices,
seems to me a very nice recreation when one is busy elsewhere, and
this is the case where you will be.
It is your care that will depend the outcome of this plot.

Judge when it will be necessary to bring together the actors. The campaign offers
a thousand ways, and Danceny, for sure, will be ready to get to your
first signal. One night, a disguise, a window ... what do I know?
me? But finally, if the little girl comes back as she will be there
summer, I will take care of you. If you think she needs to
some encouragement from me, send it to me. I think I have him
given a pretty good lesson on the danger of keeping letters for
dare to write to him now, and I am always in the design of
to do my pupil.
I think I forgot to tell you that his suspicions about his

The betrayed correspondence had first been with his maid,
and that I have diverted them on the confessor. It's a stone
two shots.
Farewell, Viscount, I've been writing to you for a long time and my
dinner was delayed; but self-esteem and friendship dictated my
letter, and both are talkative. Besides, she will be at your home
three hours, and that's all you need.
Complain to me now, if you dare, and see you again, if

you are tempted, the wood of the Count of B ... You say he keeps it
for the pleasure of his friends! This man is the friend of everyone?
But goodbye, I'm hungry.
LETTER LXIV
_The Chevalier DANCENY to Madame de VOLANGES._
_Minute attached to the letter LXVI of the Viscount to the Marquise._
Without seeking, Madam, to justify my conduct and without complaining of

yours, I can only grieve about an event that is unfortunate
three people, all three worthy of a happier spell. More
still sensitive to the pain of being its cause than to being its
victim, I have often tried, since yesterday, to have the honor of you
answer without being able to find the strength. I have so many
things to tell you that you have to make an effort on myself, and if
this letter has little order and forth, you must feel enough how much
my situation is painful, to grant me some indulgence.
Allow me first to claim against the first sentence of your

letter. I did not abuse, I dare say, neither of your confidence nor of
the innocence of Mlle. de Volanges; I respected each other in
my actions. They alone depended on me, and when you
would make responsible for an involuntary feeling, I do not fear
to add that the one that inspired me your daughter is such that he can
to displease you, but not to offend you. On this object that touches me more
that I can not tell you, I only want you to judge and my letters
for witnesses.
You forbid me to introduce myself to you in the future, and no doubt I

will submit to whatever you please to order about it, but
this sudden and total absence will not give so much
taken to the remarks you want to avoid that order that by this
why, you did not want to give to your door? I will insist
all the more on this point that it is far more important for Miss de
Volanges only for me. I beg you to weigh carefully
all things and not to allow your severity to alter your
caution. Convinced that the only interest of miss your daughter
dictate your resolutions, I will wait for new orders from you.
However, in case you allow me to do my court

sometimes, I pledge, ma'am (and you can count on my
promise), not to abuse these opportunities to try to speak in
especially to Mlle de Volanges or to make him hold no letter. The
fear of what could jeopardize his reputation, commit myself to
sacrifice, and the happiness of seeing her sometimes will compensate me for it.
This article of my letter is also the only answer I can

to make sure that you tell me about the fate you intend to Miss de
Volanges, and you want to make me dependent on my behavior. It would be
to deceive you than to promise you more. A vile seducer can
to bend his projects to circumstances and calculate with events,
but the love that animates me only allows me two feelings: the courage
and constancy.
What! to consent to be forgotten by Mlle de Volanges, to forget her

myself? No, no, never. I will be faithful to him; she received the
oath and I renew it on this day. I'm sorry, madam, I'm going astray
must come back.
I still have another object to deal with: the one of the letters that
you are asking me. I am really sorry to add a refusal to the wrongs
that you already find me, but, I beg you, listen to my reasons
and deign to remember to appreciate that the only consolation to
woe to have lost your friendship, is the hope of keeping your
valued.
The letters of Mlle. De Volanges, always so precious to me, tell me

become much more in this moment. They are the only good that me
remain, they alone still trace me a feeling that makes the whole
charm of my life. However, you can believe me, I would not swing
not a moment to make the sacrifice, and the regret of being
would give way to the desire to prove to you my respectful deference,
but powerful considerations hold me back and I make sure that
you can not blame them yourself.
You have, it is true, the secret of Mlle de Volanges, but

let me say, I am allowed to believe that this is the effect
surprise and not trust. I do not pretend to blame a
perhaps the approach that maternal solicitude allows. I respect
your rights, but they do not go so far as to dispense with my duties.
The most sacred of all is to never betray the trust that
we grant. It would be missing to expose to the eyes of another
the secrets of a heart that only wanted to reveal them to mine. Yes
Mademoiselle your daughter consents to confide to them, that she speaks; his
letters are useless. If she wants, on the contrary, to enclose her
secret in itself, you probably do not wait for me
instruct you.
As for the mystery in which you want this event to remain

buried, be quiet, madam, on all that interests Miss de
Volanges, I can challenge the very heart of a mother. To complete you
to remove all anxiety, I have foreseen everything. This precious deposit which bore
so far for subscription: _Papiers � br�ler_, now bears:
_Paper belonging to Miss Volanges_. This party that I take
must also prove to you that my refusals do not relate to fear
that you find in these letters, a single feeling that you have
personally to complain.
This, madame, is a very long letter. She would not be

enough if it left you with any doubt about the honesty of my
feelings, sincere regret for having displeased you and for the deepest
respect with which I have the honor to be, etc.
LETTER LXV
(Sent open to the Marquise de Merteuil in letter LXVI of

Viscount.)
O my Cecilia, what are we going to become? What God will save us from
misfortunes that threaten us? That love gives us at least courage
to support them! How to paint you my astonishment, my despair
at the sight of my letters, reading Madame de Volanges's note?
Who could betray us? Who are you suspicious of? Would you have committed
some imprudence? What are you doing now? What have you been told? I
would like to know everything and I do not know everything. Perhaps you are not
yourself
no more educated than me.
I send you your mom's note and the copy of my answer.

I hope you approve of what I say to him. I really need that
you also approve the steps I have taken since that fatal
event, they all aim to hear from you, from you
give mine and, what do we know? maybe to see you again and
more freely than ever.
Do you conceive, my Cecile, what a pleasure to be together,

to be able to swear to us again an eternal love and see in our
eyes, to feel in our souls that this oath will not be deceiving?
What pains would such a sweet moment not forget? Well!
I have the hope to see it born and I owe it to these same steps
I beg you to approve. What did I say? I owe it to the care
consolers to the most tender friend, and my only request is that
you allowed that friend to be yours.
Maybe I should not trust you without your confession?

But my excuse is misfortune and necessity. It's love that
drove me; it is he who claims your indulgence, who asks you
to forgive a necessary confidence and without which we remained
perhaps forever separated [27]. You know the friend I am
spoken; he is the one of the woman you love best: this is the
Viscount of Valmont.
[27] Mr. Danceny does not accuse himself. He had already made
confidence to M. de Valmont before this event. See the
letter LVII.
My project, in addressing myself to him, was first to beg him to engage

Madame de Merteuil to take care of a letter for you. He did not believe that
this means could succeed; but in default of the mistress, he answers the
maid who has her obligations. It will be she who will deliver
this letter and you can give him your answer.
This help will be of little use to you if, as M. de Valmont believes,

you leave shortly for the campaign. But then it is himself
who wants to serve us. The woman you go to is her relative. he
take advantage of this pretext to go there at the same time as you,
and it will be through him that our mutual correspondence will pass. He rocks
even if, if you want to let yourself be led, he will give us the
ways to see us without risk of compromising yourself in any way.
Now, my Cecile, if you love me, if you pity my misfortune,

if, as I hope, you share my regrets, will you refuse
your trust in a man who will be our tutelary angel? Without him,
I would be reduced to despair at not being able to even soften sorrows
that I am causing you. They will finish, I hope, but, my dear friend,
promise me not to give you too much, not to leave you
tear down. The idea of ??your pain is an unbearable torment. I
give my life to make you happy! You know it well. may
the certainty of being worshiped to bring some comfort to your soul!
Mine needs you to assure me that you forgive the love the
evils that it makes you suffer.
Farewell, my Cecile; Goodbye, my dear friend.
LETTER LXVI
You will see, my beautiful friend, reading the two letters attached,
if I have completed your project. Although both are dated
today, they were written yesterday, at home and under my eyes:
the one with the little girl said everything we wanted. We can only
humble yourself before the depth of your views, judging by the
success of your efforts. Danceny is all hot; and surely, at the
first opportunity, you will not have any more reproaches to make him. If his
beautiful ingenuous wants to be docile, everything will be finished soon after
his arrival in the country; I have a hundred means ready. Thanks to your
care, here I am, decidedly, Danceny's friend; he misses
more than being _Prince_ [28].
[28] Expression relating to a passage from a poem by M. de Voltaire.
He is still very young, this Danceny! Would you believe that I have never
could he get him to promise the mother to give up her love? As
if it was embarrassing to promise when we decided not to hold!
"It would be deceiving," he repeated to me incessantly: "Is not this scruple
not edifying, especially when trying to seduce the girl? These are the ones
men! all equally villains in their projects, what they put
of weakness in execution they call it probity.
It's your business to prevent Madame de Volanges from frightening herself

little escapades which our young man has allowed himself in his letter;
preserve us from the convent; also try to abandon the demand
letters from the little girl. First he will not return them, he does not want
not, and I am of his opinion; here, love and reason agree.
I read these letters, I devoured boredom. They can
become useful. Let me explain.
In spite of the prudence which we will put there, it can happen a brightness;
he would miss the wedding, is not it true, and fail all
our projects Gercourt? But as for me, I also have to
to avenge the mother, I reserve in this case to dishonor the girl. In
choosing well in this correspondence, and producing only one
part, the little Volanges would seem to have made all the first
steps and absolutely thrown in the head. Some of
letters could even compromise the mother and would
less of unforgivable negligence. I feel that the scrupulous
Danceny would revolt first; but as he would be personally
attacked, I think we would get over it. There is a thousand to bet
against one that luck will not turn so; but everything needs
provide.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; you would be very kind to come to supper tomorrow
at the Mar�chale de ...: I could not refuse.
I guess I do not need to recommend the secret,
vis-�-vis Madame de Volanges, on my campaign project; she would have
soon to stay in the city: instead of having arrived, she
will not leave the next day; and if she gives us only eight
days, I answer for everything.
LETTER LXVII
I did not want to answer you anymore, sir, and maybe the embarrassment that
I feel at this moment is it itself a proof that indeed I do not
should not. However, I do not want to leave you any complaint
against me; I want to convince you that I did everything for you
I could do.
I allowed you to write to me, do you say? I agree with that; but when
you remind me of that permission, do you think I forget to what
conditions it was given to you? If I had been as faithful as
you have been little, would you have received a single answer from me? here
yet the third; and when you do whatever it takes to
oblige me to break this correspondence, it is I who take care of
ways to maintain it. He is one, but he is the only one; and if you
refuse to take it, it will be, whatever you may say, prove to me
enough how much you put a price on it.
So leave a language that I can not and do not want to hear; renounce
to a feeling that offends and scares me, and to which, perhaps, you
should be less attached to thinking that it is the obstacle that
separate. Is this feeling the only one you can know
and will love have this more wrong, in my eyes, to exclude friendship?
You yourself would have the one not to want for your friend that
in whom did you desire more tender feelings? I do not want the
believe: this humiliating idea would revolt me, move me away from you
without return.
By offering you my friendship, sir, I give you all that is

me, everything I can have. What can you desire more?
To give myself to this feeling so sweet, so well done for my heart, I
only wait for your confession; and the word, which I demand from you, that this
friendship will suffice for your happiness. I will forget all that has been said to
me;
I will rely on you to justify my choice.
You see my frankness, she must prove to you my confidence; he ... not
only to increase it further, but I warn you that the
the first word of love destroys her forever and makes me all my fears;
that, above all, it will become for me the signal of an eternal silence
vis-�-vis you.
If, as you say, you have come back from your mistakes,
Would not you rather be the object of the friendship of an honest woman?
that of the remorse of a guilty woman? Goodbye, sir; you
feel that after speaking so I can not say anything that you do not
replied to me
LETTER LXVIII
How to answer, madam, to your last letter? How to dare to be

true when my sincerity can ruin me? He does not matter
need; I will have the courage. I say to myself, I repeat to myself that it is
better
you deserve that you get; and should you still refuse me a
happiness that I will always want, you have to prove at least that
my heart is worthy of it.
What a pity that, as you say, I am _revenu_ of my errors_!

with what transports of joy I would have read this same letter to which
I'm trembling to answer today! You speak to me there with _franchise_,
you show me the _confiance_, you finally offer me your
_amiti�_: what good, madam, and what regrets of not being able to
enjoy! Why am I no longer the same?
If I were indeed; if I had only an ordinary taste for you,

that this light taste, child of seduction and pleasure, that today
yet we call love, I would hasten to take advantage of everything
that I could get. Few tricky on the means, provided they me
procured success, I would encourage your franchise with the need
to guess you; I would like your confidence in the design of the
to betray; I would accept your friendship in the hope of misleading it ... What!
madame, this picture frightens you? Well! however, it would be traced
in my opinion, if I told you that I consent to being only your friend ...
Who me! I would agree to share with someone a feeling emanated

of your soul? If I ever tell you, do not believe me anymore. From this
moment, I will try to deceive you; I may wish you again,
but, for sure, I will not love you anymore.
It's not just kindness, sweet confidence, sensitivity

friendship is priceless to me ... But love! the true love
and what you inspire in bringing all these feelings together, in their
giving more energy, could not lend itself, like them, to this
tranquility, to this coldness of the soul that allows comparisons,
who even suffers from preferences. No, ma'am, I will not be your
friend; I will love you with the most tender and even the most ardent love,
though the most respectful. You can despair, but no
annihilate.
What right do you claim to have a heart that you refuse

the tribute? By what refinement of cruelty do you send me to
happiness to love you? This one is mine, he is independent of you;
I will know how to defend it. If he is the source of my troubles, so too
the cure.
No, again, no. Persist in your cruel refusals; but
leave me my love. You like to make me unhappy! eh
good, be it; try to tire my courage, I will force you to
less to decide my fate; and maybe, some day, you tell me
give more justice. It's not that I hope to make you
never sensitive: but, without being persuaded, you will be convinced, you
you will say, "I had badly judged him."
Let's say better, it is to you that you do injustice. To know you

without loving you, loving you without being constant, are both
also impossible; and despite the modesty that adorns you, he must
it's easier to complain than to be surprised
feelings that you are born. For me, whose only merit
is to have known how to appreciate you, I do not want to lose it; and far from
consent to your insidious offers, I renew at your feet the
oath to always love you.
_De ..., this 10 september 17 ** ._
LETTER LXIX
_Cecile VOLANGES to the Chevalier DANCENY._
_Billet written in pencil and copied by Danceny._
You ask me what I do: I love you and I cry. My mother does not
speak to me more; she took away paper, feathers, and ink; I am using a
pencil which, fortunately, has remained to me, and I write to you on a piece
of your letter. I must approve everything you have
made; I love you too much for not taking all the means to have
of your news and give you mine. I did not like Mr.
de Valmont, and I did not believe him so much your friend, I will try to
to accustom myself to him and I will love him because of you. I do not know
who betrayed us; it can only be my maid or my
confessor. I am very unhappy. We leave tomorrow for the
campaign; I do not know for how long. My God! do not see you anymore!
I have no place. Farewell; try to read me. These words traced to
pencil may fade, but never the feelings engraved in
my heart.
LETTER LXX
I have an important opinion to give you, my dear friend. I had dinner yesterday,
as you know, at the Mar�chale de ***; we talked about you, and I
say not all the good that I think, but all that I do not
Do not think. Everyone seemed to be of my opinion and the conversation
languished, as it always happens when one speaks only of the good of
his neighbor, when an opponent arose: it was Prevan.
"God forbid," he said, getting up, "that I doubt the wisdom

Madame de Merteuil! But I would dare to believe that she owes it more to her
lightness only to its principles. It may be more difficult to
to follow that to please him; and as we do not miss running after
a woman to meet others on her way, like, at all
take, these others can be worth as much and more than she; each
are distracted by a new taste, the others stop weariness;
and it is perhaps the woman of Paris who has had the least to defend herself.
For me, he added (encouraged by the smile of some women),
I will not believe in Madame de Merteuil's virtue until after having punctured six
horses to make him my court. "
This bad joke succeeds like all those who hold

to gossip; and during the laughter she excited, Pr�van resumed his
place, and the general conversation changed. But the two countesses
of B ***, with whom was our incredulous, made with him their
particular conversation, that fortunately I was within reach
heard.
The challenge of making you sensitive has been accepted; the word to tell
everything
been given and all those who would give themselves in this adventure,
it would surely be the most religiously guarded. But you are well
warned and you know the proverb.
It remains for me to say that this Pr�van, which you do not know,
is infinitely lovable and even more adroit. What if sometimes you
have heard me say the opposite, only that I do not like it,
that I like to thwart his success, and that I am not unaware of what
weight is my vote with about thirty of our most
the fashion.
Indeed, I have prevented him for a long time, by this means, from appearing on this
which we call the great theater; and he was doing wonders without
to have more reputation. But the brilliance of his triple adventure, in
staring at him, gave him that confidence he lacked
until then and made it really formidable. It is finally today the
only man, perhaps, whom I fear to meet on my way;
and your interest apart, you will render me a real service to give it
some ridiculous way. I leave it in good hands, and I
the hope that when I return, it will be a drowned man.
I promise you on the other hand to carry out the adventure of your
pupil, and to take care of her as much as of my beautiful prudishness.
This one has just sent me a project of capitulation. All his letter
announces the desire to be deceived. It is impossible to offer a way
more convenient and also more used. She wants me to be his friend. But
me who loves new and difficult methods, I do not pretend
to leave it so cheaply, and certainly I will not have taken
so much trouble with her to end with an ordinary seduction.
My project, on the contrary, is that it feels, that it feels

value and extent of each of the sacrifices she will make to me; not
not driving her so fast that remorse can not follow her; to do
to expire his virtue in a slow agony; to fix it constantly on this
sorry show, and not to grant him the happiness of having me in
her arms only after forcing her to no longer hide the desire. the
In fact, I am worth very little if I am not worth asking.
And may I take revenge less than a haughty woman, who seems to blush
to confess that she adores?
So I refused the precious friendship and held to my title

lover. As I do not conceal this title, which does not appear
first of all, that a dispute of words is of real importance
to get, I put a lot of care in my letter, and I tried to
to spread this disorder which alone can paint the feeling. I have finally
unreasoned as much as it was possible for me, because without
no tenderness; and that is, I believe, for that reason that women
we are so superior in love letters.
I finished mine with a cajolery, and it's still a continuation of my

deep observations. After a woman's heart has been exercised
some time he needs rest; and I noticed that a cajolerie
was, for all, the softest pillow to offer them.
Goodbye, my beautiful friend. I leave tomorrow. If you have orders to me

to give for the Countess of ***, I will stop at her house at least
for dinner. I am sorry to leave without seeing you. Let me go
your sublime instructions, and help me with your wise counsel in this
decisive moment.
Above all, defend Prevan, and may I one day compensate you
of this sacrifice! Farewell.
[Illustration: PL. V
_C. Monnet inv._
_NOT. The Mire sc._
LETTER LXXI]
LETTER LXXI
Did not my stunned hunter leave my wallet in Paris!

The letters of my beautiful, those of Danceny for the little Volanges,
everything has remained, and I need everything. He will leave to repair his
foolishness; and while he is saddling his horse, I will tell you my
story of this night because I beg you to believe that I do not lose
my time.
Adventure, by itself, is very little; it is only

warmed up with the viscountess of M ... But she interested me by the
details. I'm glad to show you that if I have the
talent of losing women, I have no less, when I want, the one
to save them. The hardest or most cheerful party is always
the one I take, and I do not blame myself for a good deed, provided
whether she exercises or amuses me.
So I found the Viscountess here, and as she joined her

authorities to the persecutions that were made me to spend the night at
Castle: "Well! I consent, I tell him, provided that I
will pass with you. "-" It is impossible for me, she replied, Vressac
is here. "Until then, I had only thought to tell him an honesty, but
this word of impossible revolts me as usual. I felt humiliated
to be sacrificed to Vressac, and I resolved not to suffer him:
I insisted.
Circumstances were not favorable to me. This Vressac had the

awkwardness to give shade to the Viscount, so that the Viscountess
can not receive him at home, and this trip to the good countess
had been arranged between them, to try to steal a few nights.
The Viscount had even first shown the mood to meet there
Vressac; but as he is still more hunter than jealous, he is not
not less, and the Countess, always as you know her,
after lodging the woman in the big corridor, put the husband of a
side and lover of each other and let them arrange themselves. The
bad destiny of both wanted me to be lodged vis-�-vis.
That same day, that is yesterday, Vressac, which, as you can

to believe, cajole the Viscount, hunted with him, in spite of his little taste
for the hunt, and expected to console himself at night between the arms of
the woman, from the boredom that the husband caused her all day; but I
I thought he would need rest, and I took care of the means of
decide his mistress to give him time to take some.
I succeeded and I obtained that she would make him a quarrel of this same
part of the hunt, to which, of course, he had only consented
for her. We could not take a worse pretext, but no
woman has better than the Viscountess this talent common to all, to put
mood instead of reason and never be so difficult to
to appease only when she is wrong. The moment, moreover, was not
convenient for explanations, and wanting only one night, I would agree
that they would mend the next day.
Vressac was therefore shunned on his return. He wanted to ask the cause,
we quarreled. He tried to justify himself; the husband who was present,
served as a pretext for breaking the conversation; he finally tried to
enjoy a moment when the husband was away to ask
to hear it well in the evening; it was then that the viscountess became sublime.
She was indignant at the audacity of the men who, because they
the kindness of a woman, believe that she has the right to abuse it even
while she has to complain about them; and having changed thesis by this
address, she spoke so well delicacy and feeling that Vressac remained
dumb and confused, and that I myself was tempted to believe that she had
reason, because you will know that, as a friend of both, I was in third
in this conversation.
Finally, she declared positively that she would not add the fatigues
from love to those of hunting, and that she would blame herself for
to disturb such sweet pleasures. The husband returned. The sorry Vressac, who
no longer had the freedom to answer, addressed me, and after having me
for a long time told his reasons, which I knew as well as he,
He begged me to speak to the Viscountess, and I promised him. I him
indeed spoke; but it was to thank her and agree with her
the time and means of our appointment.
She told me that, housed between her husband and her lover, she had
found it more prudent to go to Vressac than to receive him in his
apartment, and that, since I lodged with her, she believed
also safer to come to my house; that she would go there as soon as her
maid would have left her alone, that I had only to keep my
open door and wait for him.
Everything worked out as we had agreed, and she arrived at my house

around one in the morning.
... in the simple device

Of a beauty that has just been snatched from sleep [29].
[29] ROOT, Tragedy of _Britannicus_.
As I have no vanity, I do not stop at the details of the

night, but you know me, and I was pleased with myself.
At break of day, it was necessary to separate. This is where the interest

start. The dazed had thought to leave her door ajar, we
We found it closed, and the key remained within; you do not have
the idea of ??the expression of despair with which the Viscountess tells me
immediately: "Ah! I am lost! "It must be admitted that he was pleasant
to leave it in this situation; but could I suffer that a
woman lost for me, without being by me? And did I, as
the common man, let me be controlled by circumstances? he
We had to find a way. What would you have done, my beautiful friend?
Here is my driving, and she succeeded.
I soon recognized that the door in question could sink,

by allowing yourself to make a lot of noise. So I got the
Viscountess, not without difficulty, that she would shriek and
fright, like _A thief! To the murderer, etc., etc. And we agreed
that at the first cry I would sink the door and run to her bed.
You can not believe how long it took to decide it even
after she had consented. However, we had to finish there, and at
first kick, the door gave way.
The viscountess did well not to waste time, for at the same moment,
Viscount and Vressac were in the corridor, and the maid
He also ran to his mistress's room.
I was alone in self-control, and I took the opportunity to put out a

night light that still burned and spilled on the ground, because you judge
how ridiculous it would have been to pretend this panic terror by having
light in his room. I then quarreled with the husband and the lover
on their lethargic sleep, assuring them that the cries at which
I had come running, and my efforts to break the door had lasted
at least five minutes.
The Viscountess, who had recovered her courage in her bed, seconded me
pretty well and swore to his big gods that there was a thief in his
apartment; she protested with more sincerity than life she
had not been so scared. We were looking everywhere and we could not find
nothing, when I noticed the night light overturned and concluded that,
no doubt a rat had caused the injury and the fright; my opinion passed
all of a sudden, and after a few jokes about the
the viscount went first to his room and his bed,
begging his wife to have quieter rats in the future.
Vressac, left alone with us, approached the Viscountess for him
to say tenderly that it was a revenge of love; what is she
replied, looking at me, "So he was angry because he was
much avenged; but, "she added," I am tired, and I
want to sleep. "
I was in a moment of kindness; as a result, before we separate,

I pleaded the cause of Vressac and brought the reconciliation. Both
lovers kissed each other, and I was, in turn, embraced by all
two. I no longer cared about the Viscountess's kisses, but I admit
that that of Vressac pleased me. We went out together, and after
to have received his long thanks, we went each to give us
in bed.
If you find this story pleasant, I'm not asking you for it
secret. Now that I had fun, it's just that the audience
in turn. For the moment, I'm only talking about history, maybe
soon will we say so much about heroin?
Farewell, an hour ago that my hunter is waiting; I do not take the

moment of kissing and recommending you especially to keep yourself
from Pr�van.
_On the castle of ..., this 15 september 17 ** ._
LETTER LXXII
(_Remote only the 14._)
O my Cecile! I envy the fate of Valmont! Tomorrow he will see you.

He will give you this letter; and me, languishing far
from you, I will drag my painful existence between regrets and
misfortune. My friend, my dear friend, pity me for my ills; mostly
pity me for yours; it is against them that courage abandons me.
How frightful I am to cause your misfortune! Without me, you would be

happy and quiet. Do you forgive me? Say, ah! tell me you
forgive; tell me also that you love me, that you still love me.
I need you to repeat it to me. It's not that I doubt it,
but it seems to me that the more we are sure of it, the more gentle it is to
to hear him say. You love me, do not you? Yes, you love me from any
your soul. I do not forget that this is the last word that I want you
I heard pronounce. As I gathered in my heart! As
she is deeply engraved! And with what transports mine has
answered!
Alas! in this moment of happiness, I was far from predicting the fate
awful waiting for us. Let us take care, my Cecile, of means of
soften. If I believe my friend, it will suffice, to achieve this, that you
take in him a confidence that he deserves.
I was sorry, I admit, the disadvantageous idea that you seem
to have him. I recognized the preventions of your mother: it was
to submit to it that I had neglected, for some time, this
really kind man, who today does everything for me, who finally
is working to get together, when your mom has separated us. I'm telling you
Conjure, my dear friend, see him with a more favorable eye. Think he
is my friend, that he wants to be yours, that he can make me happy
to see you. If these reasons do not bring you back, my dear Cecile, you
do not love me as much as I love you, you do not love me as much as
you loved me. Ah! if you ever had to love me less ... But no,
the heart of my Cecile is mine, there is for life, and if I have
to fear the sorrows of an unhappy love, his constancy at least
will save the torments of a betrayed love.
Farewell, my charming friend; do not forget that I suffer and that he does not
it's up to you to make me happy, perfectly happy. Listen to the
vow of my heart and receive the tenderest kisses of love.
_Paris, this 11th of September 17 ** ._
LETTER LXXIII
_The Viscount of VALMONT in C�CILE VOLANGES._
(_Join the previous one._)
The friend who serves you knew that you did not have what you needed
to write, and there is already provided. You will find in the antechamber
of the apartment you occupy, under the large cabinet, hand
left, a supply of paper, feathers and ink, which he
will renew when you want and it seems to him that you can
leave it in this same place, if you can not find a safer one.
He asks you not to offend yourself, if he seems to be doing

no attention to you in the circle and just look at it
like a child. This conduct seems necessary to him to inspire
the security it needs and be able to work more efficiently
to the happiness of his friend and yours. He will try to give birth to
opportunities to talk to you when he has something to teach you
or to give you back, and he hopes to do it if you put a zeal to the
assist.
He also advises you to make him the letters that you

will have received, in order to risk less to compromise you.
He ends up making sure that if you want to give him your

trust, he will put all his care into easing the persecution that a
cruel mother makes two people experience, one of which is already
his best friend and the other seems to him to deserve the most tender interest.
_At the castle of ..., this 14 september 17 ** ._

LETTER LXXIV
Eh! since when, my friend, are you frightened so easily? This Prevan
So is it really formidable? But see how simple and modest I am!
I met him often, this superb winner; I had hardly
watched! It did not take less than your letter to get me there
Warning. I fixed my injustice yesterday. He was at the Opera, almost
vis-�-vis me, and I took care of it. It's pretty at least, but
very pretty; fine and delicate features! he must gain to be seen from
near. And you say he wants to have me! Surely he will do me honor
and pleasure. Seriously, I have fantasy, and I confide you here that
I made the first steps. I do not know if they will succeed.
That's the fact.
He was close to me, at the exit of the Opera, and I gave very
high appointment to the marchioness of ... for supper on Friday at the
Marshal. It is, I believe, the only house where I can meet him.
I do not doubt he heard me ... If the ungrateful person was not going to
come? But tell me, do you think he's coming? do you know that
if he does not come, will I be in the mood all evening? You see
that he will not find so much difficulty in following me; and what you
it will surprise even more, because he will find even less of it to please me.
He wants, he says, to kill six horses to make me his court! Oh! I will save
life to these horses. I will never have the patience to wait if
long time. You know it's not in my principles to do
languish when once I am decided, and I am for him.
Oh! here, agree that it is pleasure to speak to me reason? Your opinion

Does not important_ have a great success? But what do you want? I
has been languishing for so long! It's been over six weeks since I
I am not allowed a gaiety. This one presents itself: can I refuse it?
is not the subject worth it? is it more pleasant, in
any sense that you take this word?
You yourself are forced to do justice to it; you do more

than to praise him, you are jealous of it. Well! I establish myself judge between
you two; but first you have to learn, and that's what I want
make. I will be a judge of integrity and you will be weighed both in the
same scale. For you, I already have your memories, and your case is
perfectly educated. Is not it right that I'm busy now
your opponent? Come on, do you run with good grace and, for
begin, teach me, please, what is this triple adventure
of which he is the hero. You speak to me as if I did not know anything else
thing, and I do not know the first word. Apparently, she will have
spent during my trip to Geneva, and your jealousy will have prevented you
to write to me Repair this fault as soon as possible; think that
which interests him is foreign to me. It seems to me that we talked about it
still on my return, but I was busy with something else and I'm listening
rarely, in this way, all that is not of the day or the day before.
When what I ask you would upset you a little, is not it

lower price than you owe to the care I gave myself for you?
Did not they bring you closer to your president when your
foolishness had taken you away? Is not it still me who handed
in your hands, what will you avenge for Madame de Volanges's bitter zeal?
You've complained so often about the time you've lost to going
look for your adventures! Now you have them at hand. Love,
hatred, you only have to choose, all under the same roof; and
you can, doubling your existence, stroke one hand and hit
the other.
It is even to me that you owe the Viscountess's adventure.

I'm pretty happy with it, but as you say, we need to
spoken; because if the opportunity could commit you, as I conceive, to
prefer for the moment the mystery to the shine, it is necessary to agree
that this woman did not deserve such an honest process.
I have to complain about it. The knight of Belleroche finds it

prettier than I would like and, for a lot of reasons, I'll be
glad to have an excuse to break with her: but it is not
no more convenient than having to say: "We can not see this
woman. "
Farewell, viscount; remember that, where you are, time is precious:

I will use mine to take care of Pr�van's happiness.
LETTER LXXV
_Nota ._-- In this letter, C�cile Volanges reports with the

greater detail of all that is relative to it in the
events that the reader saw letters LXI and following. We
thought it necessary to suppress this repetition. She finally talks about
Viscount de Valmont and she says:
... I assure you that he is a very extraordinary man. Mom says

a lot of trouble, but the Chevalier Danceny says a lot of good, and
I think he's right. I have never seen a man so
skilful. When he gave me Danceny's letter, it was in the middle of
everyone, and no one has seen it; it is true that I had
well scared, because I was not warned of anything, but now I
I will wait for you there. I already understood very well how he wanted me
to give him my answer. It is easy to get along
with him, because he has a look that says everything he wants. I do not know
not how he does it; he told me in the note I told you about
that he would not seem to care about me in front of mom:
would always say that he does not think of it; and yet, whenever
I'm looking for his eyes, I'm sure to meet them right away.
There is a good friend of mom here, whom I did not know, who has
He does not seem to like M. de Valmont, although he has many
attentions for her. I'm afraid he will soon be bored of life
that we lead here and that he does not go back to Paris: that would be good
unfortunate. He must have a good heart to have come on purpose to render
service to his friend and me! I would like to testify to him
recognition, but I do not know how to talk to him, and when
I would find the opportunity, I would be so ashamed that I would not know
maybe tell him.
There is only Madame de Merteuil with whom I speak freely when I speak
of my love. Maybe even with you, to whom I say everything, if it was
by talking, I would be embarrassed. With Danceny himself, I often
felt, like in spite of myself, a certain fear that prevented me from him
to say everything I thought. I reproach myself right now and I
would give everyone to find the moment to tell him once,
only once, how much I love him. M. de Valmont promised him that if I
let me drive, it would afford us the opportunity to see each other again.
I'll do whatever he wants, but I can not imagine that
this is possible.
Farewell, my dear friend, I have no room left.
_Of the castle of ..., this 14 september 17 ** ._
[30] Miss Volanges having, shortly after, changed her

confidentially, as will be seen later in these letters,
will not find in this collection any of those she has
continued to write to her friend of the convent; they would not learn
nothing to the reader.
LETTER LXXVI
Or your letter is a smear that I did not understand, or you

were, writing it to me, in a very dangerous delirium. If I you
knew less, my beautiful friend, I would be really frightened, and,
whatever you may say, I will not be too easily frightened.
I can read and re-read you, I am no more advanced; because,

to take your letter in the natural sense that it presents, there is
no way. What did you mean?
Is it only that it was useless to give so much care against

an enemy so little formidable? But, in this case, you might have
wrong. Prevan is really kind, he is more than you
believe; he especially has the talent very useful to occupy a lot of his
love by the address he has to speak about it in the circle and in front of
everything
the world, using the first conversation he finds. he
few women escape from the trap of responding to it, because
that all having pretensions to finesse, none wants to lose
the opportunity to show. But you know enough that a woman who consents
to talk about love soon ends up taking some or, at least by
to drive as if she had some. He still wins at this method, which he
has actually perfected, often calling women themselves
testimony of their defeat, and that I speak to you for having seen it.
I was in the secret of the second hand, because I never

been linked with Pr�van, but finally we were six, and the countess of
P ..., while thinking herself very fine and indeed looking, for everything
which was uneducated, to hold a general conversation, we
told in great detail and how she had gone
at Pr�van, and everything that had happened between them. She was doing this
story with such security that she was not even troubled by a
smile, which took us all six at the same time, and I will remember
always one of us who wanted, to apologize, to pretend to doubt
from what she said, or rather from what she seemed to say,
she answered gravely that surely we were not so good
educated she, and she did not even fear to speak to Pr�van
to ask her if she was mistaken for a word.
So I could believe this man dangerous for everyone; but for

you, marquise, was it not enough that he were pretty, very pretty, as
you say it yourself, that it makes you one of those attacks that you
you sometimes like to reward, for no other reason than
find it well done, or that you found yourself pleasant to yourself
for some reason, or ... what do I know? can I guess
the thousand and one whims that govern the head of a woman, and
by whom alone are you still attached to your sex? Now that you
are warned of the danger, I do not doubt that you will be saved
easily, but yet you had to warn you. So I come back to
my text: what did you mean?
If it is only a pretriquet on Pr�van, besides it is very long, this

was not to me that he was useful: it is in the world
that it must be given some ridiculous, and I renew my
pray about it.
Ah! I think I keep the word of the riddle! Your letter is a prophecy,
not what you will do, but what he will believe you will do at
moment of the fall you are preparing for it. I pretty much approve of this project;
it requires, however, great care. You know like me that for
the public effect, having a man or receiving his care is absolutely the
same thing, unless this man is a fool, and Pr�van is not
not, very much. If he can win only one appearance, he
brag, and all will be said. The fools will believe it, the wicked will have
seem to believe in it; what will your resources be? Look, I'm scared. This
is not that I doubt your address, but these are the good swimmers
who drown.
I do not believe myself more stupid than another; ways to dishonor a

woman, I found one hundred, I found a thousand, but when I got
busy looking how she could save herself, I've never
given the possibility. Yourself, my beautiful friend, whose conduct is a
masterpiece, a hundred times I thought I saw you more happiness than good
play.
But after all, maybe I'm looking for a reason for something that does not have one.
I admire how, for an hour, I have been seriously treating what is
for sure, only a joke on your part. You will make fun
of me! Well! is; but hurry up, and let's talk about something else.
Something else! I'm wrong, it's always the same; always
women to have or lose, and often both.
I have here, as you have noticed very well, what to practice in

the two kinds, but not with the same facility. I predict that the
revenge will go faster than love. The small Volanges is returned,
I answer them; it only depends on the occasion, and I take care of
to make her born. But it is not the same with Mme de Tourvel: this
woman is distressing, I do not understand it; I have a hundred proofs of his
love, but I have a thousand of its resistance, and, in truth, I fear
that she do not escape me.
The first effect of my return made me hope

more. You guess I wanted to judge for myself, and for
make sure I see the first movements, I did not go before
per person, and I had calculated my route to arrive while
would be at the table. Indeed, I fell from the clouds, like a deity
opera that comes to make a denouement.
Having made enough noise on entering to fix eyes on me,

I could see at the same glance the joy of my old aunt, the spite
Madame de Volanges and her daughter's disconcerted pleasure. My beautiful,
by the place she occupied, turned her back to the door. occupied
in that moment to cut something, she did not just turn the
head, but I spoke to Madame de Rosemonde, and at the first word,
the sensitive devotee having recognized my voice, he escaped a cry, in
which I thought I recognized more love than surprise and fear.
I was then advanced enough to see his face; the tumult of his
soul, the struggle of his ideas and feelings, painted himself with
twenty different ways. I sat down next to her; she does not
knew exactly what she was doing and what she was saying.
She tried to eat, there was no way; finally, less
a quarter of an hour later, his embarrassment and his pleasure becoming more
strong she, she imagined nothing better than to ask permission
to leave the table, and she escaped to the park, under the pretext
to need to get some fresh air Madame de Volanges wished to accompany him;
the tender prudish did not allow it, too happy no doubt to find
a pretext for her alone and to indulge the gentle
emotion of his heart.
I abstained from dinner as much as I could. Hardly had we

served the dessert as the infernal Volanges, apparently pressed for
need to hurt me, got up from his place to go find the charming
sick; but I had planned this project, and I crossed it. I feigned
so to take this particular movement for the general movement
and, having risen at the same time, the little Volanges and the priest of the place
let themselves be carried away by this double example, so that Madame de
Rosemonde was alone at the table with the old commander of T ..., and
both also decided to leave it. So we went all
to rejoin my beautiful, whom we found in the grove near the castle,
and as she needed loneliness and not walk, she loved
as much to come back with us as to make us stay with her.
As soon as I was assured that Mme de Volanges would not have the opportunity to
to speak to him alone, I thought of executing your orders, and I took care
interests of your ward. Immediately after the coffee, I went upstairs
me and I also went to the others to recognize the terrain; I
made my arrangements to ensure the correspondence of the small and,
after this first blessing, I wrote a note to instruct him, and he
ask for his trust; I added my note to Danceny's letter. I
back to the living room. I found my beautiful girl sitting on a deck chair and
in a delicious abandonment.
This show, awakening my desires, animated my eyes; I felt

that they must be tender and urgent, and I placed myself so
to be able to make use of it. Their first effect was to bring down
large, modest eyes of the celestial prude. I considered for some time
this angelic figure, then, going through all his person, I amused myself
to guess the outlines and shapes through a light garment,
but still importunate. After going down from head to toe, I
went up from head to toe ... My beautiful friend, the sweet look was
fixed on me; at once he stooped down again; but, wanting
to encourage the return, I turned away my eyes. Then settles between
us this tacit convention, the first treatise of timid love, which,
to satisfy the mutual need to see each other, allows the eyes to
to succeed while waiting for them to merge.
Convinced that this new pleasure occupied my whole beauty, I

charged to watch over our common safety; but after making sure
that a lively conversation saved us from the remarks of the circle,
I tried to obtain from his eyes that they spoke frankly about their
language. For that I surprised at first some looks, but with so much
reserve that modesty could not be alarmed, and to put the
shy person no longer at ease I seemed embarrassed myself too
what. Gradually our eyes, accustomed to meet, fixed themselves
Longer; finally they did not leave each other, I saw in the
this sweet languor, a happy signal of love and desire, but
it was only a moment and soon returned to herself, she changed,
not without some shame, its maintenance and its look.
Not wanting that she could doubt that I had noticed her various
movements, I arose with vivacity, asking him, with the air
fright, if it was wrong. Immediately everyone came
surround. I let them all pass me, and like the little girl
Volanges, who worked at the tapestry near a window,
need some time to leave his job, I take this moment
to give him Danceny's letter.
I was a little away from her, I threw the epistle on her lap. She
did not really know what to do with it. You would have laughed too much of his air
of
surprise and embarrassment; yet I did not laugh because I feared
that so much awkwardness does not betray us. But a look and a gesture
strongly pronounced, finally made him understand that it was necessary to
the package in his pocket.
The rest of the day was not interesting. What happened

since then will bring events that you will be happy
less for your pupil; but it is better to use
his time executing his projects than telling them. Here is the
eighth page that I write and I am tired of it; so, goodbye.
You can well imagine, without my telling you, that the little girl
answered Danceny [31]. I also had an answer from my beautiful, to whom
I wrote the day after my arrival. I send you both
letters. You will read them or you will not read them, because this perpetual
rabachage, which already does not amuses me too much, must be very tasteless, for
any selfless person.
Once again, goodbye. I still love you very much; but I will
Please, if you tell me about Pr�van, make sure that I
hear.
_Of the castle of ..., this 17 september 17 ** ._

LETTER LXXVII
Where can you come, madame, from the cruel care you take to escape me?
How can it be that the most tender eagerness on my part,
obtain from yours only procedures that one would barely allow
to the man of whom one would have the most to complain? What! love me
bring back to your feet, and when a happy chance places me next to you,
you prefer to feign an indisposition, to alarm your friends, than to
to consent to stay near me! How many times yesterday did not you
diverted your eyes to deprive me of favor with a glance? and if a
only moment I could see less severity, this moment was so short
it seems that you wanted to make me less enjoy, what to do to me
to feel what I lost in being deprived of it.
This is, I dare say, neither the treatment that the love deserves,
nor that which friendship can afford, and yet of these two
feelings, you know if one animates me, and I was, it seems to me,
allowed to believe that you do not refuse each other. This friendship
valuable, of which, no doubt, you thought me worthy, since you have
if you would have offered it to me, what have I done to have lost it since?
will I be harmed by my confidence and will you punish me for my frankness? Born
Are you not afraid at least to abuse one another? Indeed,
Is it not in the bosom of my friend that I deposited the secret of
my heart? Is it not with regard to her alone that I have been able to believe
obliged to refuse conditions that I simply had to accept, for
give the facility to not hold them, and perhaps that of abusing them
usefully? Would you finally, by a rigor so little deserved, tell me
to force you to believe that it was only necessary to deceive you to obtain more
indulgence?
I do not repent of a conduct that I owed you, that I

owed to myself; but by what fatality every commendable action
does it become for me the signal of a new misfortune!
It is after giving rise to the only eulogy that you have still deigned
doing my driving, which I had, for the first time, to moan
the misfortune of having displeased you. It is after you have proved my
perfect submission, depriving me of the happiness of seeing you, only
to reassure your delicacy, that you wanted to break all
correspondence with me, taking away this feeble compensation for a sacrifice
that you had demanded, and delight me to the love that alone could
give you the right. It's finally after talking to you with a
sincerity that the very interest of this love could not weaken, that you
flee today as a dangerous seducer, which you would have
recognized perfidy.
Will you never tire of being unfair? Teach me at least

what new wrongs have brought you to such severity, and
do not refuse to dictate the orders you want me to follow; when
I pledge to execute them, is it too much to pretend that to ask them
know?

LETTER LXXVIII
You seem, sir, surprised at my conduct, and very little

that you do not ask me, as having the right to blame her.
I admit that I would have thought myself more authorized than you to surprise and
complain; but since the refusal contained in your last answer,
I decided to shut myself up in an indifference that leaves no
no more reason for remarks or reproaches. However, as you tell me
ask for clarification and that, thanks to Heaven, I do not feel anything
in me who can prevent me from giving them to you, I want to enter
once again in explanation with you.
Whoever reads your letters would think me unfair or bizarre. I think I deserve
that no one has this idea of ??me; it seems to me especially that you
were less than another in the case of taking it. No doubt, you
felt that by requiring my justification, you forced me to
remember everything that happened between us. Apparently you believed
only to gain from this examination: as, for my part, I do not believe
to lose, at least in your eyes, I am not afraid to indulge in it.
Perhaps this is the only way to know who of us
has the right to complain about the other.
To count, sir, from the day of your arrival in this castle, you
admit, I think, that at least your reputation allowed me to use
some reserve with you and that I could have, without fear of being
charged with excess prudery, stick to the expressions of the
the coldest politeness. You yourself would have treated me with indulgence
and you would have found it simple that a woman so little trained, had not
even the merit necessary to appreciate yours. It was surely there
the party of prudence, and it would have cost me all the less to follow
I will not hide from you that when Mme de Rosemonde came to inform me
of your arrival, I needed to remember my friendship for her and
the one she has for you, so as not to let her see how much this
new annoyed me.
I gladly agree that you first showed yourself

more favorable than I had imagined; but you will agree to your
turn that it lasted very little and that you soon got tired of a
constraint, which you apparently did not believe
compensated by the advantageous idea that she had made me take from you.
That's when, abusing my good faith, my security, you do not have

not afraid to talk about a feeling you could not
to doubt that I am offended, and I, while you do not
to aggravate your wrongs by multiplying them, I was looking for a
reason to forget them, by offering you the opportunity to repair them, at
less in part. My request was so good that you do not believe in yourself
to refuse you, but you make a right of my indulgence,
you took advantage of it to ask me for permission, which, no doubt,
I should not have granted and yet you got. of the
conditions that were put you have held none, and your
correspondence was such that each of your letters made me
a duty not to answer you anymore. It's in the very moment when
your obstinacy forced me to get away from me, that by a
condescending maybe blameworthy I tried the only way that could
allow me to bring you closer to it: but what is your price
honest feeling? You despise friendship, and in your mad drunkenness,
counting for nothing the misfortunes and the shame, you seek only
pleasures and victims.
As light in your steps as inconsistent in your reproaches, you

forget your promises, or rather you make a game of violating them
and after agreeing to get away from me, you come back here without
be reminded without regard for my prayers, for my reasons, without
have even the attention to warn me, you have not feared
exposing myself to a surprise whose effect, though certainly simple,
could have been interpreted unfavorably for me by the people
who surrounded us. This moment of embarrassment that you had born,
far from trying to distract or dispel it, you have appeared
put all your care to increase it again. At the table, choose
precisely your place next to mine: a slight indisposition
force me to get out before others and instead to respect my
loneliness, you engage everyone to trouble her. Return to
salon, if I take a step, I find you next to me; if I say a
say, it's always you who answer me. The most indifferent word
serves as a pretext to bring back a conversation I did not want
not hear, which could even compromise me; because finally, sir,
whatever address you put in there, which I understand, I believe that
others can understand it too.
So forced by you to immobility and silence, you do not continue

not less to pursue me; I can not look up without meeting
yours. I am constantly forced to look away, and by
a incomprehensible inconsistency, you fix on me those of the
circle, at a time when I would have wanted to be able to even steal
mine.
And you complain about my processes! and you wonder about my

eagerness to run away! Ah! blame me rather for my indulgence,
I'm surprised that I did not leave when you arrived.
I should have had it maybe and you will force me to this violent party, but
necessary, if you do not finally stop offensive prosecutions. No,
I do not forget, I will never forget what I owe myself, what I
have knots that I have formed, that I respect and that I cherish,
and I beg you to believe that if ever I were reduced to this
unfortunate choice, to sacrifice them or to sacrifice myself, I do not
would not swing a moment. Goodbye, sir.
LETTER LXXIX
I planned to go hunting this morning, but it's a long time

detestable. I have for reading only a new novel, which
would even annoy a boarder. We will have lunch at the earliest in two
hours; so despite my long letter yesterday, I will still cause
with you. I'm sure I'm not bored because I
speak of the pretty Pr�van. How did you not know his famous
adventure, that which separated the _ins�parables_? I bet you
you will remember it at the first word. Here it is, since you
desire.
You remember that all Paris was astonished that three women, all
three pretty, all having the same talents and having
the same claims, have remained intimately linked to each other since
the moment of their entry into the world. It was thought first to find the
reason in their extreme timidity, but soon surrounded by a courtyard
numerous of whom they shared the homage, and enlightened on their
value by the eagerness and the care with which they were the object,
their union became all the stronger, and it seemed as if the
triumph of one was always that of the other two. We hoped
at least the moment of love would bring some rivalry. our
pleasant were fighting over the honor of being the bone of contention, and
myself I would have put myself then on the ranks, so the big favor where
the Countess of ... raised me at the same time, would have allowed me to be
unfaithful before I got the approval I asked for.
However our three beauties, in the same carnival, made their choice
as in concert and far away that it excited the storms we had
promised, he only made their friendship more interesting by the
charm of confidences.
The crowd of unfortunate suitors then joined that of the women

jealous and the scandalous constancy was subject to public censorship.
Some claimed that in this society _separchable_ (thus
was it then called), the fundamental law was the community of good
and that love itself was subject to it; others ensured that the three
lovers, exempt from rivals, were not rivals; we even went
to the extent that they had been admitted only by decency and had not
got a title without function.
These noises, true or false, did not have the effect we had
promised. The three couples, on the contrary, felt that they were
lost if they separated in that moment; they took the party of
to face the storm. The public, who gets tired of everything, tired
soon an unsuccessful satire. Carried away by its natural lightness,
he took care of other objects; then, coming back to this one with his
Ordinary inconsistency, he changed the criticism into praise. Like here
everything is fashionable, enthusiasm won; he was becoming a real delusion
when Pr�van undertook to verify these wonders, and to fix on them
public opinion and his own.
He therefore sought these models of perfection. Easily admitted in

their society, he drew a favorable augury. He knew enough that
Happy people are not so easy to access. He lives soon, in
indeed, that this vaunted happiness was, like that of kings, more envied
than desirable. He noticed that among these so-called inseparable
began to seek the pleasures of the outside, that even
distraction; and he concludes that the bonds of love or friendship
were already released or broken, and that of self-esteem and
the habit alone preserved some force.
However the women, who the need gathered, kept

between them the appearance of the same intimacy; but men, more
free in their proceedings, found homework to complete or
business to follow; they complained again, but did not
dispensed more and rarely evenings were complete.
This conduct on their part was profitable to the assiduous Pr�van, who
placed naturally with the neglected of the day, found to offer
alternatively and depending on the circumstances, the same tribute to the three
friends. He easily felt that making a choice between them was
to get lost; that the false shame of finding the first unfaithful
scare the favorite; that the hurt vanity of the other two the
would make enemies of the new lover and they would not fail to
to display against him the severity of the great principles; finally, that the
jealousy would surely bring back the care of a rival who could be
still to be feared. Everything became an obstacle, everything became easy in
his triple project, every woman was indulgent because she was there
interested, every man, because he thought he was not.
Prevan, who had then only one woman to sacrifice, was enough
happy for her to take on celebrity. His status as a foreigner and
the homage of a great prince, adroitly refused, had fixed on
she has the attention of the court and the city; her lover shared it
honor and benefited from his new mistresses. The only
The difficulty was to confront these three intrigues, whose
was bound to be settled on the latest; indeed, I hold of a
of his confidants that his greatest sorrow was to arrest one who
He found himself ready to hatch nearly a fortnight before the others.
At last the big day arrived, Pr�van, who had obtained the three confessions,
was already master of the proceedings and settled them as you go
see. Of the three husbands, one was absent, the other was leaving the next day
at daybreak the third was at the city. Inseparable friends
had to sup with the future widow; but the new master had
not allowed that the old servants were invited there. In the morning
from this day, he makes three lots of letters from his beautiful, he accompanies
one of the portrait he had received from her, the second of a number
love that she herself had painted, the third of a loop of her
hair; each one received as a whole this third of sacrifice and consented,
in exchange, to send to the disgraced lover a glowing letter of
break.
It was a lot, it was not enough. The one whose husband was at the
city ??could only have the day; it was agreed that
feint indisposition would exempt her from going to sup with her friend and
that the evening would be all at Pr�van; the night was granted by the one
whose husband was absent, and the point of the day, the moment of departure of the
third husband, was marked by the last for the hour of the shepherd.
Prevan, who neglects nothing, then runs to the beautiful foreigner,

wears and gives birth to the mood he needs, and gets out
that after having established a quarrel that ensures him twenty-four hours
of freedom. His arrangements thus made, he returned home, counting
to take some rest; other business awaited him.
The letters of rupture had been a lightning strike for lovers

disgraced; each of them could not doubt that he had been sacrificed to
Prevan, and the spite of having been played, joining the mood that gives
almost always the small humiliation of being left, all three,
without communicating, but as if in concert, had resolved to have
reason, and decided to ask their fortunate rival.
He found the three cartels at home, and he accepted them
loyally; but not wishing to lose either the pleasures or the brilliancy of
this adventure he set appointments the next morning and the
assigned all three to the same place and time. It was at a
doors of the Bois de Boulogne.
In the evening, he ran his triple career with equal success; the
less had he boasted since each of his new mistresses
had received the pledge and oath of his love three times. Here, as
you judge it well, the proofs are lacking in history; everything that
can do the unbiased historian is to point out to the reader
incredulous, that exalted vanity and imagination can give birth to
prodigies and, moreover, that the morning that was to follow such a brilliant
The night seemed to require some care for the future. What
however, the following facts are more certain.
Prevan went exactly to the rendezvous he had indicated; there is

found his three rivals, a little surprised by their meeting, and maybe
each of them already partially consoled by seeing companions
misfortune. He approached them with an affable and cavalier air, and held them
together.
this speech, which I was faithfully rendered:
"Gentlemen," he said to them, "finding yourself assembled here, you

you probably guessed that you all had the same subject of
complaint against me. I am ready to give you reason. That the spell
decide, between you, who of the three will first attempt a revenge to
which you all have an equal right. I did not bring here neither second nor
witnesses. I did not take offense, I do not ask for it
for repair. "Then, yielding to his gambling character:" I know,
he added, "we rarely win the seventh, and we do it; but, whatever
the fate that awaits me, we have always lived enough when we had the
time to acquire the love of women and the esteem of men. "
While his astonished adversaries looked at each other in silence, and that
their delicacy perhaps calculated that this triple fight left
not the equal part, Pr�van spoke again: "I do not hide from you,
he continued, "that the night I have just passed cruelly
tired. It would be generous to you to allow me to repair my
strengths. I gave my orders to have a ready lunch here;
do me the honor to accept it. Let's have lunch together, and especially
have a nice lunch. We can fight for similar trifles,
but they must not, I believe, alter our mood. "
Lunch was accepted. Never, it is said, was Pr�van more lovable.

He had the address to humiliate none of his rivals, to persuade them
that all had easily the same successes, and especially of the
to make it clear that they had not, more than him, let slip
the occasion. These facts once admitted, everything was arranged of itself.
So the lunch was not over, we had already repeated ten
time that such women did not deserve honest people
fight for them. This idea brought cordiality; the wine the
strengthened; so that few moments after that was not enough of
to have no more grudge, we swore friendship without reserve.
Pr�van, who undoubtedly loved this outcome as well as the other,

yet did not want to lose anything of his celebrity. Consequently,
deftly folding his plans to the circumstances: "Indeed," he said to
three offended, it's not me, but your unfaithful mistresses
that you have to avenge yourself. I offer you the opportunity. Already I
feel, as you do, an injury that I would soon share;
because if each of you could not manage to fix one, can I
hope to fix all three? Your quarrel becomes mine.
Accept, for tonight, a supper in my little house, and I hope
do not delay your revenge any longer. "We wanted to do it
explain; but he, with that tone of superiority that circumstance
authorized him to take: "Gentlemen," he replied, "I think I have you
proved that I had some spirit of conduct; rest on me. "
All agreed, and after kissing their new friend they
separated until evening, waiting for the effect of his promises.
The latter, without wasting time, returns to Paris and goes, following
use, visit his new conquests. He got all three
that they would come the same evening supper _on t�te � t�te_ to his little
House. Two of them had some difficulties, but
does he still have to refuse the next day? He gave the appointment at one o'clock
distance, time needed for his projects. After these preparations,
he withdrew, warned the other three conspirators, and all four
went gaily to wait for their victims.
We hear the first one arrive. Prevan presents himself alone, receives it with
the air of eagerness, leads her to the sanctuary she
thought himself divinity, then, disappearing on a slight pretext, he
is immediately replaced by the outraged lover.
You judge that the confusion of a woman who has not yet the use
adventures, at that moment rendered the triumph very easy; all
reproach that was not done was counted for a grace, and the slave
fugitive, delivered back to her former master, was too happy to
to be able to hope for forgiveness by resuming his first chain. The Treaty
of peace was ratified in a more solitary place, and the scene, remained
empty, was alternately filled by the other actors about
the same way and especially with the same outcome.
Each of the women, however, thought she was still alone in the game.
amazement and embarrassment increased when, at suppertime,
the three couples met; but the confusion was at its height
when Pr�van, who reappeared in the midst of all, had the cruelty to do
to the three infidels an apology which, by delivering their secret, their
were fully aware of how far they had been played.
Meanwhile they sat down to table, and soon afterwards the countenance returned; the
men gave themselves up, the women submitted. All had hatred
in the heart, but the words were none the less tender; cheerfulness
awoke the desire which, in turn, lent him new charms. This
amazing orgy lasted until morning, and when we parted women
had to believe themselves forgiven; but the men, who had kept
their resentment, made the next day a break that had not
back, and not content to leave their light mistresses, they
completed their vengeance by publishing their adventure. Since then
one of them is at the convent, and the two others languish, exiled
in their lands.
This is the story of Pr�van; it's up to you to see if you want to add
to his glory and hitch you to his chariot of triumph. Your letter told me
really worried, and I look forward to
Wiser and clearer answer to the last one I wrote you.
Farewell, my beautiful friend, beware of pleasant or weird ideas that
always seduce you too easily. Remember that in the quarry
that you run the mind is not enough, only one imprudence
becomes an evil without remedy. Suffice finally that the prudent friendship is
sometimes the guide of your pleasures.
Farewell. I love you, however, as if you were reasonable.
LETTER LXXX
Cecile, my dear Cecile, when will it be time to see each other again? who
will teach me to live far from you? who will give me the strength and
courage? Never, never will I be able to bear this fatal
absence. Every day adds to my misfortune, and there is no end to it!
Valmont, who had promised me succours, consolations, Valmont me
neglect and maybe forget me. He is near what he loves; he ... not
know more about what we suffer when we are far away. By passing me
your last letter he did not write to me. It is he, however, who
must teach me when I can see you and by what means. Did he
so nothing to tell me? You yourself do not speak to me about it; would it be
you no longer share the desire? Ah! Cecile, Cecile, I'm fine
unfortunate. I love you more than ever, but this love, which makes the
charm of my life, becomes the torment.
No, I can not live like that anymore, I have to see you, you have to,
for a moment. When I get up, I say to myself, "I will not see her
I go to bed saying, "I did not see her." The days,
so long, do not have a moment for happiness. Everything is deprivation,
all is regret, all is despair, and all these words come to me from where
I waited for all my pleasures; add to those lethal penalties my
worry about yours, and you will have an idea of ??my situation. I
think of you constantly and never think about it without trouble. If I you
be afflicted, unhappy, I suffer from all your sorrows; if I you
be calm and consoled, it is mine who repeats. All over
I find misfortune.
Ah! that it was not so when you lived in the same places as
me! Everything then was pleasure. The certainty of seeing you embellish
even the moments of absence; the time we had to spend far from
you approached me by running away. The job I did
was never foreign to you If I did homework, they
made me more worthy of you; if I cultivated some talent,
I hoped to please you more. Even as the distractions of
The world carried me away from you, I was not separated from it. the
show, I was trying to guess what you would have liked: a concert
reminded me of your talents and our sweet occupations. In the circle,
as at the walks, I caught the slightest resemblance. I
you compared everything to everything; everywhere you had the advantage. Every
moment of
day was marked by a new tribute, and every night I brought
the tribute at your feet.
Now, what's left of me? Painful regrets, hardships

eternal and a slight hope that the silence of Valmont diminishes, that
yours is changing in concern. Only ten leagues separate us, and
this space, so easy to cross, becomes for me alone an obstacle
insurmountable! And when, to help me defeat him, I implore my friend,
my mistress, both remain cold and tranquil! Far from me
to help, they do not even answer me.
What has become of Valmont's active friendship? What have become

especially your tender feelings, which made you so ingenious
to find ways to see us every day? Sometimes I
remember, without ceasing to have the desire, I found myself forced to
to sacrifice it to considerations, to duties; what did you tell me
not then? By how many pretexts do you not fight my reasons!
And that you remember, my Cecile, always my reasons yielded to
your desires. I do not deserve a credit for it; I did not even have one
of sacrifice. What you wanted to get, I was burning to give it.
But finally I ask in my turn, and what is this request, of you
see a moment, renew yourself and receive the oath of love
eternal. Is not this your happiness like mine? I push back
this desperate idea, which would put an end to my troubles. You
love me, you will always love me; I believe it, I'm sure, I do not
never want to doubt it: but my situation is awful and I can not
support longer. Farewell, Cecile.
LETTER LXXXI
May your fears cause me pity! How much do they prove to me my

superiority over you, and you want to teach me, lead me! Ah! my
poor Valmont, how far are you from me! No, everything
the pride of your sex would not be enough to fill the gap that
separates us. Because you could not run my projects, you
judge them impossible! Being proud and weak, it befits you
to want to calculate my means and judge my resources! In truth,
Viscount, your advice has given me a temper, and I can not tell you
hide.
What to hide your awkwardness with your president

you were watching me as a triumph for having disconcerted for a moment this
a shy woman who loves you, I consent to it; to have obtained a
look, only one look, I smile and you pass it. That feeling, despite
you, the little value of your conduct, you hoped to steal it from
my attention by flattering myself of the sublime effort of bringing two
children, both of whom are burning to see each other and who, by the way,
I owe it alone to the ardor of this desire.
That finally you allow yourself of these brilliant actions to tell me,
in a doctoral tone, that it is better to use his time to execute
his plans only to recount them; this vanity does not harm me and I
forgiven. But can you believe that I need your
caution, that I would go astray by not giving in to your opinion, that I must
to sacrifice to them a pleasure, a fantasy, in truth, viscount, that is
also you too proud of the trust that I want to have in
you.
And what have you done that I have not surpassed a thousand times? You
have seduced, lost even many women; but what difficulties
did you have to conquer? What obstacles to overcome? Where is the
merit that is truly yours? A beautiful figure, pure effect of
hazard; graces, which use almost always gives, from the mind to
the truth, but to which jargon would supply the need; impudence
quite commendable, but perhaps only due to the ease of your
first successes; if I am not mistaken, these are all your means; because for the
celebrity that you may have acquired, you will not require, I believe, that
I count for a lot the art of giving birth or seizing the opportunity
of a scandal.
As for prudence, finesse, I do not speak of myself: but what

woman would not have more than you? Eh! your president leads you
like a child.
Believe me, vicomte, we rarely acquire the qualities we can

pass. Safe fighter, you must act without precaution. For
you men, the defeats are only successes less. In
this part so unequal, our strength is not to lose, and your
woe to not win. When I grant you so many talents
how much more do we not need to surpass
the necessity of making it a continual use!
Suppose, I agree, that you put as much address to us

defeat us to defend or surrender, you will agree at least
that it becomes useless after the success. Only busy
your new taste, you indulge it without fear, without reserve: this
is not yours that its duration matters.
Indeed, these links reciprocally given and received, to speak the

love, you alone can, at your choice, tighten them or
to break them; happy again if, in your lightness, preferring the
mystery to shine, you are content with a humiliating abandon and do not
do not make the idol of the day before the victim of the next day!
But that an unfortunate woman feels first the weight of her chain,
what risks does it have to run if it tries to avoid it,
if she only dares to lift it? It is only trembling that she
try to drive away from her the man whom his heart repels with effort.
Does it persist in staying, what it gave to love, it must be
deliver to fear:
His arms are still open when his heart is closed.
His prudence must address with skill those same bonds that you would have
broken. At the mercy of her enemy, she is helpless if she is without
generosity, and how to hope for it when, if sometimes
praise for having, never yet we do not blame it to miss it?
No doubt you will not deny these truths that their evidence has rendered
trivial. If, however, you have seen me with events and
opinions, make these men so formidable the toy of my whims
or my fantasies, take away from one's will, from others the power
to harm me, if I knew in turn, and according to my mobile tastes,
attach to my suite or dismiss away from me
These dethroned tyrants have become my slaves [32];
if, in the midst of these frequent revolutions, my reputation

yet kept pure, did not you have to conclude that, born for
avenge my sex and master yours, I knew how to create me
unknown to me?
[32] We do not know if this verse, as well as the one that is more
up, _Its arms open again when his heart is closed_, are
citations of little known works or if they are part of the
prose of Madame de Merteuil. What would make him believe is the
multitude of faults of this kind that are found in all
letters of this correspondence. Those of the knight Danceny
are the only ones that are exempt: perhaps as
sometimes occupied himself with poetry, his ear more
made it easier to avoid this defect.
Ah! keep your advice and your fears for these women to delirium and
who call themselves _de sentiment_; whose exalted imagination would make one
believe
that nature has placed their senses in their heads; who, having never
thoughtful, constantly confuse love and lover; who in their
mad illusion, believe that only one with whom they sought
pleasure is the sole depository, and true superstitious, have
for the priest the respect and the faith which is due only to the Divinity.
Fear again for those who, more vain than prudent, do not know
not if necessary consent to be removed.
Tremble especially for these active women in their idleness, that you
name _sensibles_ and whose love takes hold so easily and with
so much power, who feel the need to take care of it even
when they do not enjoy it and, surrendering themselves without reservation to the
Fermentation of their ideas, give birth to these sweet letters,
but so dangerous to write, and do not fear to entrust these
evidence of their weakness to the object that causes them: imprudent who in
their current lover does not know how to see their future enemy.
But what do I have in common with these inconsiderate women? When

did you see me depart from the rules that I prescribed myself and
to miss my principles? I say my principles, and I say it on purpose,
because they are not, like those of other women, abandoned
chance, received without examination and followed by habit: they are the fruit of
my deep thoughts; I created them and I can say that I am
my work.
Entering the world at the time when, girl again, I was doomed by
state of silence and inaction, I took the opportunity to observe and
reflect. While I was thought to be dizzy or distracted, listening
in truth, the speeches that were eager to hold me, I collected
carefully those who were trying to hide me.
This useful curiosity, by serving to instruct me, still teaches me

hide; often forced to hide the objects of my attention from
the eyes of those around me, I tried to guide mine to my
will; I obtained from this moment to take at will this distracted look that
you rented so often. Encouraged by this first success, I tried
to regulate in the same way the various movements of my face. Felt I
some sorrow, I studied to take the air of serenity, even
that of joy; I carried the zeal until I felt pains
volunteers, to seek during this time the expression of pleasure.
I worked with the same care and more trouble to repress
the symptoms of unexpected joy. That's how I knew how to take
on my countenance this power of which I have seen you sometimes if
surprised.
I was still young and almost without interest, but I did not
to me that my thought, and I was indignant that I could be ravished or
to surprise her against my will. Armed with these first weapons, I
tried the use; not content to no longer let me in, I
I amused myself by showing myself in different forms; sure of my actions,
I observed my speeches; I settled each other according to the
circumstances or even just following my fantasies: from that moment,
my way of thinking was for me alone and I only showed
that it was useful to let me see.
This work on myself had focused my attention on the expression of

figures and the character of physiognomies; and I won that glance
penetrating experience that yet taught me not to trust
entirely, but which, in all, has rarely deceived me.
I was not fifteen, I already had the talents to which the

most of our policies owe their reputation, and I
I was still only at the first elements of science that I
wanted to acquire.
You think that, like all girls, I was looking for

to guess love and its pleasures, but having never been to the convent,
having no good friend and watched by a vigilant mother, I
I had only vague ideas which I could not fix; nature
same, which I certainly had only to rent since, did not give me
still no clue. It looked like she was working in silence at
perfecting his work. My head alone was fermenting; I did not want
to enjoy, I wanted to know; the desire to educate me suggested to me the
means.
I felt that the only man I could talk to on this object

without compromising myself was my confessor. At once I took my side:
I overcame my little shame and, boasting of a fault that I had
I did not commit it, I accused myself of having done all that women do.
It was my expression, but in speaking thus, I did not know in truth,
what idea did I express? My hope was neither utterly wrong nor
completely filled: the fear of betraying me prevented me from enlightening myself;
but the good Father hurt me so much that I conclude that pleasure
had to be extreme and, with the desire to know it, succeeded that of the
to taste.
I do not know where this desire would have led me, and then devoid of experience,
perhaps one occasion would have lost me; luckily for me, my
Mother announced to me a few days after I was going to get married; right away
the certainty of knowing extinguished my curiosity and I arrived virgin between
the arms of M. de Merteuil.
I waited safely for the moment that was to teach me, and I had
need reflection to show embarrassment and fear. This
first night, which is usually so cruel a thought
or so sweet, only gave me an opportunity to experience: pain
and pleasure, I observed everything exactly and did not see in these various
sensations as facts to collect and ponder.
This kind of study soon managed to please me, but true to my

principles and feeling, perhaps instinctively, that no one should be
further from my confidence than my husband, I resolved, by that alone that
I was sensitive, to show myself impassible to him. This coldness
apparent was subsequently the unshakable foundation of his blind
trust; I added, by a second reflection, the air of insanity
that allowed my age, and he never judged me more child than in
the moments when I praised it with more daring.
However, I'll admit, I let myself be dragged first by the

whirlwind of the world and I indulged all his distractions
futile. But, after a few months, M. de Merteuil having led me
to his sad campaign, the fear of boredom made the taste of
the study, and finding me surrounded only by people whose distance with
I sheltered myself from all suspicion, I took the opportunity to give a
wider field to my experiences. It was there especially that I made sure
that love, which is boasted to us as the cause of our pleasures,
is at most only the pretext.
The illness of M. de Merteuil interrupted such sweet occupations;

he had to follow him to the city where he came to seek help.
He died, as you know, shortly after, and though at all
take, I did not have to complain about him, I felt no less
the price of the liberty which my widowhood was about to give me, and I
I promise to enjoy it.
My mother expected me to enter the convent or come back to live with

she. I refused both of them and all that I agreed to
decency was to return to the same campaign, where I had
still a few observations to make.
I strengthened them by the aid of reading; but do not believe

that she was all the kind you suppose. I studied our morals
in novels, our opinions in philosophers; I even looked for
in the most severe moralists what they demanded from us and I
assured me of what we could do, what we should think
and what to appear. Once fixed on these three objects,
the last one alone presented some difficulties in its execution:
I hoped to conquer them, and I meditated on them.
I began to miss my rustic pleasures, too little varied

for my active head; I felt a need for coquetry that
mended with love, not to feel it to the truth, but
to inspire and feign him. In vain had I been told and had I read
that this feeling could not be feigned: I saw, however, that for
achieve this, it was enough to join the spirit of an author the talent
of a comedian. I practiced in both genres and maybe with
some success but, instead of looking for vain applause
of the theater, I resolved to employ to my happiness what so many others
sacrificed to vanity.
A year passed in these different occupations. My mourning

allowing then to reappear, I returned to the city with my grand
projects; I did not expect the first obstacle I encountered there.
This long solitude, this austere retreat had thrown upon me a
polish of prudery, which frightened our most agreeable; they stood
away and left me indulged in a boring crowd who all
pretended to my hand. The embarrassment was not to refuse them, but
many of those refusals displeased my family and I lost in those
internal annoyances the time I had promised myself so charming
use. So I was obliged to call back some and
others, to display some inconsistencies and to use to harm my
reputation, the care I intended to put in the preservation. I succeed
easily, as you can believe. But not being carried away by any
passion, I only did what I thought was necessary and measured with
caution the doses of my forgetfulness.
As soon as I touched the goal I wanted to reach, I came back

my steps and honored my amendment to some of these women
who, in the powerlessness of having pretensions to approval,
reject on those of merit and virtue. It was a party shot
which earned me more than I had hoped. These grateful dunes
my apologists, and their blind zeal for what they
called their work, was carried to the point that at the slightest
allowed himself on me, all the prudish party cried scandal and
injury. The same means still won me the suffrage of our women to
pretensions, who, persuaded that I gave up the same career
that they chose me for the purpose of their praise every time
that they wanted to prove that they did not meditate on everyone.
However my previous driving had brought back the lovers, and for me
between them and my unfaithful protectors, I showed myself as
a sensitive but difficult woman, to whom the excess of her delicacy
provided weapons against love.
So I began to deploy on the big theater the talents that I

I had given myself. My first care was to acquire the reputation of invincible.
To achieve this, men who did not please me were always
the only ones I seemed to accept the homage. I used them
usefully to get me the honors of resistance, while I
delivered me without fear to the favorite lover. But that one, my feint
shyness never allowed him to follow me in the world, and the
The looks of the circle were thus always fixed on the unhappy lover.
You know how much I decide quickly: it is for having observed that this
are almost always the previous care that deliver the secret of
women. Whatever you can do, the tone is never the same before
or after the success. This difference does not escape the observer
attentive, and I found it less dangerous to be wrong in the
choice to let me in. I still win by doing away with
likelihoods on which only we can judge ourselves.
These precautions and that of never writing, never delivering

no evidence of my defeat, could appear excessive and
have never seemed sufficient to me Descended into my heart, I studied there
that of others. I saw that he is nobody who keeps
a secret that matters to him that is not revealed: truth that
antiquity seems to have known better than us and whose history of
Samson could only be an ingenious emblem. New Dalila, I have
always, like her, used my power to surprise this secret
important. Hey! of how many of our modern Samson do I not hold the
hair under the chisel? and those, I stopped fearing them: this
are the only ones that I have allowed myself to humiliate sometimes. More
flexible with others, the art of making them unfaithful to avoid
to appear to them fickle, a feigned friendship, an apparent confidence,
some generous processes, the flattering idea and that everyone keeps
to have been my only lover, got me their discretion. Finally, when
I missed these means, I knew, foreseeing my breaks, smother
in advance, under ridicule or slander, the confidence that these men
dangerous could have obtained.
What I'm telling you here, you see me constantly practicing, and you
Doubt my prudence! Well! remember the time you are telling me
give your first attention; never did tribute flatter me so much; I
you wanted before seeing you. Seduced by your reputation, he
it seemed to me that you were wanting in my glory; I was burning to fight you
melee. It's the only one of my tastes that has ever taken a moment
empire over me. However, if you had wanted to lose me, what
means would you have found? vain speeches that leave no
trace after them, that your very reputation would have helped to make suspicious,
and a series of events without any likelihood, whose sincere account would have
the air of a novel evil fabric.
In truth, I have since delivered all my secrets, but you know

what interests unite us, and if between us, it's me
to charge with imprudence [33].
[33] We will know in the following, letter CLII, not the secret of
M. de Valmont, but about what kind he was, and the
reader will feel that we have not been able to clarify it further on this
object.
Since I'm realizing, I want to do it

exactly. I hear you from here telling me that I'm at least at the
thank you my maid; indeed, if she does not have the secret of
my feelings, she has that of my actions. When you told me about it
In the old days, I only replied that I was sure of her, and the proof
that answer is enough for your peace of mind, is that you
have since confided, and for your account, secrets quite dangerous.
But now that Pr�van gives you shade and that the head you
in turn, I suspect that you no longer believe me on my word.
So you have to edify yourself.
First, this girl is my milk sister, and this link that does not
seems not one, is not without strength for the people of this state;
besides, I have his secret and better still: victim of a madness of
love, she was lost if I had not saved her. His parents, everything
bristling with honor, wished no less than to shut her up. They
addressed me. I saw at a glance how much their wrath
could be useful to me. I seconded him and asked for the order, that
I obtained. Then, suddenly passing to the party of clemency to which
I brought his parents, and taking advantage of my credit with the old man
Minister, I made them all agree to leave me depositary of this
order and mistress to stop or ask for the execution, according as I
would judge of the merit of the future conduct of this girl. She knows so
that I have his fate in his hands, and when, by impossible, these means
powerful would not stop it, is it not obvious that his conduct
unveiled and his genuine punishment would soon remove any claim to
his speeches?
To these precautions, which I call fundamental, join a thousand

other, or local, or used, that reflection and habit
have them found as needed; detail of which would be minute, but
practice is important, and you need to be bothered to
gather in all of my driving, if you want to achieve
to know them.
But to pretend that I gave myself so much care for not

remove fruit, after being so high above the others
women by my painful labors, I consent to crawl like them in
my march, between imprudence and timidity; that especially I pusse
to dread a man to the point of not seeing my salvation except in flight?
No, viscount, never! We must conquer or perish. As for Pr�van, I want
to have it and I will have it; he wants to say it and he will not say it: in two
words, this is our novel. Farewell.
LETTER LXXXII
My God, your letter has hurt me! I really needed

to have so much impatience to receive it! I was hoping to find some
consolation, and here I am more afflicted than before to have it
received. I cried while reading it: that's not what I told you
reproach; I have already cried many times because of you without it
hurt. But this time, it's not the same thing.
What do you mean, that your love becomes a

torment for you, that you can not live like this, nor support
longer your situation? Are you going to stop
to love me, because it is not so pleasant as formerly? He is
I seem to be no happier than you, quite the contrary;
and yet I love you only more. If M. de Valmont did not tell you
not written, it's not my fault; I could not pray to him because
I was not alone with him and we agreed that we
we would never speak to the world; and that is still for us,
so that he can do what you want sooner. I'm not saying that
I do not want it too, and you must be sure of it, but how
do you want me to do? If you think it's so easy, find
so the way, I do not ask for better.
Do you think it's nice for me to be scolded every day

by mom, she who previously never said anything to me, well at
opposite? Now it's worse than if I were at the convent. I am
consoled, however, thinking that it was for you; there was even
moments when I found that I was well pleased; but when I
see that you are angry too, and that without any of my
fault, I become more chagrined than for all that has just happened to me
so far.
Just to receive your letters is an embarrassment, that if Mr. de

Valmont was not as complaisant and adroit as he is, I
do not know how to do it, and to write to you it's more difficult
again. All morning I do not dare, because mom is close
from me and that she comes to my room anytime. Sometimes
I can do it in the afternoon, under the pretext of singing or playing
harp; I still have to interrupt every moment to make sure
hear that I'm studying. Fortunately my maid falls asleep
sometimes in the evening, and I tell him I'll go to sleep well
alone, so that it goes away and leaves me light. And then he
I have to put myself under my curtain so that we can not see
clarity, and then I listen to the slightest noise to be able to hide everything
in my bed if we came. I wish you were there to see!
You would see that we must love to do that. Finally he is
well I'm doing everything I can and I wish I could
do more.
Surely I do not refuse to tell you that I love you and that I
you will always love; I never said it with a better heart, and
you are angry! You had assured me, however, before I
it would have been enough to make you happy. You do not
can not deny it: it's in your letters. Even though I do not have them anymore,
I remember it like when I read it every day. And because
we are absent, you no longer think the same! But this absence
will not last forever, perhaps? My God, how unhappy I am, and
it is you who are the cause!
About your letters, I hope you kept those that mom

took me and sent you back; he will have to come
time when I will not be so embarrassed now, and you will give them back to me
all. How happy I will be when I can always keep them
without anyone having anything to do with it! Now I give them to M. de
Valmont, because there would be too much to risk otherwise; despite this, I
never tell him that it does not bother me.
Farewell, my dear friend. I love you with all my heart. I will love you
all my life. I hope you are not angry now, and if I
I was sure I would not be myself anymore. Write to me as soon as
you will be able, because I feel that until then I will always be sad.
_From the castle of ..., this 21st of September 17 ** ._
LETTER LXXXIII
Thank you, madame, let's renew this conversation, so unfortunately broken!

That I can finish to prove to you how much I differ from the hateful
a portrait that was made of me; that I can, above all, enjoy
again with that kind confidence that you began to testify to me!
What charms you know to lend to virtue! As you embellish
and cherish all honest sentiments! Ah! It's yours
seduction; it is the strongest; it's the only one at once
powerful and respectable.
No doubt it is enough to see you to desire to please you; from you

to hear in the circle that this desire increases. But whoever has
the happiness of knowing you more, who can sometimes read in
your soul, soon yields to a more noble enthusiasm and, penetrated by
veneration as of love, adore in you the image of all the virtues.
More than another, perhaps, to love and follow them,
driven by some mistakes that had kept me away from them, it's you
who brought me closer, who made me feel again the whole
charm; will you make me a crime of this new love? Will you blame your
work? Would you blame yourself for the interest you could
take? What harm can one fear from a feeling so pure and what
sweets would not have to taste it?
My love scares you? Do you find it violent, frantic? Temper it

by a sweeter love; do not refuse the empire that I offer you,
which I swear never to evade and who, I dare to believe,
would not be entirely lost for virtue. What sacrifice could
to seem painful, sure that your heart would keep me the price? What is
so the man is unhappy enough not to know how to enjoy privations
that it imposes itself; not to prefer a word, a glance granted, to
all the enjoyments he could delight or surprise! And you have
I thought I was that man and you feared me! Ah! why your
happiness does not depend on me! As I will take revenge on you
making happy! But this sweet empire, the sterile friendship does not produce it
not; it is only due to love.
Does this word intimidate you? and why? A softer attachment, a

stronger union, one thought, the same happiness as the same
What, then, is there a stranger to your soul? Such is
love, that is at least the one you inhale and feel.
It is he who especially, calculating without interest, knows how to appreciate the
actions on their merit and not on their value; inexhaustible treasure of
sensitive souls, everything becomes precious, made by him or for him.
These truths, so easy to grasp, so sweet to practice, what do they

So scary? What fears can you also cause a man
sensitive, to whom love no longer allows another happiness than yours?
Today is the only wish that I form: I will sacrifice everything
to fill it, except the feeling that inspires it, and that feeling
He himself agrees to share it, and you will pay for it.
But let us not suffer anymore that he divides us when he should unite us.
If the friendship you offered me is not an empty word, if, as
you told me yesterday, it's the sweetest feeling that your soul
know; it is she who stipulates between us, I will not recuse it
point; but judge of love, that she agrees to listen to it; the refusal
to hear it would become an injustice, and friendship is not unjust.
A second interview will not have more disadvantages than the first:
chance can still provide the opportunity; you could yourself
indicate the moment. I want to believe that I am wrong; will not you like
better to bring me back than to fight me, and do you doubt my docility? If this
importunate third party did not come to interrupt us, maybe I would
already fully returned to your opinion; who knows how far can go
your power?
Shall I tell you? this invincible power to which I give

without daring to calculate it, this irresistible charm that makes you sovereign
of my thoughts as of my actions, it sometimes happens to me
to fear. Alas! this interview that I ask you is this to me at the
fear? Maybe after, chained by my promises, will I see myself
reduced to burning with a love that I feel good that can not go out
without daring to implore your help! Ah! Madam, please, do not abuse
of your empire! But what! if you have to be happier, if
I must be more worthy of you, what sentences are
not softened by these consoling ideas! Yes, I feel it, speak to you
Again it is to give you stronger arms against me, it's me
submit more fully to your will. It is easier to
defend against your letters; these are your very speeches, but
you are not there to lend them strength. However the pleasure
to hear you makes me brave the danger: at least I will have
happiness to have done everything for you, even against me, and my sacrifices
will become a tribute. Too happy to prove you in a thousand ways,
as I feel it in a thousand ways, that, without exception, you are,
you will always be the dearest object to my heart.
LETTER LXXXIV
_The Viscount of VALMONT in C�CILE VOLANGES._
You saw how much we were upset yesterday. From all

day I could not give you the letter I had for you;
I do not know if I will find it easier today. I'm afraid of
compromise you by putting more zeal than skill, and I do not
I would not forgive you an imprudence that would become so fatal to you
and would cause the despair of my friend, by making you eternally
unhappy. However, I know the impatience of love; I smell
how painful it must be in your situation to feel
delay to the only consolation you can taste in this moment.
By taking care of ways to remove obstacles, I found
one whose execution will be easy if you put some care in it.
I think I noticed that the key to the door of your room, which
overlook the corridor, is still on the chimney of your mom.
Everything would become easy with this key, you must feel it well;
but in his absence I will get you a similar one and who will
will supply. It will be enough for me to succeed, to have the other one hour
or two at my disposal. You must easily find the opportunity to
take, and so that we do not realize that it misses, I join
one here to me, which is quite similar, so that we do not see the
difference, unless one tries it; what we will not try. he
you only need to be careful to put a ribbon, blue and past,
like the one that is yours.
We should try to have this key for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,
lunch time; because it will be easier for you to give it to me
then and it can be put back in its place for the evening, time
where your mom could pay more attention. I will be able to
to return at dinner time, if we get along well.
You know that when you go from the living room to the dining room, it's
Madame de Rosemonde always walks last. I will give him the
hand. You will only have to leave your tapestry trade slowly,
or drop something in order to stay back: you
be sure then take the key that I will take care to keep behind
me. It will not be necessary to neglect, immediately after taking it,
join my old aunt and give her some caresses. If, by
By chance, you let this key fall, do not be disconcerted;
I will pretend that it is me and I answer you for everything.
The lack of confidence that your mother shows you and her processes
so hard on you, authorize the rest this little trickery.
It is, moreover, the only way to continue receiving the letters
of Danceny and to make him pass yours; everything else is really
too dangerous and could lose you both without resources; as well
my cautious friendship would reproach me for using them more.
Once master of the key, we will remain a few precautions to

take against the sound of the door and the lock: but they are
very easy. You will find under the same cabinet where I had put your
paper, oil and a feather. Sometimes you go to your home
hours when you're alone: ??you have to take the opportunity to oil the
lock and hinges. The only attention to have is to be careful
to the stains that would deposit against you. It will also be necessary to wait
until
night has come, because if it is done with the intelligence of which
you are capable, he will not appear there the next morning.
If, however, we notice it, do not hesitate to say that it is the

rubler of the castle. In this case, it would be necessary to specify the time, even
speeches he has given you: for example, that he takes
this treatment against rust, for all the locks of which we do not
not use. Because you feel that it would not be likely that you
would have witnessed this trouble without asking the cause. It is these
little details that give the likelihood and the likelihood makes
lies without consequence, removing the desire to check them.
After you read this letter, please read it again and even
to take care of it: first, it is necessary to know what we
wants to do well; then, to make sure I did not miss anything. Little
accustomed to use finesse on my own, I do not have much
use; it did not even take less than my deep friendship for Danceny
and the interest you inspire in determining me to use these
means, innocent as they are. I hate everything that looks like
the trickery; this is my character. But your misfortunes touched me at
I will try everything to soften them.
You think that this communication once established between us,

it will be much easier for me to get Danceny's interview
that he desires. However, do not talk to him about all this yet; you do not
would only increase his impatience, and the moment of satisfying it is
not yet quite come. You owe it to her, I think, to calm her down
rather than embitter it. I rely on this to your delicacy.
Farewell, my beautiful pupil, for you are my pupil. Love yours a little
guardian and above all have docility with him; you will find
well. I take care of your happiness and be sure that I will find the
mine.
[Illustration: PL. VI
_C. Monnet inv._
_Ph. Triere sc._
LETTER LXXXV]
LETTER LXXXV
Finally, you will be quiet and above all you will do me justice.
Listen and do not confuse me with other women. I put to
the end my adventure with Prevan; _to the end! _ do you hear what
that means? Now you will judge who of him or me
to boast. The story will not be so pleasant as the action; also do not
would not it be fair that while you only reasoned well
or badly on this affair, it will be as much pleasure to you as to me,
who gave me my time and my pain.
However, if you have some big shot to make, if you have to

undertake some business where this dangerous rival appears to you to
fear, arrive. It leaves you free, at least for some
time; maybe he'll never get up again from the blow I gave him
door.
How happy you are to have me as a friend! I am for you a fairy

beneficent. You languish away from the beauty that engages you: I say
a word and you end up with her. You want revenge
of a woman who harms you: I mark you where you have to
knock and deliver at your discretion. Finally, to remove from the lists
a formidable competitor, it is still me that you invoke and I
you answer. In truth, if you do not spend your life thanking me
it is that you are an ungrateful person. I come back to my adventure and take it
back
original.
The rendezvous, given so high, at the exit of the Opera [34], was heard
as I had hoped. Prevan went there and when the Marshal
said obligingly that she was happy to see him twice in a row
in his day he was careful to answer that since Tuesday night he had
undo thousand arrangements to be able to dispose of this evening.
_Well, hello! _ As I wanted to know, however, with more
of certainty, whether or not I was the true object of this eagerness
flattering, I wanted to force the new suitor to choose between me and
its dominant taste. I declared that I would not play; indeed, he
found, on his side, a thousand pretexts not to play, and my first
triumph was on the lansquenet.
[34] See the letter LXXIV.
I took the bishop of ... for my conversation; I choose him to

because of his connection with the hero of the day, to whom I wanted to give
all ease of approaching me. I was glad to have a
respectable witness who could, if necessary, testify of my conduct and my
speech. This arrangement succeeds.
After the vague and usual words, Pr�van having soon become master
of the conversation took turns different tones to try that one
who could please me. I refused that of feeling, as there
not believing; I stopped by his seriousness his gaiety, which seemed to me too much
light for a start; he fell back on the delicate friendship, and it was
under this banal flag we began our reciprocal attack.
At supper time, the bishop did not come down; Prevan then gave me
hand and was naturally placed at table next to me. he
must be fair; he sustained with great skill our conversation
particular in appearing to deal only with the conversation
general, which he seemed to be doing all the expense. At dessert, we
spoke of a new piece to be given the following Monday at
French. I expressed some regret at not having my box; he
offered me his, which I refused at first, as is practiced;
to which he replied rather pleasantly that I did not hear him;
for sure he would not sacrifice his box to someone
that he did not know, but that he was only warning me that Ms.
the Marshal would dispose of it. She lent herself to this joke and
I accepted.
Up in the living room, he asked, as you can believe, a place in

this lodge; and like the marechale, who treats him with a lot of
goodness, promised him if he was wise, he took the opportunity of one of
these two-way conversations, for which you have boasted
his talent. Indeed, having put himself on his knees, like a submissive child,
he said, under the pretext of asking his advice and imploring his
reason, he says a lot of things flattering and quite tender, of which
it was easy for me to apply. Many people do not
not having returned to play after dinner, the conversation was more
general and less interesting; but our eyes spoke a lot.
I say our eyes: I should say his, because mine did not
that a language, that of surprise. He must have thought I was amazed
and took great care of the prodigious effect he was doing on
me. I think I left him very satisfied; I was not less
happy.
The following Monday I was in French, as we had agreed.

Despite your literary curiosity, I can not tell you anything about
show, except that Pr�van has a wonderful talent for cajolery
and that the coin has fallen; that's all I've learned. I saw
with difficulty to finish this evening which really pleased me a lot, and,
to prolong it, I offered to the marechale to come and sup with me;
which gives me the pretext of proposing it to the amiable coaxer,
who only asked for time to run, to get clear, even at home
the countesses of P *** [35]. This name made me angry; I live
clearly that he was going to begin the confidences; I remembered your
wise advice and promised me ... to continue the adventure; sure that
I would cure him of this dangerous indiscretion.
[35] See the letter LXX.
Stranger in my society, which that night was small, he

was the usual care, too, when we went to supper, he offered me the
hand. I had the malice, by accepting it, to put in mine a
lightly shuddering and having, while walking, eyes downcast and
high breathing. I seemed to sense my defeat and
fear my winner. He remarked it wonderfully, also the traitor
he changed on the spot and holding on. He was gallant, he
became tender. It's not that the words were about the same
the circumstances forced him, but his eyes became less vivid,
was more caressing, the inflection of his softer voice, his smile
was no longer that of finesse, but of contentment. Finally, in his
speech, gradually extinguishing the fire of the projection, the spirit made room
to the delicacy. I ask you, what did you do better?
For my part, I became dreamy, so much so that we were forced to

to see, and when I was reproached for it, I had the address of
to defend awkwardly and to throw on Prevan a quick glance,
but shy and disconcerted and apt to make him believe that all my
fear was that he would guess the cause of my trouble.
After dinner, I took advantage of the time when the good marshal told
one of those stories she always tells me to put on my
Ottoman, in this abandonment that gives a tender reverie. I was not
angry that Prevan saw me thus; he honored me, indeed, with
very special. You do not think my shy looks dared
to seek the eyes of my conqueror; but directed to him in a way
more humble, they soon taught me that I was getting the effect that I
wanted to produce. It still had to be persuaded that I shared it;
so when the marechale announced that she was going to retire, I exclaimed
in a soft and tender voice: "Oh God! I was so good! "I got up
However; but before separating from her, I asked her her plans,
to have an excuse to say mine and let me know that I
stay home two days later. With that, everyone broke up.
So I began to think. I had no doubt that Pr�van did not profit

of the kind of rendezvous I had just given him; that it does not come
early enough to find me alone and that the attack was not
lively; but I was also sure, from my reputation, that he did not
would not treat with this lightness that, if we have any use, we
only use with women with adventures or those who have no
experience, and I saw my success certain if he pronounced the word
of love, if he had the pretension, above all, to obtain it from me.
How convenient it is to deal with you, _gens � principes_!

sometimes a draft of love disconcerts you with its timidity,
or embarrass you by his fiery transports, it is a fever which,
like the other, has its shivers and ardor and sometimes varies in
his symptoms. But your regulated walk can be easily guessed!
The arrival, the maintenance, the tone, the speeches, I knew everything from
the day before. I will not make you our conversation as you
make up for it easily. Only observe that, in my fake defense,
I helped him with all my power: embarrassment to give him time to
talk, bad reasons to fight, fear and mistrust
to bring back the protests, and this perpetual refrain from him,
_I only ask you a word_, and this silence of mine that seems
let him wait only to make him want more; through
of all this, a hand a hundred times taken that always withdraws and does not
never refuse. We would thus spend a whole day, we spent there
a deadly hour; we might be there again if we had not
I heard a carriage enter my yard. This happy setback
of course, rendered his authorities more lively, and I, seeing the
moment arrived where I was safe from any surprise, after having
prepared by a long sigh, I granted the precious word. It was announced, and
A short time later I had a fairly numerous circle.
Prevan asked me to come the next morning, and I consented; but,

careful to defend myself, I ordered my maid to stay
all the time of this visit to my bedroom, from where you
know that you see everything that happens in my bathroom, and
it was there that I received it. Free in our conversation and having all
two the same desire, we soon agreed, but it was necessary to
to undo this unwelcome spectator; that was where I was waiting for him.
So, making him my own picture of my inner life, I tell him

persuaded easily that we would never find a moment of freedom
and that we had to look like a kind of miracle whose
we had enjoyed yesterday, which even would still leave too much danger
to expose myself to it, since at any moment one could enter
my living room. I did not fail to add that all these uses were
established because until now, they had never bothered me,
and I insisted at the same time on the impossibility of changing them without me
compromise in the eyes of my people. He tried to get sad, to take
of mood, to tell me that I had little love, and you guess
how all that touched me. But wanting to hit the decisive blow,
I called tears for my help. This was exactly the _Za�re, you
pleurez_. This empire that he believed on me and the hope that he conceived
to lose myself at his pleasure, held him in place of all Orosman's love.
This sudden change of scene, we returned to arrangements. Failing

of the day, we took care of the night; but my Swiss became a
insurmountable obstacle and I did not allow anyone to try to
to win. He proposed to me the little door of my garden; but I had it
planned, and I created a dog that, quiet and silent during the day,
was a real demon at night. The ease with which I entered
all these details were well suited to embolden him, so he came to me
to propose the most ridiculous expedient, and that was the one I accepted.
At first his servant was as sure as himself; in this he does not

he was very wrong, one was as good as the other. I would have a big
supper at home, he would be there, he would take his time to go out alone.
The skilful confident would call the car, open the door and he,
Prevan, instead of going up, would slip away deftly. His coachman does
could not notice it in any way; so released for everyone
and yet stayed at my house, it was a question of whether he could
to reach my apartment. I admit that first of all my embarrassment was
to find against this project rather bad reasons for him to have
they seem to destroy them; he replied with examples. To hear him,
nothing was more ordinary than this means; he himself was very
served; it was even the one he used the most, like the
less dangerous.
Subjugated by these irrefutable authorities, I agreed with candor,

that I did have a hidden staircase that led very close to my
boudoir, that I could leave the key there and that it would be easy for him to
shut up and wait, without much risk, that my women
were withdrawn, and then, to give more credence to my
consent, the next moment I did not want to, I did not come back to
to consent only with perfect submission, wisdom ...
Ah! what wisdom! Finally I wanted to prove to him my love, but
not satisfy his.
The exit, which I forgot to talk to you about, had to be done by

little garden door; it was just waiting for the point of
day, the cerber would not say a word anymore. Not a soul goes to this
hour and people are in the thick of sleep. If you
you are surprised by this pile of bad reasoning, it is that you
forget our reciprocal situation. What did we need to do
better? He did not want better than all that was known, and
I was sure that we would not know it. The day was set
two days later.
Note that this is an arranged case and no one has seen

Prevan in my society. I meet him at supper with one of my friends;
he offers him his box for a new play and I accept a place there.
I invite this woman to supper during the show and in front of Pr�van, I
I can hardly dispense with proposing to be one. He accepts
and makes me, two days later, a visit which the custom requires. He comes to
the truth, see me the next morning; but, besides the visits of the
morning do not mark anymore, it's up to me to find this too
ballast, and I put it in effect in the class of people less connected with
me, by a written invitation for a ceremonial dinner. I can
to say well as Annette: _But that's all, though! _
The fatal day arrived, that day when I had to lose my virtue and my
reputation, I gave my instructions to my faithful Victory and she
executed as you will see soon.
However, the evening came. I already had a lot of people at home when
Pr�van was announced. I received him with a marked politeness which
noted my little connection with him, and I put it to the part of the
Marshal, as being the one by whom I had made this acquaintance.
The evening produced nothing but a very small note that the discreet
in love found a way to recover and that I burned following my
custom. He told me that I could count on him, and that word
essential was surrounded by all the parasitic words of love, of happiness,
etc., who never fail to be at such a party.
At midnight, the parts being finished, I proposed a short

Macedonia [36]. I had the dual project of promoting the escape of
Prevan and at the same time to point it out, which could not
fail to arrive, given his reputation as a player. I was happy too
that we could remember, if need be, that I had not been in a hurry to
to stay alone
[36] Some people may not know that a Macedon

is an assembly of several games of chance, among which
each cutter has the right to choose when it is up to him to hold
the hand. It is one of the inventions of the century.
The game lasted longer than I thought. The devil tempted me and I
succumbed to the desire to go and console the impatient prisoner. I
thus leading me to my loss, when I think that once made
altogether I would have no more on him the empire to hold him in the
costume of decency necessary for my projects. I had the strength to
resist. I turned back and came back, not without humor, to resume
my place in this eternal game. It ends, however, and everyone leaves. For
me, I rang my women, I undressed very quickly and sent them back
likewise.
Do you see me, viscount, in my light dress, walking a step

timid and cautious, and with an unsteady hand open the door to
my winner? He saw me: the lightning is not quicker. That you
shall I say? I was defeated, quite vanquished, before I could say
a word to stop him or defend me. He then wanted to take
a situation more convenient and more suitable to the circumstances. he
cursed his adornment which, he said, kept him away from me; he wanted
fight me on equal terms, but my extreme shyness objected to this
project and my tender caresses did not leave him time. he
took care of something else.
His rights were doubled, and his pretensions returned; but then:
"Listen to me," said I, "you will have so far a pleasant enough
an account to be given to the two countesses of P *** and to a thousand others; but
I
am curious to know how you will tell the end of the adventure. "
In speaking thus, I sounded with all my strength. For once,
I had my turn and my action was stronger than his word. He had not
still stammered when I heard Victory come running and call _the
she had kept her at home, as I had ordered her to do.
There, taking my queen's tone and raising her voice, "Come out, sir,
I continued, and never reappear before me. "On this, the crowd
my people entered.
Poor Prevan lost his head, and thinking he saw a trap in this
which was only a joke, he threw himself on his sword. Wrong
took it from him, for my valet de chambre, brave and vigorous, seized him
to the body and the terrassa. I had, I confess, a mortal fear. I
shouted that they should stop and order that their free
only making sure he came out of my house. My people obeyed me,
but the rumor was great among them; they were indignant that we had dared
to miss their virtuous mistress. All accompanied the unfortunate
Knight, with noise and scandal, as I wished. The only
Victoire remained and we took care during this time to repair the
disorder of my bed.
My people always went up in tumult, and me, still

moved, I asked them how happily they had found themselves
raised, and Victoire told me that she had given supper to two of
her friends, whom we had watched at her house and finally all that we
we had agreed together. I thanked them all and had them removed
ordering one of them to go to the
doctor. It seemed to me that I was allowed to fear the effect of _mon
mortal shock, and it was a sure way of giving lessons and
celebrity at this news.
He came indeed, complained to me a lot, and ordered nothing but rest.

I ordered Victoire to go early in the morning
chat in the neighborhood.
Everything was so successful that before noon, and as soon as it was day at
I, my devout neighbor was already at the bedside to know the
truth and details of this horrible adventure. I was forced to
to despair with her for an hour on the corruption of the century.
A moment later I received from the Marechale the note which I am enclosing here.
Finally, before five o'clock, I saw arrive, to my astonishment,
M ... [37]. He came, he told me, to apologize for what a
Officer of his body might have missed me so much. He did not
learned that at dinner at the Marechale's and had sent at once
Pr�van to go to prison. I asked thanks and he told me
refused. So I thought that, as an accomplice, I had to perform
on my side and keep at least some stiff stops. I had my
door and say that I was inconvenienced.
[37] The commander of the corps in which M. de Prevan served.
It is to my loneliness that you owe this long letter. I will write

one to Madame de Volanges which she will surely read publicly and where
you will see this story as it should be told.
I forgot to tell you that Belleroche is outraged and absolutely wants to

beat with Prevan. The poor boy! Fortunately, I will have time
to calm his head. In the meantime, I will rest mine, which is
tired of writing. Farewell, viscount.
_Of the castle of ..., this 25 September 17 **, in the evening._
LETTER LXXXVI
_The Mar�chale de ... at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
(_Billet included in the previous one._)
My God! what is it that I learn, my dear madame? is he

possible that this little Pr�van make such abominations, and again
vis-�-vis you! What are we exposed to! We will not be safe anymore
at home! In truth, these events console to be old. But
Of which I will never console myself, it is to have been partly
from what you have received such a monster at home. I promise you
although if what I have been told is true, he will not put his feet back
at home, this is the party that all honest people will take with him
if they do what they need.
I was told that you had been very bad and I am worried
of your health. Give me, I beg you, your dear news,
or have one of your wives give it to me if you can not
yourself. I only ask you a word to calm me down. I
would have rushed home this morning without my baths that my doctor does
I do not want to interrupt, and I have to go this afternoon to
Versailles, always for the business of my nephew.
Farewell, my dear Madame, count for life on my sincere friendship.
LETTER LXXXVII
_The Marquise de MERTEUIL to Madame de VOLANGES._
I write to you from my bed, my dear good friend. The most important event
unpleasant and the most impossible to predict made me sick of
seizure and sorrow. It is not sure that I have nothing to
blame me, but it is always so painful for an honest woman
and who keeps the modesty suitable to her sex, to fix on her
public attention, that I would give everyone to have been able to
avoid this unfortunate adventure, and that I do not know yet if I
will not take the party to go to the countryside to wait for it to be
forgotten. Here's what it is.
I met at the Marshal's house, a M. de Pr�van, whom you
surely know by name, and that I did not know otherwise.
But when I found him in this house, I was well
seems to believe in good company. He's pretty well done from his
nobody and seemed to me not to be lacking in spirit. Chance and boredom
game left me alone as a woman between him and the bishop of ..., while
that everyone was busy with lansquenet. We all talked
until dinner time. At table, a novelty that we talked about him
gave an opportunity to offer his box to the Marechale, who accepted, and he
It was agreed that I would have a place there. It was for last Monday, at
French. As the marechale came to sup with me at the end of the
show, I proposed to this gentleman to accompany him, and he came there.
Two days later, he paid me a visit which was spent in use
and without there being anything marked at all. The next day he came to me
to see the morning, which seemed to me a little loose; but I thought that
instead of making him feel by my way of receiving it, it was worth
better warn him by a courtesy that we were not yet so
intimately connected that he seemed to believe it. For that, I sent him,
the same day, a very dry and well-ceremonial invitation for a
supper that I gave the day before yesterday. I did not speak to him
four times in the evening, and he, on his side, retreated
as soon as his game is over. You will agree that until then nothing has
less the air of leading to an adventure; after the games, we made a
Macedonia, which led us to almost two hours, and finally I
in bed.
There was at least a mortal half-hour that my wives were

when I heard noise in my apartment. I opened my
curtain with a lot of fright and saw a man come in through the door
which leads to my boudoir. I uttered a scream and I recognized,
the brightness of my night-light, that M. de Pr�van, who, with an effrontery
inconceivable, tells me not to be alarmed; that he was going to enlighten me the
mystery of his conduct and that he begged me not to make any noise.
In speaking thus, he lit a candle; I was seized to the point that
I could not speak. His air easy and quiet petrified me, I
believe even more. But he did not say two words that I saw what
was this so-called mystery, and my only answer was, as you can
to believe, to hang me on my bell.
By an incredible happiness, all the people of the office had made sure
at one of my women's and were not lying down yet. My wife's
room that came to my home, heard me talking with a lot of
heat, was frightened and called all that world. You judge what
scandal! My people were furious: I saw the moment when my valet
de chambre killed Pr�van. I admit that for the moment, I was strong
easy to see me in strength; thinking about it today, I'd like to
better than my maid had come; it would have been enough and
I might have avoided that glare that afflicts me.
Instead, the uproar has awakened the neighbors, the people have
spoken, and it is since yesterday the news of all Paris. M. de Prevan is
in prison by order of the commander of his body, who had the honesty of
to go to my house, to apologize, he told me. This prison
will still increase the noise but I have never been able to get that
otherwise. The city and the court were written to my door, that
I closed to everyone. The few people I saw
said that they would do me justice and that public outrage was
fills against M. de Pr�van: certainly he deserves it, but that
do not take away the inconvenience of this adventure.
Moreover, this man surely has some friends, and his friends must be
bad guys: who knows, who can know what they will invent for me
harm? My God, a young woman is unhappy! she did not do anything
still, when she sheltered from scandal; she must
even imposes on slander.
Tell me, please, what you would have done, what you would do
in my place; well, everything you think. It's always up to you
I received the sweetest consolations and the wisest confessions;
it's also about you that I like best to receive it.
Farewell, my dear and good friend; you know the feelings that
attach myself to you for ever. I kiss your kind girl.
LETTER LXXXVIII
_C�CILE VOLANGES at Viscount VALMONT._
In spite of all the pleasure I have, sir, in receiving letters from

Mr. Chevalier Danceny, and though I desire no less than him that
we could see each other again, without being able to stop us,
I did not dare, however, to do what you propose to me. First,
it's too dangerous; this key that you want me to put to the
the place of the other is very much like the truth; and yet,
it does not leave to be any difference yet, and mom looks at
everything and perceives everything. Moreover, although we do not yet
served since we are here, it only takes one misfortune, and if we
I knew it, I would be lost forever. And then, it seems to me
also that it would be very bad; to do like that a double key is
well strong! It is true that it is you who would have the kindness of you in
load; but, despite that, if we knew it, I would wear none the less
blame and fault, since it would be for me that you would have it
made. Finally, I wanted to try twice to take it, certainly
it would be easy if it was something else, but I do not know
not why I always tremble and have never had
courage. So I think it's better to stay the way we are.
If you still have the kindness to be as complacent as ever,

you will always find a way to give me a letter. same
for the last, without the misfortune that wanted you to turn around
immediately at a certain moment, we would have been well off. I
meaning that you can not, like me, think only of that; but
I prefer to have more patience and not so much risk. I am
sure that Mr. Danceny would say like me, because whenever he wanted
something that was bothering me, he always agreed that
it was not.
I will give you, sir, at the same time as this letter, the
yours, that of Mr. Danceny and your key. I am not less
grateful for all your kindness, I beg you to tell me
Carry on. It is very true that I am very unhappy and that without
you would be even more so; but, after all, it's my
mother, we must take patience. And as long as Mr. Danceny loves me
always and that you do not abandon me, it will come perhaps a
happier time.
I have the honor to be, sir, with much gratitude, your

very humble and very obedient servant.
LETTER LXXXIX
_The Vicomte de VALMONT to the Chevalier DANCENY._
If your business does not always go as fast as you want,

my friend, it is not quite mine that you must take it.
I have here more than one obstacle to overcome. The vigilance and the severity of
Madame de Volanges are not the only ones; your young friend opposes me
also some. Either coldness or shyness, she does not
always what I advise him, and I think I know better
what to do.
I had found a simple, convenient and safe way to give him your
letters, and even to facilitate subsequent interviews that you
but I could not decide to use it. I am so much
more distressed than I can see anything else to bring you closer to her
and that, even for your correspondence, I am constantly afraid of
compromise all three. But you judge that I do not want to run this
risk it, neither expose you to one another.
I would be very sorry, however, that the lack of confidence of your

my girlfriend prevented me from being useful to you; maybe you would do well
to write to him. See what you want to do, it's up to you alone to
decide, because it's not enough to serve your friends, you still have to
serve in their own way. It could also be one more way of you
make sure of her feelings for you because the woman who keeps a will
she does not like it as much as she says.
It's not that I suspect your mistress of inconstancy, but she

is very young, she has a great fear of her mother who, as you know,
only to harm you, and maybe it would be dangerous to stay
for too long without taking care of you. Do not go though you
to worry at a certain point of what I am telling you there. I have in
the bottom is no reason for mistrust, it is only the solicitude of
friendship.
I do not write to you any longer, because I also have

some business for my account. I'm not as advanced as
you, but I love it so much; and that console and when I would not succeed
for me, if I manage to be useful to you, I will find that I have
used my time.
_In the castle of ..., this 26 september 17 ** ._

XC LETTER
I very much wish, sir, that this letter will not make you any
pain, or, if it should cause you, that at least it can be
softened by the one I feel in writing it to you. You must me
know enough now to be sure that my will is not
to afflict you; but you probably, you would not want either
to immerse myself in eternal despair. I implore you, on behalf of
the tender friendship I promised you, in the very name of our feelings
maybe more lively, but certainly not more sincere, than you have
for me, do not see us anymore; leave and until then, let's flee these
private interviews and too dangerous where, by an inconceivable
power, without ever being able to tell you what I want, I pass
my time listening to what I should not hear.
Yesterday, when you came to join me in the park, I had

for the sole purpose of telling you what I am writing to you today, and
however, what did I do? to take care of your love ... of your
love, which I never have to answer! Ah! of grace, stay away
of me.
Do not be afraid that my absence will ever alter my feelings for you;
how will I succeed in overcoming them, when I no longer have the courage
to fight them? You see it, I tell you everything; I fear less
to confess my weakness, to succumb to it; but this empire that I lost
on my feelings, I will preserve it on my actions; yes, I do it
preserve, I am resolved, even at the expense of my life.
Alas! the time is not far where I thought I was sure I had
never such fights to support. I congratulated myself, I am
maybe glorify too much. Heaven punished, cruelly punished this
pride; but full of mercy at the very moment he strikes us, he
warns me again before the fall, and I would be doubly guilty if
I continued to be cautious, already warned that I have no more
strength.
You told me a hundred times that you would not want a happiness bought
by my tears. Ah! let's not talk about happiness anymore, but let me
regain some peace.
By granting my request, what new rights will you not acquire

on my heart? And those based on virtue, I will not have to
defend. How much I will please myself in my gratitude! I will owe you
the sweetness of taste without remorse a delicious feeling. Now,
on the contrary, frightened by my feelings, my thoughts, I'm afraid
also to take care of you and me; your very idea frightens me:
when I can not run away from it, I fight it; I do not move him away, but I
the regrowth.
Is not it better for both to stop this state of trouble and

Anxiety? O you, whose soul is always sensitive, even in the midst of
mistakes, has remained friend of virtue, you will have regard to my situation
painful, you will not reject my prayer! A softer interest,
but no less tender, will succeed to these violent agitations; so,
breathing through your goodness, I will cherish my existence and I will say in
the joy of my heart: "This calm that I feel, I owe it to my friend."
By submitting to some light deprivations, that I do not impose on you

point, but that I ask you, will you believe so buy too much the
end of my torments? Ah! if to make you happy it only needed
to consent to be unhappy, you can believe me, I would not hesitate
not a moment ... But become guilty! ... no my friend, no, rather
to die a thousand times.
Already beset by shame on the eve of remorse, I dread and

the others and myself; I blush in the circle and shudder in
solitude: I have only one life of pain; I will not have
peace only by your consent. My most important resolutions
praiseworthy are not enough to reassure me; I trained this one as soon as
Yesterday and yet I spent that night in tears.
See your friend, the one you love, confused and supplicant, you
ask for rest and innocence. Ah God! without you ever she
been reduced to this humiliating request? I do not blame you for anything;
I feel too much for myself how difficult it is to resist a
imperious feeling. A complaint is not a whisper. Made by
generosity what I do from duty, and to all the feelings that
you have inspired me I will join that of eternal gratitude.
Farewell, goodbye, sir.
XCI LETTER
Dismayed by your letter, I still do not know, madam, how I can

answer to. No doubt, if you have to choose between your misfortune and the
mine, it is for me to sacrifice myself and I do not swing; but if
great interests deserve, it seems to me, to be discussed above all
and how to do it if we do not have to talk to each other anymore
nor to see us?
What! while the sweetest feelings unite us, a vain

terror will be enough to separate us perhaps without return! In vain
tender friendship, ardent love will claim their rights; their voices do not
will not be heard, and why? What is this urgent danger?
who threatens you? Ah! believe me, such fears and so slightly
conceived are already, it seems to me, rather powerful reasons for security.
Let me tell you, I find here the trace of impressions

unfavorable that you have been given on me. We do not tremble with
of the man who is esteemed; we do not take away the one we have judged
worthy of some friendship: it is the dangerous man who is dreaded and
leaking.
However, who was ever more respectful and submissive than me?
Already you see it, I observe myself in my language; I do not allow myself
the more these names so sweet, so dear to my heart, and that he never stops
give in secret. This is no longer the faithful and unhappy lover, receiving
the advice and consolation of a tender and sensitive friend is
the accused before his judge, the slave before his master. These new
titles no doubt impose new duties, I am committed to
fill all. Listen to me and if you condemn me, I subscribe and
I leave. I promise more: do you prefer this despotism that judges
without hearing? Do you feel the courage to be unfair? Order and
I obey again.
But this judgment, or that order, that I hear it from your mouth.
And why? will you tell me? Ah! that if you do
this question you know little love and my heart! Is it then
just to see you again? Eh! when you wear the
despair in my soul, maybe a consoling look will prevent it
to succumb to it. Finally, if I have to give up love, friendship,
for whom only I exist, at least you will see your work and your
pity will remain to me; this light favor anyway I would not deserve it
not, I submit, it seems to me, to pay enough to hope to
get.
What! you will get away from you! You therefore consent to
we became strangers to each other? what did I say? you want it,
and while you assure me that my absence will not alter your
feelings, you only press my departure to work more
easily to destroy them.
You are already talking about replacing them with gratitude. So the
feeling that you would get a stranger for the slightest service,
your enemy, even by ceasing to harm you, that's what you offer me!
and you want my heart to be happy with it! Ask yours:
if your lover, if your friend ever came to talk to you about their
gratitude, would you not say to them with indignation,
you are ungrateful!
I stop and claim your indulgence. Forgive the expression of a

pain that you give birth to, it will not hurt my submission
perfect. But I conjure you in my turn, on behalf of these feelings
so sweet that you claim yourself, do not refuse to hear me, and
at least pity for the mortal trouble you plunged me into
stay away from the moment. Goodbye, madam.
_De ..., this 7th of September 17 **, in the evening._
LETTER XCII
O my friend! your letter froze me with terror. Cecile ... O God! is he

possible? Cecile does not love me anymore. Yes, I see this dreadful truth
through the veil with which your friendship surrounds him. You wanted me
prepare to receive a mortal blow; I thank you for your care, but
can we impose on love? He runs to meet what interests him;
he does not learn his fate, he guesses it. I no longer doubt mine;
speak to me bluntly, you can and I beg you. Let me know
all; which gave rise to your suspicions, which confirmed them. The
every detail is precious. Above all, remember to remember his
lyrics. One word for the other can change a whole sentence; the same
sometimes has two meanings ... You may have been mistaken: alas! I
try to flatter me again. What did she tell you? does she make me
some reproach? at least does not defend herself from her wrongs? I will have
had to foresee this change by the difficulties that for some time she
find everything. Love does not know so many obstacles.
Which party should I take? what do you recommend? If I tried to

to see her? Is this impossible? The absence is so cruel, if
fatal ... and she refused a way to see me! You do not tell me
what he was; if there was indeed too much danger, she knows well
that I do not want her to risk herself too much. But also I know your
caution and, for my misfortune I can not believe it.
What will I do now? How to write to him? If I let him see

my suspicions, they may be sorrowing, and if they are unjust,
will I forgive myself for having afflicted him? If I hide it from them, it's the
to deceive and I do not know how to dissimulate with her.
Oh! if she could know what I am suffering, my pain would touch her.
I know her sensitive; she has an excellent heart and I have a thousand proofs
of his love. Too much timidity, some embarrassment, she is so young!
and his mother treats her so severely! I will write to him; I am
contiendrai; I will only ask him to rely entirely on
you. Even if she still refuses, she can not at least
to be angry with my prayer and perhaps she will consent.
You, my friend, I make you a thousand excuses and for her and for
me. I assure you that she feels the price of your care, that she
is grateful. It's not suspicious, it's shyness. Have some
indulgence is the most beautiful character of friendship. Yours is mine
very precious and I do not know how to recognize everything you
do it for me. Farewell, I'll write right away.
I feel all my fears come back; who would have told me that he never told me
would it cost to write to him? Alas! yesterday again it was my pleasure the most
soft.
Goodbye My friend; continue your care and pity me a lot.
LETTER XCIII
I can not hide how distressed I was when I learned

Valmont, the little confidence you continue to have in him. You
do not ignore that he is my friend, that he is the only person who can
bring us closer to each other; I thought these titles would be
sufficient to you; I see with difficulty that I am mistaken.
May I hope that at least you will inform me of your reasons? Born
Do you still find some difficulties that will prevent you?
I can not, however, guess without you, the mystery of this conduct.
I dare not suspect your love, no doubt you would not dare betray
mine. Ah! Cecilia! ...
Is it true that you refused a way to see me? a way

_simple, convenient and sure_ [38]? And that's how you love me! One if
short absence has changed your feelings. But why deceive me?
Why tell me that you still love me, that you love me more?
Your mother destroying your love, has she also destroyed
your candor? If at least she left you some pity, you
will not learn without difficulty the frightful torments you are causing me.
Ah! I would suffer less to die.
[38] Danceny does not know what this means, he repeats

only the expression of Valmont.
Tell me, is your heart closed to me without return? me you

completely forgotten? Thanks to your refusals, I do not know when you
hear my complaints, or when you answer them. The friendship of Valmont
had assured our correspondence; but you did not want to;
you found it painful; you preferred it to be rare. No I
no longer believe in love, in good faith. Eh! who can we believe if
Cecile cheated on me?
Answer me then: Is it true that you do not love me anymore? No, this
not possible; you are deceiving yourself; you slander your
heart. A fleeting fear, a moment of discouragement, but that
love is soon vanishing, is it not true, my Cecile? Ah!
no doubt and I am wrong to accuse you. That I would be happy to have
wrong! I would like to offer you a tender apology
moment of injustice by an eternity of love!
Cecile, Cecilia, have pity on me! Agree to see me, take it

all means! See what produces the absence of fears,
suspicions, perhaps coldness! One look, one word and
we will be happy. But what! can I still talk about happiness?
perhaps he is lost to me, lost forever. Tormented by the
fear, cruelly squeezed between unjust suspicions and the truth
more cruel, I can not stop at any thought; I do not keep
of existence only to suffer and to love you. Ah! Cecilia, you alone
have the right to make it dear to me, and I expect from the first word that
you will pronounce the return of happiness or the certainty of despair
eternal.
XCIV LETTER
I can not conceive of your letter, except the pain it causes me.
What did Mr. de Valmont tell you and what could have
to make you believe that I did not love you anymore? It might be
happy for me, for surely I would be less tormented, and
it is very hard when I love you as I do, to see that you
always believe that I am wrong, and that instead of comforting me, it is
from you that always come to me the sentences that make me the most
grief. You believe that I am deceiving you and that I am telling you what is
not! you have a pretty idea of ??me! When I'm lying
as you reproach me, what interest would I have? Surely, if
I did not love you anymore I would have only to say it and everybody
would lease; but unfortunately it is stronger than me, and it must be
for someone who does not have any obligation to me at all!
What have I done for you so much to anger? I did not dare
to take a key, because I feared that Mother would notice it,
and that it does not cause me any more sorrow and to you also because of
me, and then again, because it seems to me that it is badly done. But
it was only M. de Valmont who had spoken to me about it; I could not
whether you like it or not, since you did not know it. AT
present that I know you want, do I refuse to
to take this key? I'll take it tomorrow, and then we'll see
that you will have yet to say.
M. de Valmont may be your friend, I think I like you

as much as he can love you, to say the least, and yet it is
always him who is right and I always wrong. I assure you that
I am very angry. It does not matter to you because you know that I
calm me immediately; but now that I will have the key I can
see you when I want, and I assure you I will not want
when you act like that. I prefer to have grief that comes to me
from me if it came from you: see what you want to do.
If you wanted, we would love each other so much! and at least we would not
penalties than those we are made! I assure you that if
I was a mistress, you would never have to complain of me; but
if you do not believe me we will always be very unhappy, and
will not be my fault. I hope that soon we will be able to see us
and then we will have no more opportunities to grieve
present.
If I could have foreseen that, I would have taken this key right away; but
indeed, I thought I did well. Do not blame me, I'll tell you
Please. Do not be sad anymore and love me as much as I do
love; so I will be happy. Farewell, my dear friend.
XCV LETTER
_C�CILE VOLANGES at Viscount VALMONT._
I beg you, sir, to be kind enough to hand me over

that key which you gave me to put in the place of the other;
since everyone wants it, I have to agree too.
I do not know why you told Mr. Danceny that I did not like him
more; I do not think I ever gave you cause to think so, and
it hurt him and me too. I know you
are his friend, but that's not a reason to grieve him, nor me
no more. I would be very glad to tell you otherwise
first time you write to him and you're sure, because it's
in you that he has the most confidence, and me when I said one thing
and do not believe it, I do not know how to do it.
As for the key, you can rest easy; I have

remember everything that you recommend to me in your letter. However,
if you still have it and want to give it to me at the same time,
I promise you that I will be very careful. If it could be tomorrow
by going to dinner, I will give you the other key the day after tomorrow for lunch
and you will give it to me in the same way as the first. I would like
although it was not long, because there would be less time to
risk that mom did not notice.
And then, when once you get that key, you'll have the
goodness to use it also to take my letters, and like that,
Mr. Danceny will hear from me more often. It is true that this
will be much more convenient than now; but it's because it first
is too scared; I apologize and I hope you do not
continue to be as complaisant as in the past. I
will always be very grateful.
I have the honor to be, sir, your very humble and very obedient
servant.
[Illustration: PL. VII

_Mle Gerard inv._
_L. J. Masquelier sc._
LETTER XCVI]
LETTER XCVI
I bet that since your adventure, you wait every day

my compliments and my praise; I do not even doubt that you have
took a little mood from my long silence, but what do you want? I have
always thought that when there was only praise to give to
a woman, we could rest on her and take care of something else.
However, I thank you on my behalf and congratulate you for the
your. I want very well, to make you perfectly happy,
agree that for this time you have surpassed my expectation. After
that, see if I have at least partially filled yours.
It's not Madame de Tourvel I want to talk to you about, her walking too much
slow displeases you; you only like the things you do. The scenes
yarns bother you, and for me I have never tasted the pleasure that
I feel in these supposed slowness.
Yes, I like to see, to consider this prudent woman, engaged without
to be aware of this, in a path that no longer allows a return and
the rapid and dangerous slope attracts him in spite of herself, and the strength to
to follow. There, afraid of the danger she runs, she would like to stop
and can not hold back. His care and his address may well render
its not less great, but they must succeed one another. Sometimes
not daring to fix the danger, she closes her eyes and lets herself go,
surrender to my care. More often, a new fear that
revive his efforts; in her mortal fright she wants to try again to
go back; she exhausts her strength to climb painfully
a short space, and soon a magical power can replace it closer
from this danger, that she had vainly tried to flee. So no longer
than me for guidance and support, without thinking of reproaching me more
an inevitable fall, she begs me to delay her. The fervent
prayers, humble supplications, all that mortals in their
fear, offer to the Godhead, it is I who receive it from her, and you
want that, dying to her wishes and destroying myself the worship that she me
makes, I use to rush the power she invokes for the
support. Ah! let me at least have the time to observe these touching
fights between love and virtue.
What! that same show that makes you run to the theater with
eagerness, that you applaud furiously, do you believe it less
endearing in reality? These feelings of a pure and tender soul, which
fears the happiness she desires and does not stop defending herself, even
as she stops resisting, you listen to them with enthusiasm;
would they be worthless only to the one who gives birth to them? here
yet, here are the delicious enjoyments that this heavenly woman
offer me every day, and you reproach me for savoring the sweets!
Ah! the time will come only too early when, degraded by its fall, it does not
will be more to me than an ordinary woman.
But I forget, when I tell you about her, that I did not want you
talk about. I do not know what power attaches to it, brings me back without
ceases, even though I outrage him. Let's get rid of his dangerous idea; that I
to become myself again to treat a gay subject. This is your
pupil, now become mine, and I hope that here you go to me
recognize.
For a few days, better treated by my tender devotees, and by

therefore less occupied with her, I noticed that the small Volanges
was indeed very pretty, and that if there was foolishness to be
lovers like Danceny, maybe there was not less of me
not to seek from her a distraction that my loneliness me
made it necessary. It seemed just as important to me to pay for
I gave myself for her; I remember, moreover, that you told me
offered before Danceny had anything to claim, and I was
to claim some rights in a property he owned only
my refusal and by my abandonment. The pretty face of the little person, his
mouth so fresh, his childish air, his awkwardness even fortified these
wise resolutions; I resolved to act accordingly, and the success was
crowned the company.
Already you seek by what means I have supplanted the beloved lover; what
Seduction is appropriate for this age, this inexperience. Save yourself so much
I hardly used any of them. While handling with skill
the arms of your sex, you triumph over finesse; me, making
the man of imprescriptible rights, I subjugated by authority. Sure
to grab my prey, if I could reach her, I did not need any cunning
that to get close to it, and even the one I used did not deserve
not that name.
I took advantage of the first letter I received from Danceny for his
beautiful, and after having warned by the signal agreed between us,
instead of my address to return it to him, I put it to find none
the way; this impatience that I gave birth to, I pretended to
to share, and after causing harm, I indicated the remedy.
The young person lives in a room with a door overlooking the

corridor; but, of course, the mother had taken the key. he
it was only a matter of mastering it. Nothing easier in
execution; I only asked to have two hours and I
replied to have a similar one. So correspondences, interviews,
nocturnal rendezvous, everything became convenient and sure; however, the
Would you believe? the shy child became afraid and refused. Another one
would be sorry; me, I saw only the occasion of a pleasure more
spicy. I wrote to Danceny to complain about this refusal, and I did so
although our giddy did not cease until he had obtained, even required of
her fearful mistress, that she grant my request and
at my discretion.
I was glad, I admit, to have changed roles, and that

the young man did for me what he expected me to do for him.
This idea doubled in my eyes, the price of adventure; also, as soon as
I had the precious key, I hurried to make use of it: it was the
last night.
After making sure everything was quiet in the castle, armed

from my dull lantern and in the toilet that the hour and
that the circumstance required, I made my first visit to your
pupil. I had everything prepared (and that by itself), for
to be able to enter without noise. She was in her first sleep and in
that of his age, so that I reached his bed without
that she woke up. I was first tempted to go further
and to try to pass for a dream; but, fearing the effect of
surprise and the noise it brings, I preferred to wake up with
caution the pretty sleeper, and indeed managed to prevent the
cry that I dreaded.
After calming his first fears, as I had not come

there to talk, I risked some liberties. No doubt we do not
had not learned well in his convent how many different perils is
exposed the timid innocence and all she has to keep for not being
not surprised; because, with all his attention, all his strength to
defend from a kiss, which was just a fake attack, everything else
was defenseless; the way to not take advantage of it! So I changed
my walk, and on the spot I took post. Here we thought to be
lost both: the little girl, all frightened, wanted to shout
sincerity; Fortunately, his voice died out in tears. She
had also thrown at the cord of his bell, but my address held back
his arm in time.
"What do you want to do (I told him then), get lost for

always? Come and what does it matter to me? Who will you persuade me
Do not be here by your confession? What other than you will have provided me with
way to introduce me? And this key that I hold from you, that I
have been able to have only by you, will you instruct you to indicate the use of
it?
This short harangue did not calm the pain or anger, but she
brought the submission. I do not know if I had the tone of eloquence,
at least it is true that I did not have the gesture. A busy hand
for strength, the other for love, which speaker could claim
to grace in such a situation? If you paint it well, you
agree that at least she was favorable to the attack; but I
hear nothing and, as you say, the simplest woman,
a boarder, leads me like a child.
The latter, while feeling sorry, felt that it was necessary to take a
and enter composition. Prayers finding me inexorable, he has
had to go to the offers. You think I sold this job well
important; no, I promised everything for a kiss. It is true that
kiss taken, I did not keep my promise; but I had good
reasons. Had we agreed that it would be taken or given? By force of
bargain, we agreed for a second, and that one there
was said he would be received. So having guided the shy arms around
of my body, and pressing her to one of mine more lovingly, the
sweet kiss has been received indeed; but well, but perfectly received:
so much so that Love could not have done better.
So much good faith deserved reward, so I immediately granted

request. The hand has withdrawn, but I do not know by what chance I am
I found myself in his place. You suppose me there very eagerly,
active, is not it true? Not at all. I took a liking to
Slowness, I tell you. Once sure to arrive, why so much press the
trip?
Seriously, I was glad to see once the power of

the occasion, and I found her here without any foreign aid. She
yet had to fight love, and love supported by modesty or
shame, and especially strengthened by the mood I gave and whose
we had taken a lot. The opportunity was alone, but she was there,
always offered, always present, and love was absent.
To ensure my observations, I had the mischief to use force

that what we could fight. Only if my charming enemy
abusing my facility, was ready to escape, I contained it
by the same fear of which I had already experienced the happy effects.
Well! without any other care, the tender lover, forgetting his oaths
yielded first, and finally consented; not only after this first moment
reproaches and tears have not returned in concert; I do not know
if they were true or fake, but, as it always happens, they have
stopped as soon as I took care of giving it a new place. In end of
weakness in reproach and reproach in weakness we did not
separated than satisfied one from the other and also agree to the
appointment tonight.
I did not go home until daybreak and I was already

fatigue and sleep; however, I sacrificed both
desire to find me this morning at lunch: I love passion, the mines
next day. You have no idea of ??it. It was an embarrassment
in the maintenance! a difficulty in walking! eyes always
lowered and so big, and so beaten! This round figure was so
Extended! Nothing was so pleasant. And for the first time, his mother
alarmed by this extreme change, showed him an interest
tender, and the president too who was hurrying around her! Oh! for
that care is only lent; a day will come when we will be able to
to return him, and that day is not far away. Goodbye, my beautiful friend.
_Of the castle, this 1st October 17 ** ._
LETTER XCVII
Ah! my God, madame, how unhappy I am! Who will comfort me in

my sadness? Who will advise me in the embarrassment where I am? This M.
Valmont ... and Danceny! no, Danceny's idea makes me desperate ...
How to tell you? How do you say? ... I do not know how to do it.
However my heart is full ... I have to talk to someone, and
you are the only one to whom I can, to whom I dare to confide. You have
so much goodness for me! But do not have one right now, I do not
I am not worthy; what will I say to you? I do not desire it. Everybody
here showed interest to me today ... they all rose
my sorrow. I felt so much that I did not deserve it! Scold me at
opposite; scold me, because I'm very guilty, but after
save me; if you do not have the kindness to advise me, I will die of
grief.
So learn ... my hand shakes, as you see I can almost

not to write, I feel my face all on fire ... Ah! it's red
shame. Well! I will suffer it; it will be the first punishment of
my fault. Yes, I will tell you everything.
So you will know that M. de Valmont, who has handed me the letters so far
of M. Danceny, suddenly found that it was too difficult; he
wanted to have a key to my room. I can assure you that I
did not want; but he was writing to Danceny, and Danceny wanted it
as well; and me, it hurts me so much when I refuse him some
something, especially since my absence that makes him so unhappy, that I
finally agree to it. I did not foresee the misfortune that would happen.
Yesterday, Mr. de Valmont used this key to come into my

room as I was asleep; I expected it so little that he made me
well scared when I wake up, but as he told me right away I
I recognized him and I did not shout; and then the idea came to me first
that he may have brought me a letter from Danceny. It was not
very far away. A little while later, he wanted to kiss me and, during
that I defended myself as it is natural, he did so well, that I
would not have wanted for anything in the world ... but wanted him a
fuck before. It was necessary, because how to do? especially as
I tried to call, but besides I could not, he knew well
tell me that if he came someone he would know well reject the whole
fault on me; and, indeed, it was easy because of this key.
Then he did not withdraw more. He wanted a second one, and
I did not know what was going on, but he troubled me;
and after, it was worse than before. Oh! for example, it's good
badly that. Finally after ..., you will excuse me from saying the rest; but
I am as unhappy as one can be.
What I blame you the most and yet I must

speak is that I am afraid of not having defended myself as much as I
could. I do not know how it was done; surely I do not like
M. de Valmont, on the contrary, and there were times when I was
as if I loved him ... You think it did not prevent me from
always tell him no; but I felt that I was not doing
as I said; and that was as in spite of me; and then also I was
well troubled! If it's still difficult to defend yourself,
you must be well accustomed to it! It is true that Mr. de Valmont has
ways of saying we do not know how to respond to him.
Finally, would you believe that when he left, I was like
angry, and that I had the weakness to consent that he returned tonight:
it saddens me more than anything else.
Oh! in spite of that, I promise you that I will prevent him from coming. he
was not released, that I felt that I had been wrong with him
to promise. Also, I cried the rest of the time. It is especially
Danceny who was bothering me! whenever I thought about
my cries redoubled that I was suffocated, and I thought about it
always ..., and now again, you see the effect, that's my
paper soaked. No, I will never console myself, if only
Because of him ... Well, I could not take it anymore, and yet I could not
to sleep a minute. And this morning when I got up when I looked at myself
in the mirror, I was scared so much I was changed.
Mom noticed it as soon as she saw me and she asked me what

I had. I started crying right away. I thought
that she was going to scold me, and maybe that would have made me less trouble,
but in the contrary. She spoke to me gently. I did not deserve it
hardly. She told me not to grieve me like that. She did not know
not the subject of my affliction. That I was getting sick! There are
moments when I would like to be dead. I could not keep it. I am
thrown into his arms sobbing and saying: "Ah! Mom, your
girl is very unhappy! "Mom could not help crying
little, and all this has only increased my sorrow; luckily she
did not ask me why I was so unhappy because I would not have known
what to say to him.
I beg you, madam, write to me as soon as you can and

tell me what I have to do because I do not have the courage to think about
nothing and I do not know how to grieve me. You will want to contact me
letter by Mr. de Valmont, but, please, if you write to him in
At the same time, do not tell him I told you nothing.
I have the honor to be, Madam, always with great friendship, your
very humble and very obedient servant ...
I do not dare to sign this letter.
_Of the castle of ..., this 1st October 17 ** ._
LETTER XCVIII
_Madame de VOLANGES at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
Few days ago, my dear friend, it was you who told me

ask for consolation and advice; today it's my turn
and I make for you the same request that you made for me.
I'm really saddened and I'm afraid I did not take the
better ways to avoid the sorrows I feel.
It's my daughter who's causing my concern. Since I left, I had it

good view always sad and sad, but I expected and I had
armed my heart with a severity which I judged necessary. I hoped
that absence, distractions would soon destroy a love that I
looked rather like a mistake of childhood than as a real
passion. However, far from having gained anything since my stay here, I
I realize that this child is engaged more and more in a melancholy
dangerous and I fear, all good, that his health does not alter.
Especially since a few days, it changes visibly. Yesterday,
especially, she hit me, and everyone here was really alarmed.
What proves to me still how much it is affected is that

I see her ready to overcome the shyness she has always had with
me. Yesterday morning, on the simple request that I made her if she was
sick, she rushed into my arms telling me she was
very unhappy; and she wept with sobs. I can not give you back
the trouble she gave me; tears came to my eyes all of
and I only had time to turn away to prevent her
do not see me. Fortunately, I had the caution to not do him any
question and she did not dare to tell me more: but it is not
less clear that it is this unfortunate passion that torments her.
What course of action, if it lasts? will I make the misfortune of my

girl? will I turn against it the most valuable qualities of
soul, sensitivity and constancy? is that why I am
his mother? and when I would stifle that natural feeling that makes us
to want the happiness of our children; when I would look like a
weakness what I believe, on the contrary, the first, the most sacred
our homework if I force his choice, will I not have to answer for
fatal consequences that there may be? What use to make of authority
only to place his daughter between crime and misfortune!
My friend, I will not imitate what I have blamed so often. I could without
doubt, try to make a choice for my daughter; I did not do that
that help from my experience: it was not a right that I exercised,
I fulfilled a duty. I would betray one, on the contrary, by
of her in defiance of a penchant that I did not know how to prevent from being born
and of which neither she nor I can know neither the extent nor the
duration. No, I will not suffer her to marry this one to love
this one, and I would rather compromise my authority than his virtue.
So I think I'll take the wisest course, remove

the word I gave to M. de Gercourt. You have just seen them
reasons; they seem to me to have to prevail over my promises. I
say more: in the state where things are, fulfill my commitment, this
would really violate it. Because, finally, if I owe my daughter
not give his secret to M. de Gercourt, I owe him at least
do not abuse ignorance where I leave it and do for him everything
what I think he would do himself, if he were educated. Will I, at
contrary, betray him indignantly when he gives himself to my faith, and, while
that he honors me by choosing me for his second mother, deceive him into
the choice he wants to make of the mother of his children? These reflections if
true and to which I can not refuse myself, alarm me more than I
then tell you.
To the misfortunes they make me dread, I compare my daughter, happy

with the husband whom his heart has chosen, knowing his duties only by
the sweetness she finds in filling them; my son-in-law also satisfied
and congratulating himself every day of his choice; each of them not finding
of happiness than in the happiness of the other, and that of both
bringing together to increase mine. The hope of a future so sweet must he
to be sacrificed to vain considerations? And which ones are
hold? only views of interest. What benefit will it be
so for my daughter to be born rich, if she is no less
slave of fortune?
I agree that M. de Gercourt is a better party, perhaps,

that I should not hope for my daughter; I admit that I have
was extremely flattered by the choice he made of her. But finally,
Danceny is as good a house as he is; he does not give in to anything
for personal qualities; he has on M. de Gercourt the advantage
to love and to be loved: he is not rich in the truth; but my daughter
Is not it enough for both of them? Ah! why take her
so sweet satisfaction to enrich what she loves!
These marriages are calculated instead of sorted, which we call

conveniences and where everything is appropriate in fact, outside the tastes and
characters, are they not the most fruitful source of these splinters
scandalous that become everyday more frequent? I love
better to differ: at least I'll have time to study my daughter that I
do not know. I feel good courage to cause him grief
passenger if it is to enjoy a more solid happiness: but
risk to deliver it to an eternal despair, that is not in my
heart.
Here, my dear friend, the ideas that torment me and on what I

ask for your advice. These harsh objects contrast a lot with
your pleasant gaiety, and hardly appear of your age; but your
reason has preceded it so much! Your friendship will help your prudence;
and I do not fear that one or the other will refuse to solicit
kindergarten who implores them.
Farewell, my charming friend; never doubt the sincerity of my

feelings.
_Of the castle of ..., this 2 October, 17 ** ._
[Illustration: PL. VIII

_Mle Gerard inv._
_P. Baquoy sc._
XCIX LETTER]
XCIX LETTER
Still little events, my beautiful friend; but scenes only,

point of action. So, arm yourself with patience; take it
a lot, because while my president is walking so small, your
the pupil recedes, and it is worse still. Well, I have the right spirit
to amuse myself with these miseries. I'm really getting used to
well to my stay here and I can say that in the sad castle of
my old aunt, I did not experience a moment of boredom. By the way, there
have I not enjoyments, privations, hope, uncertainty? What did you
more on a bigger theater? spectators? Hey! leave
do, they will not miss. If they do not see me at work,
I will show them my work done; they will only have to admire
and applaud. Yes, they will applaud; because I can finally predict with
certainty the moment of the fall of my austere devout. I attended this
evening in the agony of virtue. Sweet weakness will prevail in its place.
I do not set the time later than at our first interview: but
already I hear you screaming for pride. Announce your victory, boast
in advance! Hey! there, calm down! To prove you my modesty, I
I'll start with the story of my defeat.
In truth, your pupil is a very ridiculous little person! It is

a child who should be treated as such, and to whom
thanks to putting it only in penance! Would you believe that after this
that happened the day before yesterday between her and me, after the friendly way
we passed away yesterday morning; when I wanted to
returning at night, as she had agreed, I found her door
closed within? What do you think? we sometimes feel these
childishness there the day before, but the next day! is not it
pleasant?
I did not laugh at first; I had never felt so much

the empire of my character. Surely, I went to this meeting without
pleasure and only by process. My bed, which I needed,
seemed to me for the moment, preferable to that of any other and I
I had only left it with regret. However, I did not have
found an obstacle that I burned to cross; I was humiliated,
especially since a child had played me. I withdrew
mood; and in the project of no longer meddling with this foolish child, nor
of his business, I had written to him at once, a note that I
I was going to give it to you today and I was evaluating it at its fair price.
But, as they say, night brings counsel; I found this morning that,
not having the choice of distractions here, we had to keep this one:
so I removed the stern ticket. Since I thought about it, I
do not come back to having had the idea to finish an adventure before having
in hand enough to lose heroin. Where does one lead us yet?
movement! Happy, my beautiful friend, who knows how to accustom you
never give in! Finally, I deferred my revenge; I did this
sacrifice to your views on Gercourt.
Now that I'm not angry anymore, I can only see

ridiculous in the conduct of your ward. Indeed, I would like
know what she hopes to win there! for me I get lost: if this
is only to defend itself, it must be agreed that it is a little
later. It will be necessary that one day she tell me the word of this enigma!
I really want to know it. It may only be that it is
was tired? frankly it could be; because without doubt she
still ignore that the arrows of love, like the Achilles spear,
carry with them the remedy for the wounds they make. But no,
to his little grimace of all day, I bet he enters
in there of repentance ... there ... something ... like virtue ...
Virtue! ... it is her that should be? Ah!
that she leave it to the woman truly born for her, the only one
who knows how to embellish her, who would make her love! ... Pardon, my beautiful
friend,
but it was this very evening that Madame de Tourvel and myself had
the scene I have to report to you and I still keep
some emotion. I need to do violence to distract myself from
the impression she made me; it's even to help me that I
I am writing to you. We must forgive something to this first
moment.
We have already agreed a few days ago, Mme de Tourvel

and me about our feelings; we are only arguing about words.
It was always, in truth, his friendship which answered to my
love_: but this convention language did not change the background of
things, and when we would have stayed that way I might have been
less quickly, but not less surely. Already, he was no longer
It's a question of moving away, as she wanted at first; and for
interviews that we have daily, if I put my care to him in
to offer the opportunity, she puts hers to seize it.
As is usually the walk our little ones are going

rendezvous, the awful weather he's done all today does not
left nothing to be hoped for: I was really annoyed with it; I do not
I did not foresee how much I had to win at this setback.
Unable to walk around, we started to play while leaving the table; and
as I play little and I am no longer needed, I took this time
to go up to my house, without any other project than to wait, pretty much,
the end of the game.
I returned to join the circle when I found the charming woman

who entered his apartment, and who, whether imprudent or weak,
said to me in his sweet voice, "Where are you going? There is no one at
living room". I did not need more, as you can believe,
to try to enter her home; I found less resistance
that I did not expect. It is true that I had the precaution of
start the conversation at the door and start indifferent;
but hardly have we been established that I brought back the true and
that I have spoken of my love to my friend. His first answer, though
simple, seemed to me rather expressive: "Oh! hold, she told me, do not
do not talk about it here "; and she was shaking. The poor woman! she is
see death.
Yet she was wrong to fear. For some time, assured

success one day or another and seeing her use so much strength in
unnecessary fighting, I had resolved to spare mine and wait
without effort she was weary. You feel that here he
it takes a complete triumph and I do not want anything to do on occasion.
It was even according to this formed plan and to be urgent, without
to engage myself too much, that I returned to this word of love so obstinately
refuse; sure that I was believed enough ardor, I tried a tone more
tender. This refusal did not annoy me any more, it afflicted me; my sensitive
friend
did not she owe me some consolations?
While consoling me, one hand remained in mine; the pretty

body was leaning on my arm and we were extremely close together.
You've probably noticed how much in this situation, as
the defense softens, the demands and the refusals take place more closely;
how the head turns away and the glances go down, while
speeches always spoken in a weak voice, become rare
and interspersed. These precious symptoms announce, in a non
equivocal, the consent of the soul; but rarely has he yet passed
to the senses; I even think it's always dangerous to try
then some enterprise too marked; because this state of abandonment
never being without a very sweet pleasure, we can not force
go out without causing a mood that unfailingly turns in favor of
defense.
But in this case, prudence was all the more necessary to me

that I had especially to dread the fear that this forgetfulness of itself
would not fail to talk to my tender dreamer. Also, this admission that I
I asked, I did not even demand that it be pronounced; a look could
suffice; only one look and I was happy.
My beautiful friend, the beautiful eyes are indeed raised on me, the mouth
Celestial even pronounced, "Well! yes, I ... "But, suddenly, the
look went out, the voice ran out and this adorable woman is
fell into my arms. I had barely had time to receive it that,
disengaging with convulsive force, misplaced sight and hands
raised to heaven ... "God ... oh my God, save me," she said.
exclaimed; and on the spot, quicker than lightning, she was on her knees
ten steps from me. I heard him ready to suffocate. I advanced
to help her; but she taking my hands she bathed in
crying, sometimes even kissing my knees: "Yes, it will be you,
she said, it will be you who will save me! You do not want my death,
let me; save me, leave me; in the name of God, leave me! "And
these little followed speeches barely escaped through sobs
redoubled. However she held me with a force that would not have me
allowed to go away; so gathering mine, I raised it
in my arms. At the same instant the tears stopped; she did not speak
more: all its limbs stiffened and violent convulsions
succeeded this storm.
I was, I admit, deeply moved, and I think I would have consented to

his request when circumstances would not have forced me to do so. What he
there is truth is that after giving him some help, I have
left as she prayed to me, and I congratulate myself. Already I have
almost received the prize.
I was expecting that the day of my first statement she did not
would not show the evening. But around eight o'clock she is
went down to the living room and only announced to the circle that she had
found very inconvenienced. His face was down, his voice weak and his
compound maintenance; but his eyes were soft and often he fixed
on me. His refusal to play even forced me to take his place,
she took hers by my side. During supper she stayed
alone in the living room. When we came back, I thought I saw
that she had cried; to clarify it, I told him that he
It seemed as if she had still felt her discomfort; what
she obligingly replied: "This evil is not going away so quickly that
is coming! "Finally, when we retired, I gave him my hand and
door of her apartment she pressed mine tightly. It is true
that this movement seemed to me to have something involuntary: but so
better; it is one more proof of my empire.
I'll bet she's delighted to be here now: every

expenses are made; it only remains to enjoy. Maybe, while
I write to you, take care of this sweet idea already! and when
even she would, on the contrary, take care of a new defense project,
do we not know what becomes of all these projects? I
ask you, can this go further than our next
interview? I'm expecting, for example, that there will be some ways
to grant it; but OK! the first step taken, these austere prudes
do they know how to stop? Their love is a real explosion; the
resistance gives it more strength. My fierce devotee would run after
if I stopped running after her.
Finally, my beautiful friend, I will arrive at your place for you

Summon your word. You have not forgotten, no doubt, what
you promised me after success; this infidelity to your knight?
are you ready? for me I want it as if we were not
never known. Besides, you may know a reason for
to desire it more:
I am just and not gallant [39].
[39] Voltaire, comedy by _Nanine_.
So it will be the first unfaithfulness that I will make to my grave conquest;

and I promise you to take advantage of the first excuse to leave me
twenty-four hours from her. It will be his punishment to have me
kept so far away from you. Do you know that there are more than two
month that this adventure occupies me? yes, two months and three days; he is
true that I count tomorrow, since it will not really be consumed
then. It reminds me that Miss de B *** resisted the three months
complete. I am glad to see that frank coquetry has more
of defense than austere virtue.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; you must leave because it is very late. This
letter led me further than I expected; but as I send
tomorrow morning in Paris, I wanted to take the opportunity to share with you
a day earlier the joy of your friend.
_Of the castle of ..., this 2 October 17 **, in the evening._
LETTER C
My friend, I am played, betrayed, lost; I am in despair: Mme de

Tourvel is gone. She left and I did not know! and I was not
not there to oppose his departure, to reproach him for his unworthy
treason! Ah! do not think that I would let her go; she would be
remained; yes, she would have stayed, if I had to use violence. But
what! in my credulous security, I slept quietly; I was sleeping
and the lightning fell on me. No, I can not imagine anything about this departure:
we must give up knowing women.
When I remember yesterday! what did I say? the evening itself! This
look so sweet, that voice so tender! and that tight hand! and during
this time she was planning to flee me! O women, women! pity you
so if you are wrong! But yes, any perfidy we use is a
theft you are made.
What a pleasure I will have to avenge myself! I will find her this woman
perfidious; I will resume my empire over her. If love was enough for me
to find the means, what will it not be, helped by vengeance? I
will see her again at my knees, trembling and bathed in tears,
shouting thanks for his misleading voice; and I will be pitiless.
What is she doing now? what does she think? Maybe she is applauding
for having deceived me and, faithful to the tastes of his sex, this pleasure him
seems the sweetest. What was not so much vaunted virtue, the spirit of
cunning produced it effortlessly. Foolish! I dreaded his wisdom: it was
his bad faith that I had to fear.
And to be obliged to devour my resentment! do not dare to show that

tender pain when my heart is full of rage! see me reduced to
to beg a rebellious woman who has escaped my empire!
Should I be so humiliated? And by whom? by a woman
shy and never practiced fighting. What's the use of
to be established in his heart, to have lit him with all the fires of
love, to have carried to delirium the confusion of its senses, if,
quiet in her retirement, she can now take pride in her
more than I escaped from my victories? And I would suffer? My friend,
You do not believe it; you do not have this humiliating idea of ??me!
But what fatality attaches me to this woman? Another hundred

do not they want my care? will they not be quick to answer it?
Even if none of them would be worth it, the attraction of the variety, the
charm of new conquests, the brilliance of their numbers do they offer
not sweet enough pleasures? Why chase after the one who flees us
and neglect those who come forward? Ah! why? ... I do not know, but
I feel it strongly.
It is no longer for me to be happy, to rest only by the possession of

this woman whom I hate and whom I love with equal fury. I do not
to endure my fate only from the moment I dispose of his. So,
quiet and satisfied, I will see it in turn, delivered to thunderstorms that
I feel at this moment, I will excite a thousand more. Hope and
fear, mistrust and security, all the ills invented by the
hate, all the goods granted by love, I want them to fill
his heart, let them succeed to my will. This time will come ... But
what more work! how close I was yesterday! and that today I
see me away! How to get closer? I dare not try
approach; I feel that to take a party it would be necessary to be more
calm, and my blood boils in my veins.
What redoubles my torment is the coolness with which everyone

answer my questions about this event, about its cause, about everything
what it offers extraordinary ... Nobody knows anything, nobody
Desires to know nothing; we would hardly have talked about it if I had consented
to speak of something else. Mme de Rosemonde where I ran this
morning when I heard this news, answered me with the cold of
her age that it was the natural continuation of the indisposition that Mme de
Tourvel had had yesterday, that she had feared an illness and that she
had preferred to be at home: she finds it very simple; she
would have done so much, she told me; as if there could be some
something common between them both! between her, who has nothing left but to die,
and the other, which is the charm and torment of my life!
Madame de Volanges, whom I had first suspected of being an accomplice,

seems affected than not having been consulted on this step. I
I am very glad I admit that she has not had the pleasure of harming me.
That proves to me again that she did not have as much as I feared, the
this woman's confidence; it is always an enemy of less. As
she would congratulate herself if she knew that it was me who fled! as
she would have swelled with pride if it had been by her counsels! as
its importance would have redoubled! My God! I hate her! Oh! I
will reconnect with his daughter; I want to work it to my fancy; as well
Well, I think I'll stay here for a while; at least the little
Thoughts that I have been able to make affect me to this party.
Do you not believe that, after such a marked step, my

ungrateful must dread my presence? So if the idea came to him that I
could follow her, she will not fail to close my door, and I
do not want to accustom him to this means any more than to suffer humiliation.
I prefer to tell him, on the contrary, that I stay here; i him
will even make representations for it to come back, and when it will be
well convinced of my absence, I will arrive at her house: we will see
how will she support this adventure? But it must be deferred for
to increase its effect, and I do not know whether I will have the patience;
I had twenty times in the day, mouth open to ask for my
horses. However, I will take on myself; I promise to receive your
answer here; I only ask you, my dear friend, not to tell me
to keep waiting.
What would annoy me the most would be to not know what is

pass, but my hunter who is in Paris, has rights to some access
to the maid: he can serve me. I send to him
an instruction and money. I beg you to find good that I
join this letter and also take care of them
send by one of your people, with orders to give it to himself.
I take this precaution because the funny is used to having no
never received the letters I write him when they prescribe him
something that bothers him and that, for the moment, it does not seem to me
as enamored of his conquest as I would like him to be.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; if any happy idea comes to you, whatever

to hasten my march, let me know. I experienced more than one
how much your friendship could be useful; I still feel it in this
moment, for I feel calmer since I write to you; at least,
I speak to someone who hears me and not to the automatons near whom I
has been vegetating since this morning. In truth, the more I go and the more I am
tempted
to believe that there are only you and me in the world who were worth
thing.
_Of the castle of ..., this 3 October 17 ** ._
LETTER CI
_The Vicomte de VALMONT in AZOLAN, his hunter._
You have to be a fool, you who left here

morning, to have not known that Mme de Tourvel was leaving too, or, if
you knew it, not to have come to warn me. What is it for?
that you spend my money getting drunk with the valets? that the
time you should use to serve me you spend it doing
the pleasant with the maids, if I'm not better
informed of what is happening? Yet that's your negligence! But I
warn you that if there is one in this case,
it will be the last you will have at my service.
You must inform me of everything that happens at Mme.

Tourvel: of his health; if she sleeps; if she is sad or gay; if she
often goes out and with whom she goes; if she gets home from home and
who comes there; what she spends her time if she has mood with
his wives, especially with her whom she brought here; this
that she does when she is alone; if, when she reads, she reads
next or if she interrupts her reading to dream; likewise when she
written. Consider also to make the friend of the one who wears his letters
at the post office. Give yourself often to him to make this commission to
his place, and when he will accept, only leave those who
will seem indifferent and send me the others, especially those to
Madame de Volanges, if you meet them.
Arrange to be still some time the lover happy to

your Julie. If she has another one, as you thought, do it
agree to share and do not go to ridicule
delicacy: you will be in the case of many others who are better
that you. If, however, your second made himself too uncomfortable, if
For example, you noticed that he occupied Julie too much
the day and that it was less often with his mistress,
dismiss him by some means or seek him quarrel; do not fear
not the suites, I will support you. Especially do not leave this
House. It is through diligence that we see everything and see well. Yes
even chance made someone people, come to
replace him as no longer mine. Say, in this case, that you
have left me to seek a quieter and more settled house.
Finally, try to make yourself accepted. I will not leave you with less
my service during this time; it will be like the Duchess of *** and,
thereafter Mme de Tourvel will reward you for the same.
If you had enough address and zeal, this instruction should

suffice; but, to make up for both, I send you
money. The attached note authorizes you, as you will see, to
to touch twenty-five louis at my business, because I do not doubt
that you are penniless. You will use this amount, which
will be necessary to decide Julie to establish a correspondence with
me. The rest will be used to make people drink. Take care as much as
this may be, whether at the Swiss house, so that he
like to see you coming here. But do not forget that these are not your
pleasures that I want to pay, but your services.
Accustom Julie to observe everything and bring everything back, even what
would appear meticulous. It is better that she write ten useless sentences
than to omit an interesting one, and often what seems indifferent
is not. As I must be able to be instructed on the spot
if something happened that seemed worthy of attention, immediately
this letter received, you will send Philip on the commission horse,
settle at *** [40]; he will remain there until further notice; it will be a
relay when needed. For current mail correspondence
suffice.
[40] Village halfway from Paris to the castle of Madame de Rosemonde.
Take care to lose this letter. Review it every day, both

to make sure you do not forget anything except to make sure you have it
again. Finally do everything you need to do when you are honored with my
trust. You know that if I'm happy with you, you'll be
me.
LETTER CII
_The President of TOURVEL to Madame de ROSEMONDE._
You will be astonished, madam, on hearing that I am leaving from your home
as hurriedly. This approach will seem extraordinary,
but that your surprise will redouble again when you know
the reasons! Perhaps you will find that by entrusting them I do not
do not respect enough the tranquility necessary for your age, that I
even strays me from the feelings of veneration that are due to so many
securities? Ah! madam, sorry; but my heart is oppressed, he needs
to pour out her pain in the breast of a friend also sweet and
cautious: what else could you choose? Look at me as
your child. Have for me maternal goodness; I implore them. I
may have some rights in my feelings for you.
Where is the time when, entirely to these laudable feelings, I do not

did not know those who, bearing in mind the mortal trouble that
I feel, take away the strength to fight them at the same time as they
impose duty? Ah! this fatal journey has lost me ...
What shall I say to you at last? I like, yes, I love it madly. Alas! this word
that I write for the first time; this word so often asked without being
got, I would pay with my life the sweetness of being able only once
to make it heard by the person who inspires it, yet it must be refused
non-stop! He will doubt my feelings; he'll think he's got to
complain. I am very unhappy! What is it so easy for him
to read in my heart that to reign there? Yes, I would suffer less if he
knew that I am suffering; but you, to whom I say, you will not have
still a weak idea.
In a few moments, I will run away and afflict her. While he is

will believe still near me, I will be already far from him; When
I used to see him every day, I'll be in places where
he never came, where I must not allow him to come. Already
all my preparations are made; everything is there under my eyes; I can not
to rest them on nothing which announces to me this cruel departure. Everything is
ready,
except me! ... and the more my heart refuses, the more it proves me the
need to submit to me.
I will submit to it no doubt, it is better to die than to live

guilty. Already, I feel it, I am only too much; I only saved
my wisdom, virtue has vanished. Must I admit it to you, which
I still owe it to his generosity. Inebriated with the pleasure of seeing him,
to hear it, the sweetness of feeling it near me, happiness
greater to be able to do his, I was without power and without
strength; I hardly had any left to fight, I did not have any more to
resist; I shuddered at my danger, unable to flee it. Well!
he saw my pain and he took pity on me. How would I cherish it?
not? I owe him more than life.
Ah! if I stayed with him I only had to tremble for her,

do not think that I ever consent to go away. What is she to me
without him, would I not be too happy to lose her? Sentenced to
to make eternal misfortune and mine; to neither dare nor complain,
nor comfort him; to defend myself every day against him, against myself;
to put my care to cause his pain, when I would like to devote
all to his happiness: to live thus does not it die a thousand times? here
yet what will be my fate. I will support it however, I
will have the courage. Oh! you, whom I choose for my mother, receive it
oath!
Receive also the one that I make not to steal any of my

actions; receive it, I beseech you; I ask you as
a help I need: so committed to tell you everything, I
I will be accustomed to believe me always in your presence. Your virtue
will replace mine. Never, no doubt, will I allow myself to blush at
your eyes and, restrained by this powerful brake, while I will cherish in
you the indulgent confidant friend of my weakness, I will honor her again
the tutelary angel who will save me from shame.
It is good to feel enough to have to make this request. Fatal

effect of presumptuous confidence! Why have not I dreaded more
early that inclination I felt born? Why did I flatter myself
can I control, control or defeat him? Insane! I knew
very little love! Ah! if I had fought it with more care,
perhaps he would have taken less power! maybe then this departure would have
not necessary, or even, submitting myself to this painful party,
I could not have completely broken an affair that would have been enough
make it less frequent! But lose everything at once! and for ever! Oh!
my friend! ... But what! even while writing to you, I am still lost in
criminal wishes? Ah! let's go, let's go, and that at least these wrongs
involuntary are expiated by my sacrifices.
Farewell, my respectable friend; love me as your daughter, adopt me

for such and be sure that despite my weakness, I would rather
to die than to make myself unworthy of your choice.
_De ..., this 3 October 17 **, at one o'clock in the morning._
LETTER CIII
_Madame de ROSEMONDE to the President of TOURVEL._
I have been, my dear beautiful, more afflicted with your departure than surprise of
s due; a long experience and the interest you inspire had
Enough to enlighten me on the state of your heart, and if you need everything
to say, you have learned nothing or almost nothing from your letter. Yes
I had been educated only by her, I would still ignore what is
the one you love; because, talking to me about _lui_ all the time, you
did not write his name once. I did not need it; I
know who it is. But I notice it, because I remembered
that this is always the style of love. I see that he is still
as in the past.
I never thought I would ever be in the case of coming back to

memories so far removed from me and so foreign to my age. Yet since
yesterday, I really cared a lot, for the desire I had
to find something that could be useful to you. But what can I
do you admire and complain? I praise the wise party that
you took, but it scares me, because I conclude that you
considered it necessary and, when we are here, it is very difficult to
always stay away from the one whose heart brings us closer without
stops.
However do not be discouraged. Nothing must be impossible to your

beautiful soul, and when you should one day have the misfortune to succumb
(God forbid!) Believe me, my darling beauty, book yourself
at least the consolation of having fought with all your power. And
then what human wisdom can not do, divine grace operates when
he likes it. Perhaps you are on the eve of this relief, and your
virtue, experienced in these terrible struggles, will come out purer and
more brilliant. The strength you do not have today, hope that
you will receive it tomorrow. Do not count on relying on it,
but to encourage you to use all yours.
By leaving to Providence the care to rescue you in danger

against which I can not do anything, I reserve myself to support you and
to console you as much as it would be in me. I will not relieve your
sentences, but I will share them. It is for this reason that I will receive
willingly your confidences. I feel that your heart needs to need
to pour out. I open mine for you; age has not cooled yet
to the point of being insensitive to friendship. You will always find it ready
to receive you. It will be a weak relief to your pains, but
at least you will not cry alone, and when this unhappy love,
taking too much control over you will force you to talk about it, it's better
whether with me or with him. I'm talking like you, and
I believe that we will not be able to name him; the remainder,
we are okay.
I do not know if I'm good to tell you that he seemed to me strongly affected
your departure; it might be wiser not to
speak; but I do not like that wisdom that afflicts his friends. I am
yet forced to speak no longer about it. My stupid sight and my
shaking hand do not allow me long letters, when it takes
write them myself.
Farewell, then, my dear, good-bye, my dear child; yes, I you

willingly adopts for my daughter, and you have everything you need
to make the pride and the pleasure of a mother.
LETTER CIV
_The Marquise de MERTEUIL to Madame de VOLANGES._
In truth, my dear and good friend, I had difficulty in defending myself

Pride of pride, reading your letter. What! you honor me
of your complete confidence! you even go to ask me
advice! Ah! I am happy, if I deserve this favorable opinion of
your part; if I do not owe it only to the prevention of friendship.
Besides, for whatever reason, it is none the less precious
in my heart, and having obtained it is in my eyes only a reason for
more to work more to deserve it. I'm going (but without
pretending to give you an opinion) freely tell you my way of thinking.
I am suspicious of it because it differs from yours; but when I
have exposed my reasons, you will judge them, and if you condemn them,
I agree in advance with your judgment. I will at least have this wisdom
not to believe me wiser than you.
If however, and for this one time only, my opinion was better,
we should look for the cause in the illusions of love
maternal. Since this feeling is commendable, it must be in you.
That he recognizes himself indeed in the party that you are tempted to
take! so if you happen to wander sometimes, this is
only in the choice of virtues.
Prudence is what I think, the one that should be preferred when

we have the fate of others, and especially when it comes to fixing
by an indissoluble and sacred bond, such as that of marriage. It is
whereas a mother, equally wise and tender, must, as you say
well, help her daughter from her experience. But I ask you
what does she have to do to achieve this? if not to distinguish for her,
between what pleases and what suits.
Would it not be to demean maternal authority, would it not?

to annihilate it than to subordinate it to a frivolous taste, whose power
illusory is only felt by those who fear it and disappears
as soon as you despise it? For me, I admit, I never believed in
these catchy and irresistible passions that we seem to be
agreed to make the general excuse of our disturbances. I can not conceive
not how a taste, a moment sees birth and another sees
die, may have more strength than the unalterable principles of
modesty, honesty and modesty, and I do not hear more than
woman who betrays them can be justified by the alleged passion,
that a thief would not be by the passion of money, or an assassin
by that of revenge.
Eh! who can say that they never had to fight? But I still
tried to persuade me that, to resist, it was enough to want it,
and until then at least my experience has confirmed my opinion. that
would be virtue without the duties it imposes? his cult is in
our sacrifices, our reward in our hearts. These truths can not
be denied by those who have an interest in ignoring them and who, already
depraved hope to make a moment of illusion, trying to justify
their bad behavior by bad reasons.
But could it be feared by a simple and timid child; a

child born of you and whose modest and pure education could only have
to strengthen the natural happy? It is this fear, however, that I dare
say humiliating for your daughter, that you want to sacrifice marriage
advantageous that your prudence had spared for her! I really like
Danceny, and for a long time as you know, I see little Mr. de
Gercourt; but my friendship for one, my indifference for the other, does not
do not prevent me from feeling the enormous difference that lies between these
two parties.
Their birth is equal, I agree; but one is without fortune and

that of the other is such that, even without birth, it would have been enough
to lead him to everything. I admit that money does not make happiness,
but it must also be confessed that he makes it much easier. Miss of Volanges
is, as you say, rich enough for two; however, sixty thousand
annuity books that she will enjoy are not already so much when wearing
the name of Danceny, when you have to go up and support a house that
responds. We are no longer in the time of Madame de Sevigne. Luxury absorbs
all; it is blamed, but it must be imitated, and the superfluous ends with
deprive of the necessary.
As for the personal qualities that you count for a lot, and with
a lot of reason, certainly Mr. de Gercourt is without reproach of this
side, and to him, the proofs are made. I like to believe, and I believe
that indeed Danceny does not yield to him in anything; but are we sure?
It is true that he has hitherto appeared free from faults of his age, and
that despite the tone of the day he shows a taste for good company
which augurs favorably for him; but who knows if this wisdom
Apparently he does not owe it to the mediocrity of his fortune? For little
that we fear to be rascal or villainous, it takes money to
to be a player and a libertine, and one can still love the faults
dreads the excesses. Finally it would not be the thousandth that would have seen
the
good company only because we can not do better.
I do not say (God forbid!) That I believe that of him,

but it would always be a risk to run; and what reproaches
would not you have to do it if the event was not happy! that
would you answer your daughter who would say to you, "My mother, I was young
and without experience, I was even seduced by a forgivable error to
my age; but Heaven, who had foreseen my weakness, had granted me
a wise mother to fix it and guarantee it. Why, forgetting
your prudence, have you consented to my misfortune? Was it to me to me
to choose a husband when I did not know anything about the state of the marriage?
When I would have liked it, was it not for you to oppose it? But
I never had this crazy will. Decided to obey you, I have
waited for your choice with respectful resignation; I never
I left the submission that I owed you, and yet I
today carries the penalty that is due only to rebellious children. Ah!
your weakness has lost me ... "Perhaps his respect would stifle these
complaints, but maternal love would guess them; and the tears of your
girl, to be stolen, would not flow less on your heart.
Where will you then look for your consolations? Will it be in this mad love,
against which you should have armed him and by whom, on the contrary, you
would you be seduced?
I do not know, my dear friend, if I have against this passion a prevention

too strong, but I think it is formidable, even in marriage. It's not
not that I disapprove that an honest and sweet feeling comes to beautify
the conjugal bond and somehow soften the duties it imposes,
but it's not up to him to form it, it's not up to
the illusion of a moment to regulate the choice of our life. Indeed, for
to choose, to compare, and how power, when a single object
occupies us, when he himself can not be known, plunged
Are we intoxication and blindness?
I met, as you can believe many women with

this dangerous evil; I received the confidences of some. At the
to hear, there is none whose lover is a perfect being; but
these chimerical perfections exist only in their imagination. Their
exalted head only dreams of amenities and virtues,
the one they prefer; it is the drapery of a god, worn often
by an abject model, but whoever it is, hardly have it covered
that, dupes of their own work, they prostrate themselves to adore it.
Or your daughter does not like Danceny, or she experiences that same illusion;
it is common to both if their love is reciprocal. So your
reason to unite them forever is reduced to the certainty that they will not
do not know, that they can not know each other. But, will you say to me,
Do M. de Gercourt and my daughter know each other better? No, without
doubt, but at least they do not deceive themselves, they only ignore each other.
What happens in this case, between the two spouses that I suppose
honest? it is that each of them studies the other, is observed vis-�-vis
from him, seek and soon recognize what must be done with his
tastes and his wishes for the common tranquility. These light
sacrifices are easy, because they are reciprocal and
planned them; soon they give rise to mutual benevolence, and
the habit, which strengthens all inclinations that it does not destroy,
brings gradually this double friendship, this tender confidence which,
attached to esteem form, it seems to me, the true, the solid
happiness of weddings.
The illusions of love can be sweeter, but who knows

also that they are less durable? and what dangers do not bring the
moment that destroys them! That's when the slightest defect appears
shocking and unbearable, by the contrast they form with
the idea of ??perfection that seduced us. Each spouse
believes, however, that the other alone has changed and is still worth
that a moment of error had made him appreciate. The charm he feels
moreover, he is astonished at not being born, he is humiliated;
wounded vanity embittered spirits, increased wrongs, produced
the mood, give birth to hate, and frivolous pleasures are finally paid
by long misfortunes.
This, my dear friend, is my way of thinking about the object which occupies us;
I do not defend it, I only expose it, it's up to you to decide.
But if you persist in your opinion, I ask you to do
to know the reasons that will have fought mine; I'll be fine
easy to enlighten me to you and especially to be reassured on the
out of your kind child, whose happiness I ardently desire,
and by my friendship for her, and by that which unites me to you for life.
_Paris, this 4th of October 17 ** ._
LETTER CV
_The Marquise of MERTEUIL in C�CILE VOLANGES._

Well! little one, so you are very angry, very ashamed, and this
M. de Valmont is a bad man, is he not? How! he dares
treat you as the woman he would like best. He teaches you
what you were dying to know! In truth, these processes are
unforgivable. And you, on your side, want to keep your
wisdom for your lover (who does not abuse it); you do not cherish
the love that the sentences and not the pleasures! Nothing better, and you
will be beautiful in a novel. Passion, misfortune,
Virtue above all, only beautiful things! In the middle of this
brilliant procession, we are sometimes bored to the truth, but we make it
well.
See, poor child, how she is to be pitied! She had the

eyes beaten the next day! And what will you say then when it will be those
of your lover? Come on, my beautiful angel, you will not always have them
thus, not all men are Valmont. And then, do not dare
lift those eyes! Oh! for example, you were right, the whole
world would have read your adventure there. Believe me though, if it were
so our women and even our young ladies would look more
modest.
Despite the praises I'm forced to give you, like

you see, it must be admitted, however, that you missed your
masterpiece: it was to tell everything to your mother. You had so well
start! already you had thrown yourself in her arms, you sobbed,
she was crying too; what a pathetic scene! and what a pity
have not completed! Your tender mother, delighted with
to help your virtue, you would cloistered for all your life, and there
you would have liked Danceny as long as you wanted, without rivals and
without sin; you'd be sorry at your ease, and Valmont at
sure, would not have been disturbing your pain by contrarians
pleasures.
Seriously, can one be fifteen years old, be a child like you

are? You are right to say that you do not deserve my
kindness. I wanted to be your friend, you need it
maybe with the mother you have and the husband she wants you
give! But if you do not train more, what do you want
do we make you? What can we expect if what makes the spirit come
to girls, seems on the contrary to take it away?
If you could take it upon yourself to reason for a moment, you

would soon find that you have to congratulate yourself instead of
to complain. But you are ashamed and that bothers you! Hey!
calm down, the shame that causes love is like pain:
only experience it once. We can still pretend it after, but we do not
feel it more. However the pleasure remains, and it is something.
I think I've even unraveled through your little chatter, that you
could count it for a lot. Come on, a little good faith. The,
that trouble which prevented you from doing as you said, who would you
made you find it difficult to defend yourself, which made you _like
angry when Valmont left, was it really the shame that the
caused? or if it was fun? _and his ways of saying which one
do not know how to answer, would not that come from his
make_? Ah! little girl lie, and lie to your friend! it
is not good. But let's break it.
Which for everyone would be a pleasure, and could only be

this becomes in your situation a real happiness. Indeed,
placed between a mother whom you love to be loved and a lover
which you always want to be, how do you not see that
the only way to achieve these opposite successes is to take care of a
third? Distracted by this new adventure, while vis-�-vis
of your mom you will seem to sacrifice to your submission for
she has a taste that displeases her, you will acquire vis-�-vis your lover
the honor of a beautiful defense. By constantly assuring your love,
you will not give him the last proof. These refusals, so little
difficult in the event that you will be, it will not fail to put them
on the account of your virtue; he may complain about it, but he
will love more, and to have the double merit in the eyes of one
to sacrifice love, to those of the other to resist, he does not
It will cost only to taste its pleasures. O how many women have lost
their reputation, which would have kept it carefully, if they had been able to
to support it by such means!
This party that I propose to you does not seem to you the most reasonable,
like the sweetest? Do you know what you earned from the one you
have taken? Is that your mother attributed your grade repetition
sadness to a redoubled love, that she is outraged and that for
you punish her she is only waiting to be sure. She just told me
to write; she will try everything to obtain this confession of yourself. She will
go,
perhaps, she tells me, to offer you Danceny for a husband, and
that to engage you to speak. And so, letting you seduce by this
misleading tenderness, you respond according to your heart, soon shut up
for a long time, maybe forever, you would cry at your leisure
blind credulity.
This trick that she wants to use against you, it must be combated by
another. So start, showing him less sadness, to him
to make believe that you think less of Danceny. She will convince him
all the more easily as it is the ordinary effect of absence, and
she will be more grateful if she finds an opportunity
to applaud his prudence, which has suggested this means. But if,
retaining some doubt, she nevertheless persisted in testing you and
that she come to talk to you about marriage, enclose yourself, as a good girl
born, in perfect submission. By the way, what are you risking? For
what one does with a husband, one is always good for the other, and the most
inconvenient is even less embarrassing than a mother.
Once more happy with you, your mother will finally marry you, and
then, more free in your steps, you will be able to your choice,
leave Valmont to take Danceny, or even keep them both.
Because, take care, your Danceny is nice, but it's one of those
men we have when we want and as long as we want; we can put ourselves
comfortable with him. It is not the same with Valmont: we keep it
difficult, and it is dangerous to leave him. It takes with him
a lot of skill, or, when you do not have it, a lot of docility.
But, also if you could manage to tie him as a friend, this
there would be happiness! he would immediately put you at the forefront of
our fashionable women. That's how you get consistency
in the world, not to blush and cry, as when your
Religious made you dine on your knees.
So you will try, if you are wise to mend with Valmont,

who must be very angry with you; and how to know
to repair his foolishness, do not be afraid to make him some advances;
as well will you learn soon that if men do us the
first, we are almost always obliged to do the second.
You have an excuse for these, because you do not have to
keep this letter, and I require you to give it to Valmont
as soon as you read it. Do not forget to pick it up
before. First of all, you have to give yourself credit for the
what you will do about it and that it does not look like
to have been advised to you; and then, there is only you in the world
whose friend I am enough to speak to you as I do.
Goodbye, beautiful angel, follow my advice, and you will call me if you
find it well.
_P.-S ._-- By the way, I forgot ... a word again. So look to heal
more your style. You always write like a child. I see
well where it comes from; is that you say everything you think and
nothing you do not think. This can pass from you to me
who have nothing hidden from each other, but with everyone,
especially with your lover, you would always look like a little
foolish. You see that when you write to someone, it's for
him and not for you, so you should not be trying to tell him
that you think what he likes more.
Farewell, sweetheart, I kiss you instead of scolding you,

the hope that you will be more reasonable.
CVI LETTER
Wonderfully, viscount, and, for once, I love you with fury. the
rest, after the first of your two letters, we could expect
at the second, so she did not surprise me; and while already
proud of your future success, you seek the reward and that
you asked me if I was ready, I could see that I did not have
I need to hurry. Yes, of honor; reading the beautiful story of
that tender scene, which had so moved you deeply; seeing your
restraint, worthy of the finest times of our chivalry, I said twenty
Once: This is a missed deal!
But it could not be otherwise. what do you want

What does a poor woman do who surrender and do not take? My faith,
in this case, we must at least save the honor, and this is what
do your president. I know that for me, who felt that
the walk she has taken is really not without some effect, I
propose to use it for my account, at the first opportunity
a little serious that will come up; but I promise well that if the one
for whom I will pay the price does not profit better than you, it can
surely give up on me forever.
So you are absolutely reduced to nothing, and that between two women,
one of which was already overnight, and the other did not ask for better
to be there. Well! you're going to believe that I'm boasting and saying that he
is easy to prophesy after the event, but I can swear to you
that I expected. That is, you really do not have the genius
of your state; you only know what you have learned and you
do not invent anything. Also, as soon as circumstances no longer lend themselves to
your usual formulas and that you have to go out of the ordinary way,
you stay short like a schoolboy. Finally a childishness on the one hand;
on the other, a return of prudery, because we do not feel them all
the days are enough to disconcert you, and you do not know the
prevent or remedy it. Ah! Viscount! Viscount! you teach me not to
judge men by their success, and soon it will be necessary to say of you:
was brave that day. And when you've done nonsense on nonsense, you
use me! It seems that I have nothing else to do but to
repair them. It is true that it would be enough work.
Anyway, of these two adventures one is undertaken against

my will, and I do not interfere; for the other, as you put it
some complacency for me, I make it my business. The letter I
here, which you will read first and then give to the
small Volanges, is more than enough to bring it back to you: but
I beg you, give some care to this child and let's do it
in concert, the despair of his mother and Gercourt. There is no need
fear to force the doses. I clearly see that the little person
will not be afraid of it, and our views on it once fulfilled
will become what she can.
I completely lose interest on his account. I had some desire

to make at least one junior intriguer and take her for
to play _the seconds_ under me, but I see that there is no cloth;
she has a stupid ingenuity that has not yielded even to the specific you
have used, which however does not lack, and it is in my opinion, the
the most dangerous disease that a woman can have. It denotes above all
a weakness of character almost always incurable and opposed
asset; so that while we would care to train this
little girl for intrigue, we would make an easy woman.
But I do not know anything so flat as this facility of stupidity, which
surrender without knowing how or why, just because we
the attack and she can not resist. These kinds of women are not
absolutely only pleasure machines.
You will tell me that it is only necessary to do that and that it is enough
for our projects. All in good time! but let's not forget that from these
machines, everyone soon comes to know the springs
and engines; as well as to use it without danger, he
must hurry, stop early and then break it. To the
truth, the means will not fail us to undo, and
Gercourt will always make her shut up when we want. By the way,
when he can no longer doubt his disappointment, when it will be well
public and well-known, what does it matter to us that it avenges itself,
do not console yourself? What I say about the husband, you probably think of
the mother; so it's worth doing.
This party that I believe the best and which I stopped, told me
decided to lead the young person a little fast, as you will see
by my letter; it also makes it very important not to leave anything
in his hands that could compromise us, and I beg you to
be careful. This precaution once taken, I take care of
moral, the rest is watching you. If however we see afterwards
that ingenuity corrects itself, we will always be in time to change
project. It would have taken no less, one day or another, we
take care of what we are going to do: in no case will our care be
lost.
Do you know that mine risked it and that the star of

Gercourt thought to prevail over my prudence? Does not Madame de Volanges have
not had a moment of maternal weakness? Did not she want to give
his daughter to Danceny? That was what this tender interest announced
that you had noticed _the next day_. It's still you who would have
been the cause of this beautiful masterpiece! Fortunately the tender mother told me
written, and I hope that my answer will disgust him. I speak so much virtue,
and above all, I cajole her so much that she must find that I am right.
I'm sorry I did not have time to take a copy of my

letter to edify you on the austerity of my morality. You would see
how I despise women who are depraved enough to have a lover! he
is so convenient to be rigorous in his speeches! it never hurts
than others and does not bother us at all ... And I do not ignore
that the good lady had her little weaknesses like another in her
young time and I was not sorry to humiliate him at least in his
consciousness; it comforted me a little of the praise I gave him
against mine. So, in the same letter, the idea of ??harming
Gercourt gave me the courage to say good things about it.
Farewell, viscount, I very much approve of the party you take to stay
some time you are. I have no means to hasten your
walk, but I invite you to be bored with our common
pupil. As for me, despite your polite quote, you
see that we have to wait, and you will probably agree
that it's not my fault.
LETTER CVII
_AZOLAN at the Vicomte de VALMONT._
SIR,
In accordance with your orders, I was immediately receiving your

letter, to Mr. Bertrand, who gave me the twenty-five louis, as
you ordered him. I asked him for two more
Philippe, to whom I had said to leave on the spot, as monsieur me
had sent for him, and who had no money; but sir your man
business did not want to, saying that he did not have any order of that
from you. So I had to give them from me and sir
will consider if it's his goodness.
Philippe left yesterday evening. I recommended him not to

leave the cabaret, so we can be sure to find it if we have
need.
I was immediately after Mrs. President's to see Miss

Julie; but she was out and I only spoke to La Fleur, from whom
I could not know anything because since his arrival he had been
at the hotel only at mealtimes. This is the second who did all the
service and sir knows that I did not know that one. But
I started today.
I returned this morning to Miss Julie's and she seemed very happy to
see me. I asked her about the cause of her mistress's return;
but she told me she did not know anything, and I think she said it right. I
blamed him for not telling me of his departure, and she told me
assured that she had only known that evening by going to bed,
so much that she spent all night tidying up and that the poor girl
did not sleep two hours. She did not go out that night from the room
of her mistress only an hour past, and she left it that
was only writing.
In the morning, Madame de Tourvel, on leaving, handed a letter to the concierge

of the castle. Miss Julie does not know who she said it was
maybe for sir, but sir do not tell me about it.
During the whole trip, Madame had a big hood on her face, this
which made it impossible to see her; but Miss Julie believes she is safe
that she cried often. She did not say a word during the road
and she did not want to stop at *** [41], as she had done in
up; which did not please Miss Julie, who had not
not having lunch But, as I told him, the masters are the masters.
[41] Still the same village, half way to the road.
When she arrived, she went to bed, but she only stayed in bed
two o'clock. When she got up, she called her Swiss and gave her
order to let no one enter. She did not wash
all. She sat down for dinner, but she only ate a little
of soup and she came out right away. He was brought his coffee
at home, and Miss Julie came in at the same time. She found her
mistress who was storing papers in her secretary and she saw that
it was letters. I'll bet it's those of sir,
and of the three that happened to him in the afternoon, there is one
that she still had in front of her all evening! I am sure that
it's still one of sir. But why is she
went like this? it surprises me! for the rest, surely sir
knows well? And it's not my business.
Madam President went to the library in the afternoon, and she

took two books which she carried into her boudoir; but Miss
Julie assures that she has not read in a quarter of an hour in any
the day, and that she only read this letter, dream and be
leaning on his hand. As I imagined that gentleman would be glad
to know what those books are, and that Miss Julie did not know,
I was led today in the library, under the pretext
to see her. There is no emptiness for two books: one is the second
volume of the _Pens�es chr�tiennes_, and the other, the first of a book
whose title is _Clarisse_. I write well as there is, sir will know
maybe that's it.
Yesterday evening, Madame did not eat supper, she only took tea.
She rang early this morning she asked for her horses all
and it was before nine o'clock in the morning at Feuillants, where
she heard Mass. She wanted to confess, but her confessor
was absent and he will not come back from eight to ten days. I thought he
was good to tell that to sir.
She came back then, she had lunch and then began to write,
and she stayed there for almost an hour. I found opportunity to
do what the gentleman wanted most, because it was me who
carried the letters to the post office. There was none for Madame de Volanges,
but I send one to Monsieur, who was for the President; he had me
seemed to be the most interesting. There was one too
for Madame de Rosemonde, but I imagined that Monsieur would see her
always good when he wants and I let him go. The remainder,
sir will know everything, since the president also writes to him.
I will have all the others that he wants, because it is almost
always Miss Julie who gives them to people, and she assured me that by
friendship for me and then also for sir, she would gladly do this
that I would like.
She did not even want the money I gave her, but I think
although sir will want to make him some little present, and if that's
his will and that he will take care of it, I will easily know what
will please.
I hope that sir will not find that I have neglected

to serve him, and I am very anxious to justify myself with the reproaches he
do me. If I did not know the departure of Madam President, it is at
contrary my zeal for the service of sir who is the cause,
since it was he who made me leave at three o'clock in the morning, which
I did not see Miss Julie the night before, as usual,
having been sleeping at the Tournebride not to wake up in the castle.
As for what Mr. reproaches me for being often without money, first
it's that I like to keep myself clean, as sir can see, and
then, it is necessary to maintain the honor of the dress worn; I know
although I should maybe save a little bit for the future, but I
entrusts me entirely in the generosity of sir, who is so good
master.
With regard to entering the service of Mme de Tourvel, staying at

sir, I hope that monsieur will not require it from me.
It was very different at Madame la Duchesse's, but assuredly I will not go
not to wear the livery and again a livery of dress, after having had
the honor of being a gentleman hunter. For everything else,
sir can dispose of the one who has the honor to be, with so many
respect only of affection, his very humble servant.
ROUX AZOLAN, _Hunter_.

Paris, this 5th of October, 17th, at eleven o'clock.
LETTER CVIII
O my indulgent mother! that I have thanks for you and that I had
need your letter! I read and re-read it constantly; I could not
not detach myself. I owe him the only less painful moments that
I've been there since I left. How good you are! Wisdom,
Virtue know how to sympathize with weakness! You have pity on my
evils! ah! if you knew them! ... they are awful. I thought
to have experienced the sorrows of love, but the inexpressible torment,
the one you must have felt to get the idea is to separate
of what we love, to part with it forever ... Yes, the pain that
overwhelm me today will come back tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, all my life! My
God, that I am still young and that I have time to suffer!
To be the maker of one's own misfortune, to tear one's heart apart

own hands, and while we suffer these unbearable pains,
feel every moment that they can be stopped with one word and that
word be a crime! Ah! my friend!...
When I made that painful move away from him, I was hoping
that absence would increase my courage and my strength. How much I
I was wrong! On the contrary, it seems to me that it has completed
destroy them. I had more to fight, it is true; but even
in resisting, all was not privation; at least I saw him
sometimes, often even, without daring to look at him, I
felt hers fixed on me; yes, my friend, I felt them, he
seemed to warm my soul, and not to my eyes
they did not come less to my heart. Now, in my pain
solitude, isolated from all that is dear to me, face to face with my
misfortune, all the moments of my sad existence are marked by my
tears, and nothing mitigates bitterness, no consolation mingles with
my sacrifices, and those I have done so far have only served
to make more painful those who remain to me to do.
Yesterday I felt it very strongly. In the letters we

handed me back there was one of him; we were still two steps away
from me that I had recognized it among others. I got up
involuntarily, I trembled, I could hardly hide my emotion;
and this state was not without pleasure. Left alone the moment after,
this deceptive sweetness had vanished and left me only one
sacrifice more to do. Indeed, could I open this letter,
that yet I burned to read? By the fatality that pursues me, the
The consolations that seem to present themselves to me do not, on the contrary,
that impose new privations, and these become more
cruel still by the idea that M. de Valmont shares them.
Here it is finally this name which occupies me constantly and that I had so much
hardly to write; the kind of reproach you make me
truly alarmed. I beg you to believe that a false shame
did not alter my self-confidence, and why should I fear
to name it? Ah! I blush with my feelings and not with the object that makes them
cause. What other than him is more worthy of inspiring them? However
I do not know why this name does not appear naturally under my name.
pen, and this time again I needed some thinking to place it.
I come back to him.
You are telling me that he seemed to you to be affected by my departure.

What did he do? what did he say? did he talk about coming back to Paris?
I beg you to divert it as much as you can. If he told me
well judged, he must not begrudge me for this step; but he must
to feel also that it is a bias without return. One of my biggest
torment is not to know what he thinks. I still have his
letter ..., but you are surely in my opinion, I must not open it.
It is only through you, my indulgent friend, that I can not be

entirely separated from him. I do not want to abuse your kindness; I
It is perfectly clear that your letters can not be long; but you
do not refuse two words to your child: one to support his courage
and the other to comfort him. Farewell, my respectable friend.
LETTER CIX
It is only today, Madam, that I have given to M. de Valmont

the letter you did me the honor to write to me. I kept it
four days, despite the fears I often had that we did not
find, but I hid it with great care, and when sorrow
resumed, I shut myself up to read it again.
I can see that what I thought was such a great misfortune is almost
not one, and I must admit that there is a lot of fun, so that I do not
almost distresses me. There is only the idea of ??Danceny that torments me
always sometimes. But there are already plenty of moments where I do not
Do not think at all! so it is that M. de Valmont is very kind!
I mended with him for two days: it was good for me

easy, because I had told him only two words he told me
that if I had something to say to him, he would come in the evening in my
room, and I only had to answer that I wanted it. And,
as soon as he was there, he did not look more angry than if I had him
never did anything. He scolded me only after, and still very slowly,
and it was in a way ... just like you, which proved to me that he
had a lot of friendship for me too.
I can not tell you how much he told me funny things

and that I would never have believed, especially on mom. You tell me
it would be nice to tell me if all that is true. The good thing is
Sure, it was that I could not restrain myself from laughing; so that
I laughed loudly, which made us scared, because mom would have
could have heard, and if she had come to see, what would I be
become? It's good for the blow she would have given me at the convent!
As one must be careful, and that, as M. de Valmont told me

himself, for anything in the world he would not want to risk compromising me,
we agreed that from now on it would only come to open the
door and we would go to his room. For there, there is nothing to
to fear; I have been there yesterday, and now that I write to you,
I'm still waiting for him to come. Now, madam, I hope you do not
will scold me more.
There is one thing that surprised me in your letter,

that's what you're asking me for when I'm married, about
Danceny and M. de Valmont. It seems to me that one day at the Opera you will tell
me
say instead that once married, I could not love
my husband, and I should even forget Danceny; for the rest, perhaps
that I had not heard well, and I like it better than that otherwise,
because now I will not fear so much the moment of my marriage.
I even desire it, since I will have more freedom; I hope then
I can arrange myself so as to think only of Danceny. I smell
although I will not be really happy with him, because now
his idea always torments me and I have happiness only when I can
do not think of him, which is very difficult, and as soon as I think about it,
I'm getting sad right now.
What consoles me a little is that you assure me that Danceny me

will love more; but are you sure of it? Oh! yes, you do not
I do not want to be wrong. It's nice though it's Danceny
that I like and that M. de Valmont ... But, as you say, it is
maybe a happiness! Finally, we will see.
I did not hear too much what you mark me about my way
to describe. It seems to me that Danceny finds my letters well as they
are. I feel, however, that I must not tell him anything about
happens with M. de Valmont; so you do not have to worry.
My mother has not told me yet of my marriage; but let it go;

when she tells me about it, since it is to catch me, I promise you
that I will be able to lie.
Good-bye, my dear friend; thank you very much and I promise you that I
will never forget all your kindness to me. I have to finish,
for it is nearly an hour; thus M. de Valmont should not delay.
_Of the castle of ..., this October 10 17 ** ._
LETTER CX
Powers of Heaven, I had a soul for pain, give me one

for happiness [42]! It is, I believe, the tender Saint-Preux who
expresses himself like this. Better shared than him, I have both
existences. Yes, my friend, I am at the same time, very happy and very
unhappy, and since you have my full confidence, I owe you the
a double account of my troubles and my pleasures.
[42] _New Heloise_
Know, therefore, that my ungrateful devotee always holds me rigorous. I

am in my fourth letter returned. I may be wrong to say
fourth, because having correctly guessed from the first referral, that it would be
followed by many others, and not wanting to waste my time,
I decided to put my grievances in common places, not to
date, and since the second mail, it is always the same
letter coming and going; I am only changing the envelope. If my beautiful
ends up as usually fine and beautifully endeared one day,
at least weary, she will finally keep the missive and it will be time
then to update me. You see that with this new kind of
correspondence, I can not be perfectly educated.
I discovered, however, that the slightest person changed his confidante;

at least I have been assured that since his departure from the castle he is not
came no letter from her to Madame de Volanges, while it is
came two for old Rosemonde, and as this one does not tell us
nothing says, as she no longer opens the mouth of her dear belle, whose
before she spoke incessantly, I concluded that it was she who
had the confidence. I presume that on the one hand, the need to speak
from me, and from the other the little shame of coming back to Mme de
Volanges on a feeling so long disavowed, have produced this
great revolution. I'm still afraid of losing the change because more
the women get older and the more they become cowardly and severe.
The first would have told him more bad of me; but this one
will say more about love, and the sensible prude is far more frightening
feeling that of the person.
The only way to get to know me is, as you see, to intercept

the clandestine trade. I have already sent the order to my hunter, and
I expect the execution from day to day. Until then, I can not do anything
only at random; also, for the last eight days, I have been passing needlessly
all known means, all those novels and my memoirs
secret; I can not find any that are appropriate, nor to the circumstances of
adventure, nor the character of the heroine. The difficulty would not be
to bring me home, even at night, even to put her to sleep and
to make a new Clarisse; but after more than two months of care
and penalties, resort to foreign means, drag me
slavishly on the track of others, and triumph without glory! ... No
it will not have the pleasures of vice and the honors of virtue.
It's not enough for me to possess her, I want her to give herself up.
However, it must not only penetrate to it, but
to arrive from his confession; to find her alone and with the intention of
listening to me,
especially him close his eyes on the danger because if she sees it, she
will overcome it or die. But better I know what to do,
the more difficult I find, and if you still
to make fun of me, I will admit that my embarrassment is increasing as
I take care of it more.
[43] _New Heloise_
The head would turn, I believe, without the happy distractions that
give me our common pupil; it's up to her that I have to still have
to do something other than elegies.
Would you believe that this little girl was so frightened that he
happened three great days before your letter produced anything
its effect? That's like a single misconception can spoil the happiest
natural!
Finally, it was not until Saturday that we came around and

stammer a few words; still pronounced so low and so muffled
by shame that it was impossible to hear them. But the redness
that they caused me to guess the meaning. Until then, I had stood
proud; but bowed by such a pleasant repentance I wanted to promise
to go to find, that same evening, the pretty penitent; and this grace of my
was received with all the gratitude due to such a great benefit.
Since I never lose sight of your projects or mine, I have

resolved to take this opportunity to know the true value
of this child, and also to accelerate his education. But for
follow this work with more freedom I needed to change the
place of our appointments, because a simple cabinet, which separates the room
of your ward from that of his mother could not inspire him enough
security to let it unfold itself. I had promised myself
to make _innocemment_ some noise, which could cause him enough
fear for the decision to take in the future, a safer asylum; she
I still spared this care.
The little person is laughing, and, to encourage his gaiety, I

told me in our interludes, to tell him all the adventures
scandals that went through my head, and to make them more
spicy and fix his attention more, I put them all on
the account of his mother, that I liked to sleep well vices and
ridiculous.
It was not without reason that I made that choice; he encouraged

better than any other my shy schoolgirl, and I inspired her at the same time
time the deepest contempt for his mother. I have noticed since
long, that if this means is not always necessary to employ
to seduce a girl, it is indispensable and often even the
more effective, when we want to deprave it; because the one who does not respect
not his mother will not respect herself: moral truth that I believe
so useful that I was glad to provide an example in support of the
precept.
Yet your pupil, who did not think of morals, was choking
to laugh at every moment, and finally, once she thought she was bursting. I
had no difficulty in making her believe that she had made a noise
affreux_. I feigned a great fear, which she easily shared.
For her to remember it better, I no longer allow the pleasure of
to reappear, and left her alone three hours earlier than usual;
so we agreed, separating ourselves, that the next day it would be
in my room we would gather.
I have already received it twice, and in this short time schoolgirl

has become almost as learned as the master. Yes, in truth, I
taught him everything, even the compliments! I only except
precautions.
So busy all night, I get to sleep a lot of the

day, and as the current society of the castle has nothing that attracts me,
I hardly appear an hour in the salon during the day. I even
of today, decided to eat in my room and I do not count
more leave it than for short walks. These quirks
pass on the account of my health. I declared that I was _perdu de
vapeurs_; I also announced a little fever. It only costs me
speak in a slow, dead voice. As for the change of my figure,
trust your ward. _Love will provide for it [44] ._
[44] Regnard, _Folies in love_.
I occupy my leisure dreaming of ways to resume my ungrateful

the benefits that I lost, and also to compose a species of
debauchery catechism, for the use of my schoolgirl. I'm having fun
to name anything by the word technical, and I laugh in advance of
the interesting conversation that this must provide between her and
Gercourt the first night of their marriage. Nothing is more pleasant
that the ingenuity with which she is already using the little she knows of
that language! she does not imagine that we can speak otherwise. This
child is really attractive. This contrast of naive candor with
the language of effrontery does not fail to make an impression; and I
I do not know why, there are only weird things that I like.
Maybe I'm doing too much to this one, since I'm compromising my
time and my health; but I hope that my feigned illness, besides it
will save me the trouble of the salon, may still be of some use to me
with the austere devotee, whose virtue tigress allies yet
with sweet sensitivity! I do not doubt that she is already
educated about this great event and I really want to know
what she thinks about it; especially since I would bet she does not
will not fail to give it the honor. I will settle the state of my
health on the impression he will make on it.
Here you are, my beautiful friend, aware of my business as myself.

I wish to have some more interesting news soon
learn, and I beg you to believe that, in the pleasure that I am
promise, I count for much the reward I expect from you.
LETTER CXI
_The Count de GERCOURT to Madame de VOLANGES._
Everything seems, madame, to be quiet in this country, and we

let us wait from day to day for permission to return to France. I hope
that you will not doubt that I always have the same eagerness
to go there and to form the knots that should unite me to you and to
Miss of Volanges. However, the Duke of ..., my cousin, and to whom
you know that I have so many obligations, just let me know
his reminder of Naples. He tells me that he intends to go through Rome and
to see, in his route, the part of Italy which remains to him to know.
He pledges me to accompany him on this trip, which will be about six
weeks or two months. I do not hide from you that it would be nice for me to
take advantage of this opportunity, feeling that once married, I will take
It is difficult to make time for other absences than those
service will require. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to wait
winter for this wedding, since it can only be then that all my
parents will be gathered in Paris, namely the Marquis de ...,
to whom I have the hope of belonging to you. Despite these considerations,
my projects in this regard will be absolutely subordinate to yours, and
if you prefer your first arrangements, I'm ready to
give up mine. I only ask you to let me know the most
early possible your intentions about it. I will wait for your answer here
and she alone will regulate my conduct.
I am with respect, ma'am, and with all the feelings that

are suitable for a son, your very humble, etc.
Count DE GERCOURT.
_Bastia, this October 10, 17 ** ._
LETTER CXII
(_Dictation only._)
I receive only at the very moment, my dear belle, your letter of

11 [45], and the sweet rebukes it contains. Agree that you
did you want to do more, and if you were not
not remembered that you were _my daughter_, you would really have me
scolded. You would have been very unfair! It was the desire and
the hope of being able to answer you myself which made me differ
every day, and you still see that today I am obliged
to borrow the hand of my maid. My unfortunate rheumatism
took me back, he nested this time on the right arm, and I'm
absolutely manchot. That's it, young and fresh like you
are, to have such an old friend! we suffer from its inconveniences.
As soon as my pains give me a little relaxation, I promise myself

good to talk with you for a long time. In the meantime, know only
that I have received your two letters; that they would have redoubled, if it were
possible, my tender friendship for you, and that I will never stop
take part, very strongly, in all that interests you.
My nephew is also a little indisposed, but without any danger and without
that there is no need to worry about it; it is a slight inconvenience
which, it seems to me, affects his mood more than his health. We
do not see him anymore.
His retirement and your departure do not make our little circle more cheerful.
The small Volanges, especially, finds you furiously to say and yawns,
as long as the day lasts, to swallow his fists. Especially since
a few days, she gives us the honor of falling asleep
every afternoon.
Farewell, my dear, I am always your very good friend, your

Mom, your sister, if my old age allowed me this title. Finally
I am attached to you by all the tenderest sentiments.
_Sign�_: AD�LA�DE _for_Mrs DE ROSEMONDE.

LETTER CXIII
I think I must warn you, Viscount, that we are beginning to look after
of you in Paris, that we notice your absence and that we already
guess the cause. Yesterday I was at a very supper dinner; he was told
positively that you were held in the village by a romantic love
and unhappy; immediately the joy was painted on the faces of all
envious of your successes and of all the women you have neglected.
If you believe me, you will not let these
dangerous noises and you will come on the spot to destroy them by your
presence.
Remember that if you lose the idea that you are resisting
no, you will soon experience that you will be resisted more
easily, that your rivals will also lose their respect for you
and dare to fight you, because which one of them does not think himself more
stronger than virtue? Remember that in the multitude of women
that you have posted, all the ones you have not had are
attempt to deceive the public, while others will strive to
to abuse it. Finally, you have to expect to be appreciated maybe
as much below your value as you have been up to
present.
Come back, Viscount, and do not sacrifice your reputation to a

puerile whim. You did everything we wanted from the small
Volanges, and, for your president, it will not seem to be
staying ten leagues from her, you will do without fantasy.
Do you think she will pick you up? Maybe she's not thinking
more to you or does it take care of it only to congratulate itself on
to have humiliated you. At least here, can you find some opportunity
to reappear with brilliance, and you need it; and when you
stubborn to your ridiculous adventure, I do not see that your return
There can be nothing ... on the contrary.
Indeed, if your president _you adore_, as you have me so much

said and so little proved, his only consolation, his only pleasure, must
to now be talking about yourself and knowing what you're doing, what
what you say, what you think and even the least
which interest you. These miseries are gaining price because of
deprivation that one experiences. These are the bread crumbs of the
table of the rich: this one disdains them, but the poor collects them
greedily and feeds on it. Now the poor President is now receiving
all these crumbs, and the more she will have, the less she will be in a hurry to
indulge in the appetite of the rest.
Moreover, since you know his confidante you do not doubt

that each letter of her contains at least one little sermon, and
all that she believes proper to corroborate her wisdom and strengthen
his virtue [46]. Why leave one of the resources for
to defend and to the other to harm you?
[46] _We never think of anything! _ Comedy.
It's not that I'm at all of your opinion about the loss you
believe you have made the change of confidante. First, Ms. de
Volanges hates you, and hate is always more clairvoyant and more
ingenious as friendship. All the virtue of your old aunt does not
will not urge him to denounce for a moment his dear nephew, for the virtue
also has its weaknesses. Then your fears are about a remark
absolutely wrong.
It is not true that _more women are getting older and more
become rough and severe. It is from forty to fifty that the
despair of seeing their face wither, the rage of feeling obliged
to abandon pretensions and pleasures to which they hold
still, make almost all women pretty and naughty. he
they need this long interval to make this great sacrifice
but as soon as it is consumed, all are divided into two classes.
The most numerous, that of women who have had only their
figure and their youth, falls into a foolish apathy and does not
goes out more than for the game and for some devotional practices;
that one is always boring, often grumbling, sometimes a
not very annoying, but rarely nasty. We can not say either
whether these women are or are not severe: without ideas and without
existence, they repeat without understanding it and indifferently, everything
that they intend to say and remain by themselves absolutely null.
The other class, much rarer, but truly precious, is

that of women who, having had a character and having not neglected
to feed their reason, know how to create an existence when
they are lacking in nature and they are willing to put in their minds
the adornments they replace before for their figure. These
ordinarily have a very healthy judgment and the mind at once
solid, cheerful and graceful. They replace the seductive charms by
the endearing kindness and the playfulness whose charm increases in
proportion of age; that's how they manage somehow
to get closer to the youth by being loved. But then,
far from being as you say, _reches and harsh_, the habit of
indulgence, their long reflections on human weakness and
especially the memories of their youth, by which alone they
still hold on to life, would rather place them, perhaps too close
of the facility.
What I can tell you finally is that having always sought

the old women whose early recognition of the usefulness of
votes, I met several of them with whom
the inclination brought me back as much as the interest. I stop there because at
now that you are igniting yourself so fast and so morally, I would be afraid
that you did not suddenly fall in love with your old aunt, and
that you do not bury yourself with her in the tomb where you live
already for so long. I come back then.
Despite the enchantment where you seem to be your little

schoolgirl, I can not believe she's coming in for something in
your projects. You took it: at the right time! but it can not
not be there a taste. It's not even, to tell the truth, an entire
enjoyment; you have absolutely only his person! I do not speak
not from his heart, which I doubt you do not care,
but you do not just occupy his head. I do not know if you
have seen, but I have the proof in the last letter
that she wrote to me [47]; j e send it to you for you to judge by. see
so that when she speaks of you, it is always _M. of Valmont_; than
all his ideas, even those that you give him, do not succeed
never to Danceny; and he does not call him sir, that's good
always _Danceny_ only. By this she distinguishes him from all
others and even indulging in you, she only becomes familiar with
him. If such a conquest seems to you _s�duisante_, if the pleasures
it gives you _you attach_, surely you are modest and little
difficult. That you keep it, I consent to it; that even enters my
projects. But it seems to me that it's not worth a quarter
hour; it should also have some empire and not allow it,
for example, to get closer to Danceny after having made him a
little more forget.
[47] See the letter CIX.
Before I stop taking care of you to come to me, I still want

to tell you that this means of illness that you are announcing me want to take
is well known and well used. In truth, viscount, you are not
inventive! Me, I repeat myself sometimes, as you will see, but I
The task of saving me by the details and above all the success justifies me. I
will still try one and run a new adventure. I agree
that it will not have the merit of the difficulty, but at least will it be
a distraction and I am bored to death.
I do not know why, since the Pr�van adventure, Belleroche is

become unbearable. He has redoubled his attention,
tenderness, of _everation_, which I can no longer hold. His anger, in
the first moment seemed to me pleasant; it did, however, have to
calm down, because it would have been to compromise me to let him do it: and he
there was no way to make him listen to reason. So I took the
to show him more love to overcome it more easily:
but he took it seriously; and since that time he has gone beyond
his eternal enchantment. I especially notice the insulting trust
that he takes in me and the security with which he looks at me as
to him forever. I'm really humiliated. He takes me so
very little, if he thinks he is worth enough to fix me. Did not he tell me
lately that I would never have loved anyone other than him? Oh! for the
suddenly, I needed all my prudence, so as not to undeceive him
at once, telling him what was going on. That's certainly a pleasant
sir, to have an exclusive right! I agree that he is well done
and a pretty good figure: but, all in all, this is not
than a maneuver of love. Finally the moment has come, we must separate.
I've been trying for a fortnight now, and I've used one by one,
coldness, caprice, humor, quarrels; but the tenacious
character does not leave hold as well: so you have to take a
party more violent, as a result I take him to my campaign, we
let's leave the day after tomorrow. There will be with us only a few people
disinterested and undefined, and we will have almost as much
of freedom only if we were there alone. There, I will overload it to such
point of love and caresses, we will live so well for each other
only, that I bet though he will desire more than me the end of this
a journey of which he is so happy; and if he does not return
more bored of me than I am from him, say, I agree, that I
do not know more than you.
The pretext for this kind of retreat is to take care of myself seriously
of my grand trial, which, indeed, will finally judge itself at the beginning
of winter. I am very glad of it; because he is really unpleasant
to have all his fortune in the air. It's not that I'm
worried about the event; first I'm right, all my lawyers
the guarantee; and when I do not have it, I would be very clumsy
if I did not know how to win a lawsuit, where I do not have for opponents
only minors still young and their old tutor! Since he does
must however neglect anything in such an important matter, I will have
actually with me two lawyers. This trip does not seem to you
cheerful? however if he saves me my lawsuit and lose Belleroche, I
will not regret my time.
Now, viscount, guess the successor; I give it to you in a hundred.

But OK! do not I know that you never guess anything? well,
it's Danceny. You are surprised, are not you? because at last I'm not
still reduced to the education of children! But this one deserves to be
except; he has only the graces of youth, and not frivolity.
Its large reserve in the circle is very good at keeping all
suspicion, and we find it all the more pleasant when he gives himself
in the head-to-head. It's not that I've had any with him for
my account, I am still only his confidante; but under this veil
of friendship I think he sees a very keen taste for me, and I feel
that I take a lot for him. It would be a shame that so much
of spirit and delicacy went to sacrifice and abrade
this little fool of Volanges! I hope he's wrong about
Believing to love him: she is so far from deserving it! It's not that I
be jealous of her; but it would be a murder, and I want
save Danceny. I beg you, Viscount, to put your attention to
what he can not get closer to _sa C�cile_ (as he still has
the bad habit of naming it). A first taste always has more
of empire that you do not believe, and I would not be sure of anything if he saw
her again
now, especially during my absence. When I return I take care of
everything and I answer.
I thought about taking the young man with me, but I did
sacrifice to my ordinary prudence; and then, I would have feared he
did not notice anything between Belleroche and me, and I would be
in despair he had the slightest idea of ??what was going on. I want to
less offer me to his pure and unblemished imagination; finally he
should be to be truly worthy of him.
LETTER CXIV
My dear friend, I give in to my deep anxiety and, without knowing if you

you will be able to answer, I can not help interrogating you.
The state of M. de Valmont, which you tell me to be in danger, does not leave me
not as much security as you seem to have. He is not
rare that the melancholy and disgust of the world are symptoms
harbingers of some serious illness; the sufferings of the body,
like those of the spirit, make loneliness desirable; and often we
reproach of the mood with the one we should only complain about
ailments.
It seems to me that he should at least consult someone. How, being

sick yourself, do not you have a doctor with you? Mine
that I saw this morning, and that I do not hide from you that I consulted
indirectly, is of the opinion that in people naturally
active, this species of sudden apathy is never neglected; and,
as he told me again, diseases no longer give way to treatment,
when they were not taken in time. Why run this
risk to someone who is dear to you?
What redoubles my concern is that for four days I have not

receive more news from him. My God! do not deceive me on
its state? Why would he stop writing to me suddenly? If it was
only the effect of my obstinacy in sending him back his letters, I
believe he would have taken this earlier. Finally, without believing
presentiments, I've been sad for a few days now
scares me. Ah! perhaps I am on the eve of the greatest of misfortunes!
You can not believe, and I am ashamed to tell you how much I am
sorry to no longer receive these same letters, which I
would still refuse to read. I was sure at least that he had taken care
of me! and I saw something coming from him. I did not open them
not these letters, but I cried while looking at them: my tears were
softer and easier; and those alone dissipated in part
the usual oppression I feel since my return. I'm telling you
conjure, my indulgent friend, write to me as soon as you
will be able, and in the meantime, make me give each day of your
news and his.
I realize that hardly I have said a word to you, but you

know my feelings, my unreserved attachment, my tender
recognition for your sensitive friendship; you will forgive the trouble
where I am, with my mortal pains, the frightful torment of having to
to fear evils of which perhaps I am the cause. Good Lord! this
desperate idea pursues me and tears my heart; this misfortune
was missing, and I feel that I was born to test them all.
Goodbye, my dear friend; love me, pity me. Will I have a letter from
you today?
[Illustration: PL. IX
_Mle Gerard inv._
_Pauquet sc._
LETTER CXV]
LETTER CXV
It's an inconceivable thing my beautiful friend, as soon as we

it's easy to get along. As long as I was with
of you, we never had the same feeling, the same way of
see; and because for almost three months I have not seen you anymore,
we are no longer of the same opinion on anything. Which of us is wrong?
surely you would not hesitate on the answer: but me wiser, or
more polite I do not decide. I will only respond to your letter
and continue to expose you to my conduct.
First, I thank you for the advice that you give me noises that
run on my account; but I do not worry about it yet: I am
I think I'll soon have something to stop them. Keep calm,
I will not appear in the world more famous than ever, and
always more worthy of you.
I hope I will be counted for something else the adventure of the

little Volanges, of which you seem so little done: as if
it was nothing to remove in one evening, a girl to her
loved lover, to use afterwards as much as you want and absolutely as
of his good, and without more embarrassment to get what we do not dare
even to demand of all the girls whose business it is; and that without
to disturb her in nothing of her tender love; without making it inconstant,
not even unfaithful: for, indeed, I do not only occupy his head! in
so that after my fantasy passed, I'll put her in the arms of
her lover, so to speak, without her noticing anything. Is
So there is such an ordinary march? and believe me, once out
from my hands, the principles that I give him will not develop
less; and I predict that the shy schoolgirl will soon take off
to honor his master.
If, however, we prefer the heroic genre, I will show the

President, this model quoted from all the virtues, respected even from
our most libertines, such as we had lost until the idea of
to attack it, I will show it, "said I, forgetting his duties and his virtue,
sacrificing his reputation and two years of wisdom to run after the
happiness to please me, to get drunk on that of loving me, lying
sufficiently compensated for so many sacrifices by a word, by a
look that she still will not get it. I will do more, I will
will leave, and I do not know this woman, or I will not have
successor. It will resist the need for consolation, the habit of
pleasure, to the very desire of revenge. Finally she will have existed only
for me, and that his career is more or less long, I will have
open and closed the barrier. Once at this triumph, I will say
my rivals: "See my work and look for it in the second century
example!"
You are going to ask me today where does this overconfidence come from?
It is because for a week, I am in the confidence of my beautiful;
she does not tell me her secrets, but I surprise them. Two letters
from her to Madame de Rosemonde have sufficiently instructed me, and I will not
read
more the others than out of curiosity. I absolutely do not need to
to succeed, than to approach her, and my means are found. I go
incessantly put them in use.
You are curious, I believe? ... But no, to punish you for not
believe in my intentions, you will not know them. All right, you
deserve that I take away my trust, at least for this
adventure; indeed, without the sweet price attached by you to this success, I
do not talk about it anymore. You see I'm angry. However,
in the hope that you will correct yourself, I will stick to this
light punishment, and returning to indulgence, I forget for a moment my
great projects, to reason with you with you.
So here you are in the country, boring like the feeling and sad
like fidelity! And poor Belleroche! you do not settle
not to make him drink the water of oblivion, you give him the question!
How is it? does he tolerate the nausea of ??love?
I would very much like you to become more attached to it;
I'm curious to see what more effective remedy you would get to
to employ. I really do complain that you have had to resort to
one. I have done only once in my life the love by process.
I certainly had a great motive, since it was to the countess
from ..., and twenty times in his arms, I was tempted to say to him:
"Madam, I give up the place I ask and allow me to
leave the one that I occupy. "Also, of all the women I had,
it's the only one I really enjoy talking badly.
For your motive, I find it, to tell the truth, of a rare ridicule;
and you had reason to believe that I would not become the successor.
What! Is it for Danceny that you give yourself all this trouble?
Eh! my dear friend, let him adore _he virtuous Cecile_ and do you
do not compromise in these children's games. Let the schoolchildren
train with _goods _ or play with boarders _to small
innocent games_. How are you going to handle a novice who does not
will neither take you nor leave you, and with whom you will need everything
make? I'm telling you seriously, I disapprove of this choice and some
secret that he would remain, he would humiliate you at least in my eyes and in
your conscience.
You take, you say, a lot of taste for him: let's go, then, you
you're wrong, and I think I've found the cause of your
fault. This beautiful disgust of Belleroche came to you in a time of
scarcity, and Paris does not offer you the choice, your ideas always too much
alive, focused on the first object you encountered.
But remember that on your return you will be able to choose between a thousand, and
if
finally you dread the inaction in which you risk falling into
differing, I offer myself to you to amuse your leisure.
By the time you arrive, my big business will be finished

or else, and surely neither the little Volanges nor the president
itself will not take care of me enough so I do not have to
you as much as you want. Maybe even by then, will I have
already handed the little girl to the hands of her discreet lover. Without
agree, whatever you say, that it is not a jouissance
_attachante_, as I have the project she keeps me all her life
an idea superior to that of all other men, I
put with it, in a tone that I could not sustain long without
alter my health, and from that moment on, I no longer care about it but by
care we owe to family affairs ...
You do not hear me? ... Is that I'm waiting for a second time for
confirm my hope and make sure that I have fully succeeded in my
projects. Yes, my beautiful friend, I already have a first clue that the husband
of my schoolgirl will not run the risk of dying without posterity, and
that the head of the house of Gercourt will be in the future only a cadet of
that of Valmont. But let me end my fantasy this adventure,
that I have undertaken only at your prayer. Remember that if you make
Danceny inconstant, you take all the pizzazz from this story.
Finally, consider that, offering to represent you, I have
it seems to me, some rights to the preference.
I am counting on it so much that I did not fear to thwart your views in

incurring myself to increase the tender passion of the discreet lover,
for the first and worthy object of his choice. So having found yesterday
your pupil busy writing to him and having bothered her first of
this sweet occupation for another sweeter still, I have him
asked after, to see her letter, and as I found her cold and
constrained, I made him feel that it was not so
would console her lover, and I decided to write another one under my
dictation, where, imitating as best I could his little drivel, I
striving to nourish the young man's love with a more certain hope.
The little person was very happy, she told me, to find herself
speak so well; and from now on I will be in charge of correspondence. that
will I not have done for this Danceny? I will have been both his friend,
his confidant, his rival and his mistress! Still right now, I'm telling him
make the service to rescue him from your dangerous bonds. Probably yes,
dangerous; because you own and lose yourself is buying a moment of
happiness by an eternity of regret.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; have the courage to send Belleroche the most
that you can. Leave Danceny there and get ready to find and
to return the delicious pleasures of our first liaison.
_P.-S ._-- I compliment you on the coming judgment of the great

trial. I will be very glad that this happy event comes under my
reign.
_Of the castle of ..., this 19th of October 17 ** ._
LETTER CXVI
Madame de Merteuil left this morning for the campaign; so, my

charming Cecile, here I am deprived of the only pleasure that remained to me
your absence, that of talking to you about your friend and mine.
For some time she has allowed me to give it that title, and I
took advantage with all the more eagerness that it seemed to me there,
to get closer to you. My God! that this woman is kind!
and what a flattering charm she knows how to give to friendship! It seems like
sweet feeling beautifies and strengthens her home with everything she
refuse to love. If you knew how she loves you, how she feels
please hear me tell you about you! ... This is probably what
attaches me so much to her. What a joy to live only for
you two, to constantly pass from the delights of love to sweets
of friendship, of devoting all my life to it, of being in
so, the meeting point of your reciprocal attachment and of
always feel that, taking care of the happiness of one, I would work
also to that of the other! Love, love, my dear friend,
this adorable woman. The attachment I have for her, give it more
price again by sharing it. Since I tasted the charm of
friendship, I desire you to experience it in your turn. The pleasures that
I do not share with you, it seems to me to enjoy only half. Yes
my dear Cecile, I would like to surround your heart with all the feelings
softer; that each of his movements made you feel a sensation
of happiness, and I would still think I could never give you that one
part of the bliss I would hold of you.
Why do these charming projects have to be a pipe dream?

of my imagination, and that reality, on the contrary, only offers me
painful and infinite privations? The hope that you had me
given to see you in this campaign, I realize that it is necessary to
renounce. I have no more consolation than that of persuading me that
indeed it is not possible for you. And you neglect to tell me,
to grieve with me! Already, twice, my complaints about it
have remained unanswered. Ah! Cecile! Cecile! I think you
love me with all the faculties of your soul, but your soul is not
burning like mine! What is it to me to remove the obstacles?
Why is it not my interests that I have to spare instead
yours? I will soon prove to you that nothing is impossible to
love.
You do not tell me when this cruel absence must end:

at least here, maybe you'll see me. Your charming looks
would revive my slain soul; their touching expression would revive my
heart, which sometimes needs it. Pardon, my Cecile; this fear
is not a hint. I believe in your love, in your constancy. Ah!
I would be too unhappy if I doubted it. But so many obstacles! and
always renewed! My friend, I am sad, very sad. It seems
that this departure of Mme de Merteuil has renewed in me the feeling of
all my misfortunes.
Farewell, my Cecile; Farewell, my beloved. Remember that your lover

grieves and you alone can make him happy.
LETTER CXVII
(_Dictated by Valmont._)
Do you believe, my good friend, that I need to be scolded for

to be sad, when I know that you are grieving? and do you doubt that
I suffer as much as you suffer from all your troubles? I even share
those that I involuntarily cause you, and I, more than you,
to see that you do not do me justice. Oh! that is not good.
I can see what makes you angry: the last two times
you asked me to come here I did not answer that;
but is this answer so easy to make? Do you believe that I
do not know that what you want is wrong? And yet, if I have
already so much trouble refusing you from afar, what would it be if you
were there? And then, for wanting to console you for a moment, I would be
afflicted all my life.
Look, I have nothing hidden for you, me; these are my reasons, judge
yourself. I might have done what you want without what I
you have said, that this M. de Gercourt, who causes all our sorrow,
will not arrive anytime soon, and as for some time mom
shows me a lot more friendship, as on my side, I caress
as much as I can, who knows what I can get from her? And if
we could be happy without my having anything to reproach myself with
that it would not be much better? If I believe what I was told
often men even do not like their wives so much when they
loved them too much before they were. This fear still holds me back
more than anything else. My friend, are not you sure of my heart and do not
will not it always be time?
Listen, I promise you that if I can not avoid the misfortune

to marry M. de Gercourt, whom I hate already before knowing him,
nothing will hold me back more to be to you as much as I can and
even before everything. As I only care about being loved by you and
that you will see that if I do wrong it will not be my fault,
the rest will be equal to me; as long as you promise to love me
always as much as you do. But, my friend, until then, let me
continue as I do, and do not ask me for anything that I have
good reasons not to do it and yet it makes me angry
refuse.
I would also like M. de Valmont not to be so urgent as to

you; it only serves to make me even more chagrined. Oh! you
have a good friend there, I assure you! It does everything as you would
yourself. But, good-bye, my dear friend; I started very late at you
write and I spent part of the night there. I'm going to bed and
repair the lost time. I kiss you, but do not scold me anymore.
_Of the castle of ..., this 18th October 17 ** ._
LETTER CXVIII
_The Chevalier DANCENY at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
If I believe my almanac, there is, my adorable friend only two

days that you are absent; but if I believe my heart there are two
centuries. But I have it from you, it's always his heart that he
must believe; it is high time that you come back, and all your
business must be more than finite. How do you want me
I am interested in your lawsuit if, loss or gain, I also have
to pay the fees by the boredom of your absence? Oh! I would like
to quarrel! and that he is sad, with such a beautiful subject to have
the mood, to have no right to show!
Is not this a true infidelity, a black treason,

than to leave your friend away from you after accustoming him to not
to be able to do without your presence? You will be able to consult your
lawyers, they will not find you any justification for this bad
process, and then these people only say reasons, and reasons
are not enough to respond to feelings.
For me, you told me so much that it was because you were doing
this trip, which you have thoroughly confused with me. I do not want
not at all to hear it, not even when she tells me to forget you.
This reason is, however, quite reasonable, and in fact
would not be so difficult as you might think. It would suffice
only to lose the habit of always thinking of you, and nothing here,
I assure you, do not call me back.
Our most beautiful women, the ones we say most kind, are still
so far from you that they could give only a small good
idea. I even believe that with trained eyes, the more we first believed
that they resemble you, the more we find there after difference:
they can do anything, beautiful put everything they know, they
always fail to be you, and it's positively there that is the
charm. Unfortunately, when the days are so long and we
is unoccupied, we dream, we make castles in Spain, we create ourselves
his chimera; little by little the imagination is exalted: one wants to beautify
one's
book, we collect all that can please, we finally arrive at the
perfection, and as soon as we are there, the portrait goes back to the model, and
we are astonished to see that we have only thought of you.
At this very moment, I am still the dupe of a mistake about

similar. You think maybe it was to take care of you that
I started to write to you? Not at all: it was to distract me.
I had a hundred things to say to you, of which you were not the object, which,
as you know, are very interesting to me, and these are the ones
yet of which I was distracted. And since when the charm of friendship
Is he distracted from that of love? Ah! if I looked at it well
near, perhaps I should have a little reproach to make me! Quiet!
let's forget this slight fault, for fear of falling back, and my friend
she herself does not know it.
Also why are not you here to answer me, to bring me back
if I go astray, to talk to me about my Cecile, to increase if he is
possible, the happiness that I taste to love him, by the idea so sweet that
Is your friend that I like? Yes, I admit, the love she inspires me
I have become even more valuable since you have
to receive the confidence. I love so much to open my heart, to occupy
yours of my feelings, to deposit them without reserve! It seems to me
that I cherish them more as you deign to collect them,
and then I look at you and say to myself: It is in it that is shut up
all my happiness.
I have nothing new to tell you about my situation. The last

letter that I received _d'elle_ increases and ensures my hope, but the
delay again. Yet his motives are so tender and so honest that
I can not blame or complain about it. Maybe do not you hear
all I say to you there, but why are not you here?
Although one says everything to one's friend, one does not dare to write
everything. The secrets
of love, especially are so delicate that we can not let them go
so on their good faith. If sometimes they are allowed to go out, he
do not lose sight of them at least; you have to sort of
see entering their new asylum. Ah! come back then, my adorable
friend; you see that your return is necessary. Forget finally
the _mille_ reasons that keep you where you are, or teach me
live where you are not.
CXIX LETTER
Although I still suffer a lot, my dear beautiful, I try to you

write myself so that I can talk to you about what interests you.
My nephew still keeps his misanthropy. He sends regularly
to know of my news every day; but he did not come a
inform himself, even though I asked him to do so:
that I do not see him more than if he were in Paris. I have it yet
met this morning, where I hardly expected it. It's in my chapel,
where I came down for the first time since my painful
inconvenience. I learned today that for four days it goes
regularly hear Mass. God grant that it lasts!
When I came in, he came to me, and congratulated me loudly

affectionately on the best state of my health. Like the mass
was beginning, I abbreviated the conversation, which I planned to resume
after; but he disappeared before I could reach him. I do not you
I will not hide that I found it changed a bit. But my dear,
do not make me repent of my trust in your reason, by
worries too lively; and above all, be sure that I would still like
better afflict you than fool you.
If my nephew continues to hold me, I will take the side,

as soon as I get better, go see him in his room, and I
try to penetrate the cause of this singular mania, in which
I think you are for something. I will tell you what
I will have learned. I leave you unable to move your fingers: and
then, if Adelaide knew that I wrote, she would scold me all
evening. Goodbye, my dear.
LETTER CXX
_The Vicomte de VALMONT to Father ANSELME._
(_Feuillant from the Convent of the Rue Saint-Honor�._)
I do not have the honor to be known to you, sir, but I know

the whole confidence that you have in you Mrs. President de Tourvel, and
know more how much this trust is worthily placed. I believe
so power without indiscretion speak to you to get one
very essential service, truly worthy of your holy ministry, and where
Madame de Tourvel's interest is attached to mine.
I have in my hands important papers that concern

can not be entrusted to anyone, and I do not have to
put back only in his hands. I have no way of instructing him,
because of reasons, that maybe you will have known from her, but
which I do not think I can instruct you, have
made the decision to refuse any correspondence with me: gone
which I readily admit today, can not blame, since it does not
could foresee events to which I myself was far from
to wait for me, and that were only possible by force more than human
that we are forced to recognize it.
I beg you, sir, to inform me of my

new resolutions, and ask him, for me an interview
particular where I can at least repair, in part, my wrongs by
my excuses; and, as a last sacrifice, annihilate in his eyes the
only existing traces of an error or fault that had made me
guilty towards her.
It will only be after this preliminary expiation that I dare to deposit
at your feet the humiliating avowal of my long bewilderment, and implore
your mediation for a much more important reconciliation,
and unfortunately more difficult. May I hope, sir, that you
will not refuse me much needed and precious care? and
you will deign to support my weakness and guide my steps in a path
again, which I ardently wish to follow, but which I confess, in
blushing, not knowing yet.
I wait for your answer with the impatience of repentance who wishes to
repair, and I beg you to believe me, with so much gratitude
that of veneration,
Your very humble, etc.
_P.-S ._-- I authorize you, sir, in case you deem it

to communicate this letter in its entirety to Mme de Tourvel,
that I will make my life a duty to respect, and in whom I do not
will never stop honoring the one Heaven used to bring back
my soul to virtue, by the touching spectacle of his.
LETTER CXXI
_The Marquise de MERTEUIL to the Chevalier DANCENY._
I received your letter, my too young friend, but before you

thank you I must scold you, and I warn you that if you
do not correct yourself, you will have no answer from me. exit
So, if you believe me, that tone of blare, which is nothing but
jargon, as soon as it is not the expression of love. Is this where
the style of friendship? no, my friend, every feeling has its language
which suits him; to use another is to disguise the thought
that we express. I know our little women do not hear anything
what can be said to them, if it is not translated, as it were, into
this jargon of use; but I thought I deserved, I admit, that you
distinguish them from them. I'm really angry and maybe more than
I should not be, that you have judged me so badly.
You will find in my letter only what is missing from yours,

Franchise and simplicity. I will tell you, for example, that I would have
great pleasure to see you and that I am upset to have not
from me only people who bother me, instead of people who please me;
but you, this same sentence, will translate it as follows: _Learn me to
to live where you are not_; so that when you will be, I suppose,
with your mistress, you can not live there that I am
in thirds. What a pity! and those women, who are still missing from
me_, you may also find that your Cecile is missing!
yet here is where a language leads, which by the abuse
today, is still below the jargon of compliments, and does not
becomes more than just a protocol that we do not believe more,
only to the most humble servant!
My friend, when you write to me, whether to tell me your way of

think and feel, not to send me sentences that I will find
without you, more or less well said in the first novel of the day.
I hope you will not be sorry for what I'm telling you here, when
even you would see a little humor; because I do not deny to have some:
but to avoid the air of defect that I reproach you, I do not
will not tell you that this mood is maybe a little increased by
the distance I am from you. It seems to me that, on the whole, you
better than a lawsuit and two lawyers, and maybe even
_the_attentive_Belleroche.
You see that instead of being sorry for my absence, you should
to congratulate them; for I had never done you such a fine compliment.
I think the example wins me and I want to tell you
cajoleries: but no, I prefer to stick to my frankness; it is
so she alone who assures you of my tender friendship and interest
that she inspires me. It is very sweet to have a young friend whose heart
is busy elsewhere. This is not the system of all women;
but it's mine. It seems to me that one gives oneself more pleasure,
to a feeling of which one can not have anything to fear: also I passed
for you, perhaps quite early, to the role of confidante.
But you choose your mistresses so young, that you made me
to see for the first time, that I am beginning to be old!
It is well for you to prepare a long career of
constancy, and I wish you with all my heart that it is reciprocal.
You are right in giving yourself to the tender and honest motives which,
to what you tell me, _retard your happiness_. The long defense
is the only merit left to those who do not always resist; and
what I would find unforgivable to anyone other than a child like
the little Volanges, would be to not know how to escape a danger which she has
been sufficiently warned by the confession that she made of her love. You
other men you have no ideas of what virtue is and what
what does it cost to sacrifice it! But as long as a woman reasons,
she must know that regardless of the fault she commits, a
weakness is for her the greatest of misfortunes, and I can not conceive
not that no one ever lets them in, when she can have a
moment to think about it.
Do not fight this idea, because it's the one that ties me
mainly to you. You will save me from the dangers of love, and
although I knew well without defending myself so far, I
agree to have some recognition and I will like you better and
more.
With that, my dear knight, I pray to God that he will have you in his holy and
worthy guard.
LETTER CXXII
I hoped, my dear daughter, to finally be able to calm your anxieties, and

on the contrary, I see with sorrow that I am going to increase them still more.
Calm down, however: my nephew is not in danger; we can not
even to say that he is really sick. But surely it happens
him something extraordinary. I do not understand anything; but I am
leaving her room with a feeling of sadness, maybe even
fright, which I reproach myself for sharing with you
I can not help chatting with you. Here is the story of what
happened; you can be sure he is faithful because I would live
eighty other years that I would not forget the impression that
made me this sad scene.
So I went to my nephew's house this morning; I found him writing and

surrounded by different piles of papers that looked like the object
from his work. He took care of it to the point that I was already in the middle
from his room he had not yet turned his head to find out who
entered. As soon as he saw me, I noticed very well that
looking up he was trying to compose his face, and maybe even
That's what made me pay more attention. He was, in truth, without
toilet and without powder but I found it pale and defeated and having
especially the altered physiognomy. His look, which you saw so vivid and
so gay, was sad and dejected; finally, be it said between us, I would not have
I did not want you to see it that way, because it looked very touching
and very fit for what I believe, to inspire that tender pity that is
one of the most dangerous traps of love.
Although struck by my remarks, I nevertheless started

conversation as if I had not noticed anything. I first told him
talked about her health and, without saying that she was good, he did not tell me
articulated though it was bad. So I complained about his
retreat that looked a bit like a mania, and I tried to mix a
little cheerfulness to my little reprimand; but he answered me only,
and in a penetrated tone: "It's a wrong more, I admit, but it will be
repaired with others. "His air, even more than his speeches, has a
little disturbed my playfulness and I hastened to tell him that he
put too much importance on a simple reproach of friendship.
So we started talking quietly again. He told me little

time after, that maybe a deal, _the biggest deal of his
life, would soon call him back to Paris; but as I was afraid of
to guess, my dear, and that this beginning would lead me to a confidence
which I did not want, I did not ask him any questions and I
am content to answer him that more dissipation would be useful
to his health. I added that for this time I would not do him any
instance, loving my friends for themselves; that's the sentence
simple that, squeezing my hands and speaking with vehemence that I do not
then go, "Yes, aunt," he said to me, "like, like a lot
a nephew who respects and cherishes you, and, as you say,
love him for himself. Do not worry about his happiness and do not
disturb by no regret the eternal tranquility which he hopes to enjoy
soon. Repeat me that you love me, that you pardon me; Yes you
forgive me; I know your kindness, but how do you hope for the same
indulgence of those I have so offended? "Then he stooped on
me to hide, I believe, marks of pain that the sound of his
voice detected me in spite of himself.
Moved more than I can tell you, I got up hurriedly

and no doubt he noticed my dread, because on the spot
more: "I'm sorry," he said, "sorry, ma'am, I feel that I
goes astray in spite of myself. I beg you to forget my speeches and you
remember only my deep respect. I will not miss, he
added, to go and renew the tribute before my departure. "He told me
seemed that this last sentence urged me to finish my visit, and
I went away indeed.
But the more I think about it and the less I guess what he meant.
What is this affair: _the greatest of his life_? What subject me
he asks for forgiveness? Where did this involuntary tenderness come from?
by talking to me? I have already made these questions a thousand times without
able to answer them. I do not even see anything there that relates to you;
however, as the eyes of love are more clairvoyant than those of
friendship, I did not want to let you know anything about what happened
between my nephew and me.
I got back four times to write this long letter, that

I would do longer without the fatigue I feel. Goodbye, my
dear belle.
LETTER CXXIII
Father ANSELME to the Viscount of VALMONT.
I received, Monsieur le Vicomte, the letter of which you honored me, and
since yesterday I transported myself according to your wishes, in the person
question. I explained to him the purpose and motives of the approach
you asked to do with her. Some attached that I have it
found at the wise party she had taken first, about what I told her
that she might be at risk for her refusal to
your happy return and so oppose, so to speak, the views
merciful of Providence, she agreed to receive your
visit, provided, however, that it will be the last, and has charged me
to announce that she would be at home next Thursday, 28. If this
day could not suit you, you will want to inform him and
tell him another one. Your letter will be received.
However, Mr. Viscount, allow me to invite you not to

differ without strong reasons, so that you can deliver earlier
and more fully to the laudable dispositions that you show me.
Remember that one who is slow to enjoy the moment of grace exposes himself
that it be taken away from him; that if the divine goodness is infinite,
the use is nevertheless settled by justice, and that it can come a
the moment when the God of mercy turns into a God of vengeance.
If you continue to honor me with your confidence, I beg you to

believe that all my care will be acquired as soon as you
desire: whatever my occupations may be, my business
more important will always be to fulfill the duties of the holy ministry
to which I am particularly devoted; and the most beautiful moment
in my life the one where I will see my efforts flourish by blessing
from the Almighty. Weak sinners we are, we can not
nothing by ourselves! But the God who reminds you of everything, and we
will also have to his kindness, you constant desire to join you
to him, and I, the means to lead you there. It is with his help that
I hope to convince you soon that the Holy Religion can give
alone, even in this world, the solid and lasting happiness we seek
in vain in the blindness of human passions.
I have the honor to be, with respectful consideration, and so on.
LETTER CXXIV
In the midst of the astonishment to which I was thrown, madam, the news that I have
learned yesterday, I do not forget the satisfaction it must cause you,
and I hasten to tell you about it. M. de Valmont does not care anymore nor
of me nor of his love, and only wants to repair by a life more
uplifting, the faults, or rather the mistakes of his youth. I was
informed of this great event by Father Anselme, to whom he
addressed to lead it in the future and also to provide him with a
interview with me, which I think the main purpose is to make me
my letters, which he had kept so far despite the request to the contrary
that I had made him.
I can not possibly, that applaud this happy change and me

congratulate him if, as he says, I was able to compete in something.
But why did I have to be the instrument and let me know?
What would be the rest of my life? The happiness of M. de Valmont could he
to ever arrive only through my misfortune? Oh! my indulgent friend,
forgive me this complaint. I know it's not up to me
sound the decrees of God, but while I ask him continually,
and still in vain, the strength to defeat my unhappy love, he
prodigal to the one who did not ask it and leave me without
relief, fully delivered to my weakness.
But let's smother this guilty murmur. Do not I know that the child
prodigal on his return, got more graces from his father than the son
who had never been absent? What account do we have to ask
who owes us nothing? And when it would be possible for us
would have some rights with him, what could be the
mine? Would I boast of a wisdom I already owe to Valmont?
He saved me, and I would dare to complain by suffering for him! No,
my sufferings will be dear to me if his happiness is the price. Without
Doubtless he had to return to the common Father. The God who
He trained him to cherish his work. He had not created this being
charming to make one reprobate. It's up to me to carry the pain
of my audacious imprudence; should not I feel that since
I was forbidden to love him, I should not allow myself to see him.
My fault or my misfortune is to have refused too long for this

truth. You are my witness, my dear and worthy friend, that I
subject to this sacrifice as soon as I have recognized the necessity;
but, for it to be whole, it was wanting that M. de Valmont did not
shared point. Will I admit that this idea is now what
torment me the most? Unbearable pride that softens the evils that
we experience by those whom we make suffer! Ah! I will overcome this
rebellious heart, I will accustom him to humiliation.
It is mainly to achieve this that I finally agreed to receive Thursday
next, the painful visit of M. de Valmont. There, I will hear him
to say himself that I am nothing, that the impression weak and
transient I had made on him is completely erased! I will see
his looks go on me without emotion, while the fear of
to detect mine will make me look down. These same letters he
refused so long to my repeated requests, I will receive them from his
indifference, he will give them to me as useless objects and
interest him more, and my hands shaking, receiving this deposit
ashamed, will feel that it is handed to them with a firm and quiet hand!
Finally, I'll see him go away ... get away for ever, and my
looks that will follow him will not see his people turn on me!
And I was reserved for so much humiliation! Ah! that at least I got the
makes me useful by penetrating me by the feeling of my weakness ...
Yes, those letters that he no longer cares to keep, I will keep them
preciously. I will shame to read them every day,
until my tears erased the last traces, and
his I will burn them as infected with the dangerous poison that
has corrupted my soul. Oh! what is it then that love, if it makes us
to regret the dangers to which he exposes us; if, especially
may be afraid to feel it again, even when you're not inspired
more! Let's escape this fatal passion that leaves no choice but between
shame and misfortune, and often even brings them together, and that
unless prudence replaces virtue.
That Thursday is still far away! what can I consume at the moment this
painful sacrifice and forget both the cause and the object!
This visit bothers me; I repent of having promised. Hey! what did he
need to see me again? what are we now to each other?
If he offends me, I forgive him. I congratulate him even for wanting
to repair his wrongs, I praise him. I will do more, I will imitate him; and
seduced by the same errors, his example will bring me back. But when his
project is to run away, why start looking for me? most
hurry for each of us is not it to forget the other? Ah! without
Doubt, and it will be my only care from now on.
If you allow me, my kind friend, it will be with you that

I will take care of this difficult work. If I need help,
perhaps even consolation, I only want to receive from you. You
only know how to hear and speak to my heart. Your precious friendship
will fill my whole existence. Nothing will seem difficult for me
second the care that you want to give you. I will owe you my
tranquility, my happiness, my virtue, and the fruit of your kindness to me
will have finally made me worthy.
I am, I think a lot lost in this letter, I presume

at least by the turmoil I have not ceased to be in writing to you.
If there were some feelings I had to blush, cover them up
of your indulgent friendship. I leave it entirely to her. It's not
not to you that I want to steal any of the movements of my heart.
Farewell, my respectable friend. I hope in a few days, to announce you

that of my arrival.

[Illustration: PL. X
_Anonymous_
LETTER CXXV]
LETTER CXXV
So here she is conquered this beautiful woman who dared to believe that she
could resist me! Yes, my friend, she is mine, entirely to me,
and since yesterday she has nothing to give me.
I'm still too full of my happiness to appreciate it, but

I am amazed at the unknown charm I felt. Would it be so true
that virtue increased the price of a woman until the very moment
of his weakness? But relegate this puerile idea with the tales of
good women. Do not we meet resistance almost everywhere
more or less feigned at the first triumph? and did I find it null
apart from the charm of which I speak? it is not the same
of love; for, after all, if I had sometimes with this woman
amazing moments of weakness that resembled this passion
Pusillanimous, I always knew how to overcome them and return to my principles.
Even if yesterday's scene would have, as I believe, carried away a
little further than I counted; when I have a shared moment the
trouble and drunkenness that I was born, this passing illusion
would be dispelled now, and yet the same charm remains.
I would even, I confess, have a sweet enough pleasure to indulge in it, if it does
not
caused me some anxiety. Will I be, at my age, mastered as
a schoolboy by an involuntary and unknown feeling? No, you have to,
first of all to fight it and to deepen it.
Perhaps, moreover, have I already glimpsed the cause! I like it at

less in this idea and I would like it to be true.
In the crowd of women with whom I have filled to this day

role and functions of lover, I had not met any
who would not have, at least, as much desire to surrender as I had
determine; I had even accustomed myself to calling _prudes_ those who did not
did that half way, as opposed to so many others, whose
the provocative defense never covers imperfectly the first
advances they have made.
Here, on the contrary, I found a first unfavorable prevention and

since founded on the advice and reports of a hateful woman,
but clairvoyant; a natural and extreme shyness, that strengthened
an enlightened modesty; an attachment to virtue that religion
headed, and which already counted two years of triumph, finally
brilliant actions inspired by these different motives, and all of which
were intended only to evade my lawsuits.
So it's not like in my other adventures, a simple

capitulation more or less advantageous and which it is easier to
to enjoy that to pride oneself; it's a complete victory, bought
by a painful campaign decided by learned maneuvers. It is not
therefore not surprising that this success due to me alone, becomes me more
precious, and the extra pleasure I felt in my triumph
and that I still feel is only the sweet impression of the feeling of
glory. I cherish this way of seeing who saves me the humiliation of
to think that I could somehow depend on the same slave as
I would have enslaved myself, that I do not have in me alone the fullness of my
happiness, and the ability to make me enjoy it in all its energy
be reserved for this or that woman, exclusively for any other.
These thoughtful thoughts will regulate my conduct in this important

opportunity, and you can be sure that I will not let myself down so much
chained, that I can not always break these new links,
playing with me and my will. But I'm talking about my breakup, and
you do not yet know by what means I have acquired the right; read
so, and see what wisdom is in trying to rescue the
madness. I studied so carefully my speeches and the answers that
I got, that I hope to return each other with a
accuracy you will be happy with.
You will see, by the two copies of the attached letters [48], which
mediator I had chosen to get closer to my beautiful and with what
the zealous character has been employed to unite us. What's needed
tell you again and that I had learned by an intercepted letter
according to the custom, it is that the fear and the small humiliation of being
left had a little disturbed the prudence of the austere devout and
had filled his heart and his head with feelings and ideas that, for
not to have common sense, were none the less interesting. It is
after these preliminaries necessary to know, that yesterday Thursday 28, day
prefix and given by the ungrateful, I introduced myself to her as a slave
timid and repentant, to come out as a crowned winner.
[48] ??Letters CXX and CXXII.
It was six o'clock in the evening when I arrived at the beautiful recluse,
for since his return his door had remained closed to everyone.
She tried to get up when I was announced, but her trembling knees
did not allow him to stay in this situation: she sat down again
right away. As the servant who had introduced me had to do
Some service in the apartment, she seemed impatient. We
We filled this interval with the usual compliments. But for nothing
losing time whose every moment was precious, I examined
carefully the local and, from then on, I looked at the theater of
my victory. I could have chosen a more convenient one because, in this
In the same room there was an Ottoman. But I noticed that in front
of her was a portrait of the husband and I was afraid I confess that with
a woman so singular a glance that chance would lead from this
The side did not destroy in a moment the work of so many cares. Finally U.S
I stayed alone and went into the matter.
After having briefly explained that Father Anselme had had to inform
reasons for my visit, I complained about the rigorous treatment
that I had experienced and I particularly pressed the _m�pris_
that they had testified to me. We defended ourselves as I expected and
as you expected, too, I based the proof on the
distrust and fear that I had inspired, on the scandalous sequel
which was followed, the refusal to answer my letters, the same one
to receive them, etc., etc. As we started a justification that
would have been easy, I thought I should interrupt and to make me
to forgive this abrupt way, I covered it immediately by a
cajolery: "If so many charms, have I resumed, have done on my
heart so profound a impression, so many virtues have none the less
done on my soul. Seduced, no doubt, by the desire to get closer to it,
I had dared to believe myself worthy of it. I do not blame you for having
judged otherwise, but I punished myself for my mistake. "As we kept the
silence of embarrassment, I continued: "I desired, madam, or
to justify yourself to me or to forgive you for wrongs
that you assume me, in order to at least finish with some
tranquility of the days to which I attach no more price since
you refused to embellish them. "
Here, however, we tried to answer: "My duty did not allow me

not ... "And the difficulty of completing the lie that duty required
did not finish the sentence. So I took the tone the most
tender: "It is true that it is me that you fled? - This departure
was necessary .-- And you are taking me away from you? - He must .-- And
forever? "" I must. "I do not need to tell you that
during this short dialogue the voice of tender prude was oppressed and
that his eyes did not rise up to me.
I thought it my duty to animate this languid scene a little; so, me

rising with the air of spite: "Your firmness," I say, "makes me
mine. Well! yes, madam, we will be separated, separated even
more than you think, and you will welcome at your leisure your
A little surprised by this tone of reproach, she wanted to reply:
"The resolution you've taken ...," she said .-- is only the effect
from my despair, I resumed with passion. You wanted me
be unhappy; I will prove to you that you have succeeded beyond
of your wishes. - I desire your happiness, "she replied. And the sound
his voice began to announce a strong enough emotion. Also,
hurrying to his knees and the dramatic tone you know me:
"Ah! cruel, I exclaimed, can there exist for me a happiness
that you do not share? Where do you find him far from you? Ah!
never! never! "I confess that by indulging myself at this point, I had a lot
counted on the help of tears; but either bad disposition or
perhaps only the effect of painful and continual attention that
I put on everything, it was impossible for me to cry.
Fortunately, I remembered that to subjugate a woman any means

was also good and that it was enough to surprise him by a big
movement so that the impression remained deep and favorable. I
thus, by terror, replaced the sensibility which was
defect, and for that, changing only the inflection of my voice and
keeping the same posture: "Yes," I continued, "I swear to your
feet, you own or die. "In pronouncing these last words,
our eyes met. I do not know what shy person
saw or thought to see in mine, but she got up scared and
escaped from my arms, of which I had surrounded her. It is true that I do not
did not take anything away because I had noticed many times that
scenes of desperation led too strongly, fell into ridicule
as soon as they became long, or left only
really tragic and that I was very far from wanting to take.
However, as she shied away from me, I added in a low tone and
sinister, but so that she could hear me: "Well! the death!"
I got up then, and keeping a moment silent, I threw on

she as at random, fierce glances that, to look
to be lost, were none the less clairvoyant and observant.
The unsteady maintenance, the high breathing, the contraction of all
the muscles, the shaking arms and half high, everything proved to me
enough that the effect was such that I had wanted to produce it; but like
in love nothing ends up that very close and that we were then
far enough from each other, it was necessary above all to get closer. This
was to achieve this I passed as soon as possible to an apparent
tranquility, to calm the effects of this violent state without
weaken the impression.
My transition was: "I am very unhappy. I wanted to live for

your happiness and I troubled him. I devote myself for your tranquility
and I trouble her again. "Then, with a composed air, but constrained:
"Excuse me ma'am; unaccustomed to the storms of passions, I know badly
to repress the movements. If I was wrong to indulge in it, think of
less than it is for the last time. Ah! calm down, calm down,
I implore you. "And during this long speech, I drew nearer
imperceptibly. "If you want me to calm down," replied the beautiful
frightened, so be yourself quieter. - Well yes, I
you promise, "I said to him. I added in a weaker voice, "If
the effort is great, at least it must not be long. But, I resumed
immediately with a misguided air, I came, is not it true for you
to make your letters? By grace, deign to take them back. This painful
sacrifice remains to me: do not leave me anything that can weaken my
courage. "And drawing from my pocket the precious collection:" Here he is, "said I,
this deceptive deposit of the assurances of your friendship! He tied me to the
life, take it back. Give yourself the signal that must separate me
from you for ever. "
Here the fearful lover yielded entirely to his tender anxiety: "But
Monsieur de Valmont, what have you and what do you mean? Approach
what you do today is not voluntary? Is not it
the fruit of your own reflections and are not they the ones you
have had yourself approved the necessary party that I followed by
duty? - Well! I resumed, this party decided mine .-- And what
is it? - The only one who can separate me from you, put an end to
My troubles .-- But, answer me, what is it? "There, I pressed her to
my arms without any defense, and judging by this forgetfulness
how well the emotion was strong and powerful: "Woman
adorable, "I said, risking enthusiasm," you have no idea
the love you inspire; you will never know how far
you were adored and how much more dear that feeling was to me
my existence! May all your days be fortunate and tranquil!
may they beautify themselves with all the happiness you have deprived me of!
Pay at least this heartfelt wish with regret, with a tear, and believe
that the last of my sacrifices will not be the most painful to my
heart. Farewell."
While I was talking like that, I felt his heart throb with
violence, I observed the alteration of the figure, I saw especially
the tears suffocate her, and yet flow only rarely and painfully.
It was only then that I decided to pretend to go away;
also, holding me back forcefully, "No, listen to me," she said.
warmly. "Leave me," I replied. "You will listen to me, I will.
You must flee, you must! "" No! "she exclaimed. To this last
she rushed or rather fell fainting between my arms. As
I still doubted so happy a success, I feigned a great fright,
but while frightening me, I drove her, or carried her to the place
previously designated for the field of my glory; and indeed, she does
returned to her that submissive and already delivered to her happy conqueror.
Until then, my beautiful friend, you will find me, I believe, a purity
of method that will please you, and you will see that I did not
dismissed in any way the true principles of this war we have
often noticed being so similar to each other. Judge me then as
Turenne or Frederic. I forced to fight the enemy, who did not want
than procrastinate; I gave myself by learned maneuvers, the choice
land and provisions; I was able to inspire safety
the enemy, to join him more easily in his retreat; I knew
to make terror succeed before coming into battle; I have nothing
put at random only by consideration of a great advantage in case of
success and certainty of resources in case of defeat; Finally, I did not
engaged the action only with a pension insured by which I could cover and
keep everything that I had conquered previously. It is, I believe,
everything we can do; but I'm afraid now, to have softened,
like Annibal, in the delights of Capua. That's what happened
since.
I was expecting that such a big event would not happen without
tears and despair of use; and if I noticed at first a little
more confusion and a kind of meditation, I attributed one
and the other in the state of prude: also, without taking care of these light
differences that I thought were purely local, I simply followed
the great road of consolation, well persuaded that as it happens
sensations would usually help feeling, and only one
action would do more than all speeches, that yet I did not neglect
not. But I found a really scary resistance, even less
by its excess than by the form in which it was shown.
Imagine a seated woman, with a still stiffness and a figure

invariable; having no air of thinking, listening, or hearing;
whose fixed eyes let tears escape,
but which flow without effort. That was Madame de Tourvel during my
speech; but if I tried to bring his attention back to me
caress, by the gesture even the most innocent, to this apparent apathy
immediately succeeded terror, suffocation, convulsions,
sobs and a few cries at intervals, but without an articulate word.
These crises returned several times and always stronger; the

even the last was so violent that I was utterly discouraged
and feared for a moment that he had won a useless victory. I am
folded on common places of use and in the number found
this one: "And you are in despair, because you have
does it make me happy? "At this word, the adorable woman turned to me,
and his figure, though still a little misplaced, had already already
resumed his celestial expression .-- "Your happiness! she tells me. "
Guess my answer .-- "Are you so happy?" I redoubled the
protests .-- "And happy by me!" I added the praises and the
tender words. As I spoke, all his limbs fell asleep;
she fell softly, leaning on her chair, and abandoning me
a hand that I had dared to take: "I feel," she says, "that this idea
console and comfort me. "
You think that, thus restored to the path, I did not leave her again; it was
really the good and maybe the only one. Also when I wanted to try
a second success, I first felt some resistance, and what
had happened previously made me wary: but having called for
my help this same idea of ??my happiness, I soon felt
favorable effects: "You are right," said the tender person; I
can not support my existence any more than it will serve you
make happy. I devote myself entirely to it: from that moment I give myself
to you and you will feel no refusal or regret from me. " It was
with that naive or sublime candor that she gave me her person and her
charms and she increased my happiness by sharing it. Drunkenness was
complete and reciprocal; and, for the first time, mine survived
pleasure. I only came out of his arms to fall to his knees, to
swear to him an eternal love; and, I must confess, I thought what
I was saying. Finally, even after we separated, his idea never left me
point and I needed to work to distract myself.
Ah! why are not you here to swing at least the charm of
the action by that of the reward? But I will not lose anything for
wait, is not it true? and I hope I can watch as
agreed between us, the happy arrangement that I proposed to you
in my last letter. You see that I am performing, and that, as
I promised you, my business will be advanced enough to be able to
give you some of my time. Hurry up so send back
your weighty Belleroche and leave there the sweet Danceny, for
only take care of me. But what are you doing so much at this
campaign that you do not answer me only? Do you know that I am
Would you scold? But happiness leads to indulgence. And
I do not forget that by placing myself in the number of your suitors I must
to submit me again to your little fantasies. Remember
however, that the new lover does not want to lose any old rights
of the friend.
Farewell, as formerly ... Yes, _adieu, my angel! I send you all the
kissing love.
_P.-S ._-- Do you know that Pr�van, at the end of his month of prison, was
forced to leave his body? Today is the news of everything
Paris. In truth, here he is cruelly punished for a wrong he did not have,
and your success is complete!
LETTER CXXVI
I would have answered you earlier, my kind child, if the fatigue of

my last letter had not made my pain, which again
private all these days from the use of my arm. I was in a hurry
to thank you for the good news you gave me from my
nephew, and I was no less able to do so on your behalf,
sincere congratulations. We are forced to truly recognize
there a stroke of Providence which, by touching one, also saved
the other. Yes, my dear dear, God, who only wanted to test you,
rescued you when your forces were exhausted; and despite
your little murmur, you have I believe, some thanksgiving
to render him. It's not that I do not feel very well that he would have
Was it more pleasant that this resolution came to you first,
and that that of Valmont would have been only the continuation; it even seems,
humanly speaking, that the rights of our sex would have been better
preserved, and we do not want to lose any! But what are these
light considerations, with the important objects found
full? Can we see whoever is saved from sinking complaining of not having
not had the choice of means?
You will soon feel, my dear daughter, that the penalties you
dread will alleviate themselves; and when they should survive
always and in their entirety, you will not feel less
would be even easier to bear than the remorse of crime
and contempt for oneself. Needlessly would I have spoken to you earlier
with this apparent severity: love is an independent feeling
that prudence can prevent, but that it can not overcome,
and who, once born, only dies of his beautiful death or defect
absolute of hope. It's the latter case, where you are, who
give me the courage and the right to freely tell you my opinion. he
is cruel to scare a desperate patient who is no longer susceptible
only consolations and palliatives; but it is wise to enlighten a
convalescent about the dangers he has run, to inspire him
caution he needs, and submission to advice that can
still be necessary to him.
Since you choose me for your doctor, it's like this that I
speaks to you and I tell you that the small inconveniences that you
feel now, and who, perhaps, require some remedies, do not
yet are nothing compared to the scary disease that is
healing assured. Then, as your friend, as the friend of a
reasonable and virtuous woman, I will allow myself to add that this
passion that had subjugated you, already so unfortunate by itself, the
became even more so by its object. If I believe what I am told,
my nephew, whom I confess to love perhaps with weakness and who unites in
effect many commendable qualities to many amenities, is neither
safe for women, and without fault towards them and puts
almost a price equal to seducing and losing them. I believe that
you would have converted it. No one, no doubt, was no longer
worthy: but so many others flattered themselves, whose hopes
disappointed, that I like it better than you are not reduced to this
resource.
Now consider, my dear beauty, that instead of so many dangers

you would have had to run, you will have, besides the rest of your consciousness
and your own tranquility, the satisfaction of being the main
because of the happy return of Valmont. For me, I do not doubt that this
for the most part, the work of your brave resistance,
and that a moment of weakness on your part might not have left my
nephew in an eternal bewilderment. I like to think so, and wish you
see thinking the same; you will find your first consolations, and
me, new reasons to love you more.
I'm waiting for you here in a few days, my kind girl, as you tell me
announce it. Come find peace and happiness in the same places
where you had lost it; come especially to rejoice with your tender
mother of having so happily kept the word that you had given her
to do nothing that was not worthy of her and of you!

LETTER CXXVII
If I did not answer, viscount, to your letter of the 19th, it's not that
I did not have the time; it's just she gave me
of the mood, and that I did not find him the common sense. I had
therefore thought he had nothing better to do than to leave it in oblivion;
but since you come back to it, that you seem to stick to the ideas
that it contains, and that you take my silence for a consent,
you have to tell me clearly my opinion.
I have sometimes been able to pretend to replace on my own

a seraglio; but he never agreed to be part of it. I thought
that you knew that. At least now that you can not
ignore it, you will easily judge how much your proposal had to
look ridiculous. Who me! I would sacrifice a taste, and again a
new taste, to take care of you? And how to deal with it?
while waiting in my turn, and submissive slave, the sublime favors
of your _Hautesse_. When, for example, you want to distract yourself
a moment of _charry unknown_ that _the adorable, heavenly_ Mrs
of Tourvel, has made you feel alone, or when you are afraid of
compromise, with the affectionate Cecile, the higher idea that
you are glad that she keeps you; then going down to
me, you will come there to seek less lively pleasures to the truth,
but without consequence; and your precious goodness, though a little rare,
will suffice for my happiness.
Certainly, you are rich, in good opinion of yourself; but

apparently I am not in modesty; because I'm looking at myself
I can not find myself fallen until then. It may be wrong
I have; but I warn you that I have many more.
I especially have that of believing that _the schoolboy, the sweetie_ Danceny,
only busy with me, sacrificing myself, without any merit,
a first passion, even before it has been satisfied, and
loving me finally as we love at his age, could despite his twenty years,
to work more efficiently than you to my happiness and my pleasures.
I would even allow myself to add that, if it came to me in fancy from him
give an assistant, it would not be you, at least for the moment.
And by what reasons, will you ask me? But first he

may well be none, because the whim that would make you
prefer, can also exclude you. I want, however, by
politeness, you motivate my opinion. It seems to me that you would have too many
sacrifices to make to me; and I, instead of having the recognition
that you would not fail to expect, I would be able to believe
that you should still me! You see that as far as one
on the other by our way of thinking, we can not get closer
in no way; and I'm afraid I do not need much time,
but a lot, before changing feeling. When I will be corrected,
I promise to warn you. Until then, trust me, do others
arrangements, and keep your kisses, you have so much to place them
better!...
"Goodbye, as formerly," do you say? But formerly, it seems to me,

you made a little more of me; you did not intend me
completely to the third roles, and especially you wanted to wait
that I had said yes before being sure of my consent. Find so
good that instead of saying to you too, goodbye as formerly, I tell you,
goodbye as now.
Your servant, Monsieur le Vicomte.
_Of the castle of ..., this 31st October 17 ** ._
LETTER CXXVIII
I only received yesterday, madam, your belated reply. She would have killed me
on the spot, if I had still had my existence in me; but another
He is the possessor, and this other is M. de Valmont. You see that I
do not hide anything from you If you must not find me worthy of your
friendship, I am less afraid of losing her than of surprising her. All
what I can tell you is that, placed by M. de Valmont between his
death or his happiness, I decided for this last party. I do not
boast of it, nor accuse me of it; I simply say what is.
You will easily feel, from this, what impression must have made me
your letter, and the harsh truths it contains. Do not believe
however, she may have caused me to regret
can never make me change my feelings or conduct. It's not
not that I have cruel moments; but when my heart is the most
torn, when I fear that I can no longer bear my torments, I
tell me: Valmont is happy; and everything disappears in front of this idea, or
rather, it changes everything into pleasures.
It is therefore to your nephew that I devoted myself; it is for him that

I lost myself. He became the sole center of my thoughts,
my feelings, my actions. As long as my life is needed
to her happiness she will be precious to me, and I will find her fortunate.
If some day he thinks otherwise, he will not hear from me
complaint or reproach. I already dared to fix my eyes on this fatal moment
and my party is taken.
Now you see how little of it must affect me the fear that you
seem to have one day M. de Valmont lose me; because before
to want it, so he will have stopped loving me, and what will
vain reproaches that I will not hear? Only he will be my judge. As
I will have lived only for him, it will be in him that my memory will rest;
and if he's forced to admit that I loved him, I'll be enough
justified.
You have come, madame, to read in my heart. I preferred the misfortune of

losing your esteem by my frankness for making me unworthy by
the debasement of the lie. I thought I owed this complete confidence
to your old kindness for me. Add one more word, could
to make you suspect that I have the pride to count on it again, when
on the contrary, I do myself justice by ceasing to claim it. I am with
respect, madam, your most humble and obedient servant.
_Paris, this 1st of November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXXIX
Tell me then, my beautiful friend, where can come this tone of sourness and
of persiflage that reigns in your last letter? What is
this crime that I committed, apparently without suspecting it, and who you
gives so much humor? I looked, reproach myself, for counting on
your consent before obtaining it; but I thought that what
could seem presumption for everyone, could not
never be taken, from you to me, only for confidence, and since
when does this feeling harm friendship or love? By bringing together
hope to desire, I only gave in to the natural impulse, which
makes us always place ourselves as close to happiness as possible
we are looking for; and you took for the effect of pride what
it was only my eagerness. I know very well that the use has
introduced, in this case, a respectful doubt; but you also know that
it is only a form, a simple protocol; and I was, it seems to me,
authorized to believe that these minute precautions were no longer
necessary between us.
It seems to me that this frank and free march, when it is

based on an old connection, is much better than the tasteless
cajolery, which so often weakens love. Perhaps, for the rest, the price
that I find in this way, does it come only from the one I attach
to the happiness she reminds me of; but by the same token, it would be more
painful to see you judge otherwise.
This is the only wrong I know, because I can not imagine

that you could think seriously that there was a woman in the
world that seemed better to you, let alone that I could
you appreciate as badly as you pretend to believe it. You, you are
watched, tell me about it, and you did not find yourself
fallen to this point. I think so, and that only proves that your
mirror is faithful. But could not you have concluded with more than
ease and justice, that for sure I had not judged so of you?
I vainly seek a cause for this strange idea. It seems to me

yet it holds, more or less closely, to the praise that I
I am allowed to give to other women. I infer at least
your assignment to meet the epithets _d'adorable, celestial,
endearing, which I used in speaking to you about Mme de Tourvel
or small Volanges. But do not you know that these words, plus
often taken at random only by reflection, express less the case than
we make the person, the situation in which we find ourselves
when one speaks? And if, in the very moment I was so keenly
affected or by one or the other, I did not want you
Not less; if I gave you a strong preference on both,
since at last I could not renew our first liaison until
prejudice to the other two, I do not think there is so much
subject of reproach.
It will not be more difficult for me to justify myself on the _charme

unknown, of which you seem to me a little shocked; because, first,
because it is unknown, it does not follow that he is stronger. Hey!
that could outweigh the delicious pleasures that only you
can you always make new ones, as always more lively? So I have
only meant that this one was of a kind that I did not have
still tried, but without pretending to assign him class; and I had
added, what I repeat today, that whatever it is, I will know
fight him and defeat him. I will be much more zealous if I
can see in this light work a tribute to offer you.
For little C�cile, I do not think it necessary to speak to you about it. You
did not forget that it was at your request that I took care of
this child, and I only wait for your leave to get rid of it. I have
may have noticed his ingenuousness and freshness; I could even believe it a
tense, because, more or less, we always enjoy ourselves
a little in his work; but surely she does not have enough
trust in no genre to fix the attention at all.
Now, my beautiful friend, I appeal to your justice, to your

first kindness to me; in the long and perfect friendship, to the whole
confidence that have since strengthened our ties: have I deserved the tone
rigorous that you take with me? But it will be easy for you
compensate when you want! Say only one word, and you'll see
if all the charms and attachments will hold me here, no
not a day, but a minute. I will fly at your feet and in your arms,
I will prove to you, a thousand times and in a thousand ways, that you are, that
you will always be the true sovereign of my heart.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; I'm waiting for your answer with a lot
alacrity.
_Paris, this 3rd of November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXXX
And why, my dear, do not you want to be my daughter?

Why do you seem to tell me that all correspondence will be
broken up between us? Is it to punish me for not having guessed what
was against all likelihood? or do you suspect me of having you
voluntarily afflicted? No, I know your heart too well, for
to believe that he thinks so of mine. Also the trouble that made me your
letter is much less relative to me than to yourself!
O my young friend! I tell you with sorrow; but you are too much
worthy of being loved, so that love will never make you happy. Hey!
what a really delicate and sensitive woman, did not find misfortune
in the same feeling that promised him so much happiness! Men
do they know how to appreciate the woman they own?
Not that many are honest in their processes

and constant in their affection; but among those, how many
few still know how to put themselves in unison with our hearts! Do not believe
no, my dear child, may their love be like ours. They
have the same drunkenness; often even they put more
of anger, but they do not know this worried eagerness,
this delicate solicitude, which produces in us these tender cares
and continuous, and whose sole object is always the beloved object.
The man enjoys the happiness he feels, and the wife of the one she
provides. This difference, so essential and so little noticed, influences
yet in a very sensitive way, on the totality of their conduct
respectively. The pleasure of one is to satisfy desires, that of
the other is above all to bring them into being. To please, is only for him
means of success; while for her it is success itself. And the
coquetry, so often reproached to women, is nothing else than
the abuse of this way of feeling, and thereby proves the reality.
Finally, this exclusive taste, which particularly characterizes love,
is in man a preference, which serves, at most, to increase a
pleasure that another object might weaken, but would not destroy
not; while in women, it's a deep feeling, which
not only destroys all foreign desire, but which, stronger than
Nature, and withdraws from her empire, only allows them to experience
repugnance and disgust, the very place where voluptuousness seems to arise.
And do not think that more or fewer exceptions,

and that we can cite, can successfully oppose these truths
General! They have as guarantor the public voice which, for men
only distinguished infidelity from inconstancy: distinction of which
they take advantage when they should be humiliated; and who, for
our sex, was never adopted only by those depraved women who
make it a shame, and to whom any means seems good, that they hope
to be able to save them from the painful feeling of their baseness.
I thought, my dear, that it might be useful to have

these reflections to oppose the chimerical ideas of perfect happiness
whose love never fails to mislead our imagination: hope
misleading, to which we still hold, even when we are forced to
to abandon it, and whose loss irritates and multiplies the sorrows already
too real, inseparable from a lively passion! This job will soften your
penalties or to reduce the number, is the only one that I want, that I
can fill right now. In the ills without remedies, the councils
can only relate to the plan. What I ask you
only it is to remember that to pity a patient is not
blame him. Eh! who are we to blame each other?
Leave the right to judge only the one who reads in hearts, and
I even dare to believe that in his paternal eyes, a host of virtues can
redeem a weakness.
But, I beg you, my dear friend, defend yourself above all from
these violent resolutions, which announce less force than an integer
discouragement; remember that by making another owner of your
Existence, to use your expression, you could not
however, frustrate your friends with what they had in advance, and
that they will never stop claiming.
Farewell, my dear daughter; think sometimes of your tender mother, and

believe that you will always be, and above all, the object of his most
dear thoughts.
_From the castle of ..., this 4 November 17 ** ._

LETTER CXXXI
At the right time, viscount, and I am more than happy with you this
time than the other; but now, let's talk about good friendship and
I hope to convince you that, for you as for me, the arrangement
that you seem to desire would be a real madness.
Have not you noticed yet that pleasure, which is indeed

the only motive for the meeting of the two sexes, however, is not enough
to form a bond between them? and that, if preceded by desire
which brings us together, is it not less followed by the disgust that repels? It is
a law of nature, which only love can change; and love in
do we have when we want? It's still necessary, and that would be
really embarrassing, if we had not noticed that fortunately
it was enough that it existed on one side. The difficulty has become
half of it less, and even without much to lose; in
Indeed, one enjoys the pleasure of loving, the other of that of pleasing, a
a little less lively to the truth, but to which I join the pleasure of deceiving,
what makes balance, and everything is arranged.
But tell me, Viscount, who of us two will be responsible for deceiving
the other! You know the story of these two rascals who recognized each other
playing: "We will not be anything," they said to each other, "let's pay the cards
by half "; and they left the game. Let's follow, believe me, this
cautious example, and do not lose together a time that we can
so use elsewhere.
To prove to you that here your interest decides me as much as mine,

and that I act neither by mood nor by caprice, I do not refuse you
the price agreed between us: I feel perfectly well that for a single
evening we will be enough rest; and I do not even doubt that we
do not know how to embellish it enough to see it end only with regret. But
let us not forget that this regret is necessary to happiness, and
sweet be our illusion, let's not believe it can be
sustainable.
You see that I am executing myself, and that without you

still be put in order with me: because, finally, I had to have the
first letter of heavenly prude; and yet, whether you
still hold, or that you have forgotten the conditions of a market that
you are interested perhaps less than you want me to believe,
I did not receive anything, absolutely nothing. However, or I'm wrong, or the
tender devotee must write a lot: what would she do when she is
alone? she surely does not have the good sense to distract herself. I will have
therefore, if I wished, some little reproaches to make you; but I
the silence, in compensation for a little mood that I had
maybe in my last letter.
Now, viscount, all I have to do is apply to you and

it is still as much for you as for me: it is to postpone a
moment, which I wish perhaps as much as you, but which I think
that the time must be delayed until my return to the city. On the one
on the other hand, we would not have the necessary freedom here; and, on the other,
I would have some risk running because it would only take a little bit of
jealousy to attach me more beautiful this sad Belleroche, who
yet only hangs on a thread. He's already fighting the
flanks to love me; it's to the point that now I put so many
malice that of prudence in the caresses of which I overload it. But in
same time, you see that it would not be a sacrifice to you
make! reciprocal infidelity will make the spell much more powerful.
Do you know that I sometimes regret that we are reduced

to these resources! In the time we loved each other because I believe
that it was love, I was happy; and you, viscount! ... But
why still take care of a happiness that can not come back? Not what
what you say is an impossible return. First, I would require
sacrifices that surely you could not or would not do to me,
and that it may well be that I do not deserve; and then, how do you
to stare? Oh! no, no, I do not just want to deal with this idea;
and despite the pleasure that I find at the moment to write to you, I like
much better to leave you abruptly.
Farewell, viscount.
_On the castle of ..., this 6 November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXXXII
Penetrated, madam, of your kindness to me, I would indulge myself

if I were not restrained, in a way, by the fear of profaning them
by accepting them. Why do I have to, when I see them so precious,
that I feel at the same time that I am no longer worthy? Ah! I dare
at least you express my gratitude for it; I will especially admire
this indulgence of virtue, which knows our weaknesses only for
sympathize and whose powerful charm keeps on hearts an empire so
sweet and strong, even beside the charm of love.
But can I still deserve a friendship that is no longer enough for my

happiness? I say the same of your advice; I feel the price and can not
to follow them. And how can I not believe in perfect happiness, when
I'm experiencing it right now? Yes, if men are the same as you
say, they must flee, they are hateful; but then Valmont is
far from being like them! If he has like them this violence of passion
what you call anger, how much is not surpassed in him
by the excess of delicacy! O my friend! you talk to me about sharing
my sorrows, then enjoy my happiness; I owe it to love, and
how much more the object increases the price! You love your nephew,
do you say, perhaps with weakness? Ah! if you knew him as
me! I love him with idolatry and much less than he deserves.
He may have been involved in some errors, he agrees
himself; but who ever knew like him true love? that
can I tell you more? he feels it as he inspires it.
You are going to believe that this is one of those chimerical ideas of which
love never fails to overuse our imagination_: but in this case,
why would he become more tender, more eager, since he did not
nothing more to get? I'll admit it, I used to find him an air
of reflection, of reserve, who rarely abandoned him and who often
brought back, in spite of me, to the false and cruel impressions that
data from him. But since he can indulge without constraint to
movements of his heart, he seems to guess all the desires of mine.
Who knows if we were not born for each other! if this happiness
I was not reserved to be necessary to his! Ah! if it's a
illusion, so I die before she finishes. But no; I can
to live to cherish him, to adore him. Why would he stop loving me?
What other woman would he make happier than me? And, I feel it
by myself; this happiness that is born is the strongest link, the
the only one that really binds. Yes, it's that delicious feeling that
ennobles love, which purifies it in some way and makes it truly
worthy of a tender and generous soul, like that of Valmont.
Farewell, my dear, my respectable, my indulgent friend. I would like to

vain to write to you any longer: this is the hour he promised to come
and every other idea abandons me. Sorry! but you want my happiness,
and he is so great at this moment that I scarcely feel it.
_Paris, this 7th of November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXXXIII
What, my dear friend, are these sacrifices that you consider

I would not do it, and yet the price would be to please you?
Just let me know and if I balance to offer them,
I allow you to refuse the tribute. Eh! how do you judge me
for some time, if, even in your indulgence, you doubt
my feeling or my energy? Sacrifices that I would not want or
could not do! So, do you believe me in love, subjugated? and
the price I put to success, you suspect me of attaching it to the
nobody? Ah! thanks to Heaven, I'm not reduced to it yet, and I
offers me to prove it to you. Yes, I will prove it to you, even if this
should be towards Mme de Tourvel. Surely, after that, he must
you do not remain doubtful.
I could, I believe without compromising myself, give some time to a

woman who has at least the merit of being of a kind that we meet
rarely. Maybe also the off season in which came this
adventure, made me give myself more to it; and again now, that
hardly the big current begins to resume, it is not surprising
that she occupies me almost entirely. But remember that there is hardly
only eight days that I enjoy the fruit of three months of care. I am
so often stopped more at what was worth much less and had me
not so much cost! ... and you have never concluded anything against me.
And then, do you want to know the real cause of the eagerness that
I put in? there she is. This woman is naturally shy; in the
first time she doubted her happiness, and this doubt
was enough to disturb him: so that I can barely begin to
notice how far my power is in this respect. It's something that
I was curious to know, and the opportunity is not there
easily believe it.
First, for many women, pleasure is always fun,
and never is that; and with those, of any title
we are decorated, we are only factors, simple
commissionaires, whose activity is all the merit and among
which one who does the most is always the one who does the best.
In another class, perhaps the most numerous today, the

celebrity of the lover, the pleasure of having removed it to a rival, the
fear of seeing it removed in turn, occupy the women almost
whole; we enter well, more or less, for something
in the kind of happiness they enjoy; but it's more about
circumstances only to the person. It comes to them through us and not from us.
It was therefore necessary to find for my observation, a delicate woman and

sensitive, who made his only affair of love, and who, in love
even he saw only his lover; whose emotion, far from following the road
ordinary, always left the heart to reach the senses; that I saw,
for example (and I'm not talking about the first day), get out of the fun
all weeping and, the next moment, to find the voluptuousness in a word
who answered his soul. Finally she had to gather this
natural candor, become insurmountable by the habit of engaging in it,
and that does not allow him to hide any of the feelings of his heart.
But you will agree, such women are rare and I can believe
that without it I may never have met.
It would not be surprising if she stared at me longer than

other, and if the work I want to do on it requires that I
make me happy, perfectly happy, why would I refuse to
especially when it serves me, instead of annoying me? But from that
that the mind is busy, does it follow that the heart is a slave? No,
without a doubt. Also the price that I do not forbid to put on this
adventure will not stop me from running others, or even
sacrifice to more enjoyable.
I am so free that I did not neglect the little girl

Volanges, to which, however, I hold so little. His mother brings her back to
the city in three days, and me, since yesterday I knew how to ensure my
communications: some money to the doorman and some flowers to
his wife did it. Do you conceive that Danceny did not
Did you find this way so simple? and then, let's say that love makes
ingenious! he stupefies, on the contrary those he dominates. And I would not know
not defend myself! Ah! keep calm. Already I will shortly
days, weaken by sharing it, the impression may be too bright
that I have experienced, and if a simple sharing is not enough, I
multiply.
I will be ready to hand over the young resident to her

discreet lover as soon as you think fit. It seems to me that you
have no reason to stop it, and I agree to return
this service reported to poor Danceny. That's really the least I
he owes it to all those whom he has restored to me. He is currently in the
great anxiety to know if it will be received at Madame de Volanges's; I the
calm as much as I can, assuring him that, somehow I
will make his happiness on the first day, and, in the meantime, I continue to
to load correspondence, which he wants to pick up when _sa
C�cile_. I already have six letters from him, and I'll have one more or
two before the happy day. This boy must be idle!
But let's leave this childish couple and come back to us; that I can
to occupy myself only with the hope so sweet that your letter has given me.
Yes, no doubt you will fix me, and I will not forgive you for
doubt. Have I never stopped being constant for you? Our links
have been settled and not broken; our supposed break was not
that an error of our imagination: our feelings, our interests
are not less united. Similar to the traveler who comes back undeceived,
I will recognize, like him, that I had left happiness to run
after hope, and I will say as D'Harcourt:
The more strangers I see, the more I loved my country.
[49] Du Belloi, _Tragedia of the siege of Calais_.
So do not fight the idea or rather the feeling that brings you back
to me, and having tried all the pleasures in our shopping
different, enjoy the happiness of feeling that none of them are
comparable to the one we had experienced, and that we will find
more delicious again.
Goodbye, my lovely friend. I agree to wait for your return: but

so press it and do not forget how much I want it.
LETTER CXXXIV
In truth Viscount, you are well like children, in front of whom he does not
must say nothing and to whom we can not show anything they do not want
to seize it immediately! A simple idea that comes to me, to which even
I warn you that I do not want to stop because I tell you
speak, you abuse it to bring back my intention, to fix myself there
when I try to distract myself from it, and, in a way,
share in spite of me your stunned desires. Is he so generous,
you, to let me alone bear all the burden of prudence?
I repeat it to you, and repeat it to me more often, the arrangement
that you propose to me is really impossible. When you put it
all the generosity that you show me right now, do you believe
that I do not have my delicacy and that I want to accept
sacrifices that would hurt your happiness?
But is it true, viscount, that you deceive yourself about the feeling
who attaches you to Madame de Tourvel? It's love, or it did not exist
never: you deny it well in a hundred ways, but you prove it
thousand. What, for example, this subterfuge you use
vis-�-vis yourself (because I believe you sincerely with me), who you
brought back to the desire to observe the desire that you can neither
hide, nor fight, to keep this woman? Would not we say that
Have you ever made another happy, perfectly happy?
Ah! if you doubt it, you have very little memory! But no, this
is not that. Your heart is simply abusing your mind and the
makes bad things happen; but I, who have a great interest in
do not be fooled, I'm not so easy to please.
That's how by noticing your politeness, which made you delete
carefully all the words that you imagined have me
displeased, however, I saw that perhaps without you noticing it, you
but keep the same ideas. Indeed, it is no longer
the adorable, celestial Madame de Tourvel, but it is _an astonishing woman,
a delicate and sensitive woman, and that to the exclusion of all
other; _a rare woman finally_ and such that one would not meet
a second_. It is the same with this unknown charm that is not
_The Strongest_. Well! either: but since you never had it
found until then, it is safe to believe that you would not find it
more in the future, and the loss you would make would be no less
irreparable. Or these are, viscount, assured symptoms of love, or
we must give up trying to find none.
Rest assured that this time, I speak to you without mood. I am

promised not to take any more; I recognized too well that she could
become a dangerous trap. Believe me, let's be friends and let's stay
the. Know me only of my courage to defend myself; yes, from my
courage, because sometimes it is necessary, even to avoid taking a party
that we feel bad.
It is therefore only to bring you back in my opinion by persuasion that

I will answer the request you make me about the sacrifices that
I would demand and you could not do it. I am using purposefully
this word _exiger_, because I'm sure that, in a moment, you
I will indeed find it too demanding: but all the better! Far from me
to be angry with your refusals, I will thank you for it. Look, it's not with
you want me to hide, I may need it.
I would demand, see cruelty! that this rare, this amazing

Madame de Tourvel was no more for you than an ordinary woman, a woman
as it is only: because we must not be deceived, this charm
that we believe to find in others, it is in us that it exists, and
it is love alone that embellishes so much the beloved object. What I am
ask there, impossible as it may be, you might do well
the effort to promise it to me, even to swear it to me; but, I admit, I
would not believe vain talk. I could not be persuaded that
by all of your driving.
That's not all, I'll be capricious. This sacrifice of

little Cecile, whom you offer me so gracefully, I do not
not worry at all. I would ask you to continue
this painful service until further notice from me; I love you
to abuse thus my empire; either, more indulgent or more just,
it is enough for me to dispose of your feelings, without wishing to contradict your
pleasures. Anyway, I would like to be obeyed, and my orders
would be very rigorous!
It is true that then I would think myself obliged to thank you; than
we know, perhaps even to reward you. Surely, for example,
I would abstain from an absence that would become unbearable to me. I you
I'll see you again, Viscount, and I'll see you again ... how?
you remember that this is just a conversation, a simple story
an impossible project, and I do not want to forget it alone ...
Do you know that my lawsuit worries me a little? I finally wanted to know

just what were my means; my lawyers quote me a few
laws, and especially many _autorities_, as they call them: but
I do not see so much reason and justice. I'm almost at
to fear having refused the accommodation. However, I reassure myself,
thinking that the prosecutor is clever, the lawyer eloquent, and the
pretty litigator. If these three means were no longer worth
should change the whole train of business, and what would become of the
respect for old uses!
This trial is currently the only thing holding me here. that

de Belleroche is finished: out of court, compensated costs. He is at
regret the ball tonight; it is the regret of an idle man! I
will restore his complete liberty upon my return to the city. I make him
this painful sacrifice, and I am consoled by the generosity
find.
Farewell, viscount, write to me often: the detail of your pleasures

will at least partly compensate for the trouble I am experiencing.
LETTER CXXXV
I'm trying to write to you, without knowing if I can. Ah!

God, when I think that my last letter was the excess of my
happiness that prevented me from continuing it! It's the one of my despair
which overwhelms me now; which only leaves me to feel
pains, and deprives me of expressing them.
Valmont ... Valmont does not love me anymore, he never loved me. love
do not go that way. He deceives me, he betrays me, he insults me. All
what can be reunited with misfortunes and humiliations, I feel them, and
it is from him that they come to me.
And do not think it's just a hint: I was so far from

to have! I do not have the happiness to be able to doubt. I saw it: that
could he tell me to justify himself? But what does it matter to him? he ... not
only tempt him ... Unhappy! what will your reproaches do to him
and your tears? it's good of you that he takes care! ...
So it is true that he sacrificed me, delivered even ... and to whom?

vile creature ... But what am I saying? Ah! I lost the right to
despise her. She betrayed less homework, she is less guilty
than me. Oh! that pain is painful, when it is based on the
remorse! I feel my torments redoubling. Goodbye, my dear friend;
how unworthy I am of your pity, you will have some
however for me, if you can form the idea of ??what I
suffers.
I just reread my letter, and I realize that it can not

to instruct from nothing; so I will try to have the courage of you
tell this cruel event. It was yesterday; I had for the first
time since my return, dinner out of my house. Valmont came to me
to see at five o'clock; he had never seemed so tender to me. He made me
to know that my plan to go out annoyed him, and you feel that
I soon had the one to stay at home. However, two hours later,
and all of a sudden, his air and his tone changed noticeably. I do not know
if I have escaped anything that may have displeased him; whatever he
in itself, shortly after, he claimed to remember a case that
forced him to leave me, and he went away, but it was not without
to have expressed to me very lively regrets, which seemed to me tender, and
that then I believed sincere.
Made to myself, I thought it more convenient not to dispense

of my first engagements, since I was free to fill them. I
I finished my toilet and got in the car. Unfortunately my coachman
put me in front of the Opera, and I found myself in the embarrassment of
exit; I saw four steps in front of me, and in the line beside
mine, Valmont's car. The heart beat me immediately, but
was no fear; and the only idea that occupied me was the desire
that my car was moving forward. Instead, it was his
forced to retreat and who was next to mine. I stepped forward
on the spot: what was my astonishment to find at his side a
girl, well known for such! I withdrew, as you may think,
and that was enough to annoy my heart, but what you
you can hardly believe it is that this same girl, apparently educated
by an odious confidence, did not leave the door of the car,
never stopped looking at me, with bursts of laughter to make scene.
In the annihilation of which I was, I let myself be led in

the house where I had to eat: but it was impossible for me to stay there;
I felt every moment, ready to faint, and especially I do not
could hold back my tears.
On returning, I wrote to M. de Valmont, and sent him my letter

immediately; he was not at home. Wanting at any price,
get out of this state of death, or confirm it forever, I sent back with
order to wait for him: but before midnight my servant came back to me
saying that the coachman, who was back, had told him that his master
would not come back from the night. I thought this morning to have no other
only to ask him for my letters again and beg him to stop
come home. I have given orders accordingly; but,
no doubt they were useless. It is near noon; he did not
point still presented, and I have not even received a word from him.
Now, my dear friend, I have nothing more to add: here you are
educated, and you know my heart. My only hope is to have no
not long yet to afflict your sensitive friendship.
LETTER CXXXVI
No doubt, sir, after what happened yesterday, you do not

wait more to be received at home, and no doubt also you wish
a little strong! This note is therefore less for the purpose of asking you to
more coming than to ask you for letters that would never have
should exist and who, if they could have interested you for a moment, like
evidence of the blindness that you had given birth, can not
that you are indifferent now that it is dispelled, and that they
only express a feeling that you have destroyed.
I acknowledge and admit that I was wrong to take in you a

confidence that so many others before me had been the victims; in
that I only accuse myself: but I thought I did not have at least
deserved to be delivered by you, in contempt and insult. I thought
that in sacrificing everything to you, and losing for you alone my rights to
the esteem of others and mine, I could expect however
not to be judged by you more severely than by the public, whose
the opinion separates again by an immense interval, the weak woman of
the depraved woman. These wrongs, which would be those of everyone, are
the only ones I'm talking about. I am silent on those of love; your
heart would not hear mine. Goodbye, sir.
LETTER CXXXVII
It only happens, madame, to return your letter to me; I shuddered in

reading it, and it hardly leaves me the strength to answer it. What
awful idea do you have of me! Ah! no doubt, I have wrongs;
and such as I will not forgive myself in my life, even if you
cover up your indulgence. But that those whom you reproach me have
always been far from my soul! Who me! you humble! you debase!
when I respect you as much as I cherish you; when I did
known pride only from the moment you judged me worthy of you! The
appearances have disappointed you; and I agree that they may have been against
me: but did not you have in your heart what was needed for
to fight them? and did not he revolt at the mere idea that he could
have to complain about mine? You believed it though! So, no
only you have judged me capable of this atrocious delirium, but you have
I even fear that you will be exposed to it by your kindness to me. Ah! if
you are degraded to this point by your love, so I am
Is it really bad for me?
Oppressed by the painful feeling that this idea causes me, I

loses to push it back the time that I should use to destroy it.
I will admit everything: another consideration holds me back. Should
so retrace facts that I would like to annihilate, and fix your
attention and mine on a moment of error that I would like to redeem
the rest of my life, whose cause I am still developing, and whose
the memory must forever be my humiliation and my despair? Ah!
if by accusing me, I must excite your anger, you will not have to
less to look far for your revenge; you'll just have to give me
my remorse.
However, who would believe it? this event is primarily due to

Almighty charm that I feel near you. It was he who
for a long time forgotten an important business, which could not be
recover. I left you too late, and no longer found the person
I was going to fetch. I was hoping to join her at the Opera, and my approach
was likewise fruitless. �milie I found there, that I knew
in a time when I was far from knowing neither you nor love,
Emily did not have her car and asked me to put her back at home.
four steps away. I saw no consequence, and I consented. But
it was then that I met you; and I felt on the spot that you
would be inclined to judge me guilty.
The fear of displeasing you or distressing you is so powerful on

me that she had to be and was indeed soon noticed. I admit
that she made me attempt to induce this girl not to show herself; this
Precaution of delicacy turned against love. Accustomed, as
all those of his condition, to be sure of an empire always usurped
that by the abuse they allow themselves to make, �milie kept well
to let go of such a brilliant opportunity. Plus she saw my
embarrassment to increase, the more she affected to show herself; and her crazy
gaiety, of which I blush that you could for a moment believe you the object,
had no cause but the cruel pain that I felt, who herself
still came from my respect and my love.
Until then, no doubt, I am more unhappy than guilty; and these

wrongs, which would be those of everyone, and the only ones you
Speak, these wrongs do not exist, can not be reproached to me. But
you are silent in vain on those of love: I will not keep on
they have the same silence; too much interest makes me break it.
It's not that, in the confusion where I am of this inconceivable

misplaced, I can without pain, take on me from
recall the memory. Penetrated of my wrongs, I would consent to
to bear the pain, or I will wait for my forgiveness of time, of my eternal
tenderness and my repentance. But how can I be silent, when this
What remains to me to say to you matters to your delicacy?
Do not think I'm looking for a detour to excuse or palliate my

fault; I confess guilty. But I do not confess, I'll never admit
that this humiliating error can be regarded as a wrong
love. Eh! what can there be in common between a surprise of the senses,
between a moment of forgetfulness of oneself, which shame and
regret, and a pure feeling, which can only be born in a soul
delicate, and support it only by esteem, and of which finally happiness
is the fruit! Ah! do not profane thus love. Be especially afraid of
to profane yourself by bringing together, from the same point of view,
which can never be confused. Let vile and degraded women
to fear a rivalry which they feel despite themselves
to experience the torments of an equally cruel and humiliating jealousy:
but you turn your eyes away from those objects that would soil your
looks; and, pure as Divinity, as she too punish
the offense without feeling it.
But what pain will you impose on me, which is more painful to me than
the one I feel? which can be compared to the regret of having you
displeased, in despair at having afflicted you, at the overwhelming idea of
to have made myself less worthy of you? You take care of punishing! and me,
I ask you for consolations: not that I deserve them; but because
that they are necessary to me, and that they can only come to me
you.
If, suddenly, forgetting my love and yours, and not putting any more
price to my happiness, you want on the contrary to give me a pain
eternal, you have the right to it; strike: but if more indulgent,
or more sensitive, you still remember those tender feelings
who united our hearts; this voluptuousness of the soul always reborn
and always more keenly felt; those days so sweet, so fortunate, that
each of us owed to the other; all these goods of love and that
he alone procures; may you prefer the power to make them
to be reborn to that of destroying them. What shall I say to you at last? I have
everything
lost, and all lost by my fault; but I can recover everything by your
benefits. It's up to you now. I only add one more
word. Yesterday again you swore to me that my happiness was of course so much
that he would depend on you! Ah! madam, do you indulge me today in a
eternal despair!
LETTER CXXXVIII
I persist, my beautiful friend: no, I am not in love; and this is

my fault if circumstances force me to play the part.
Only consent and come back; you will soon see for yourself,
how sincere I am. I proved myself yesterday, and they do not
can be destroyed by what is happening today.
So I was at the tender prudish, and I was there without any other
case: because the small Volanges, in spite of its state, had to pass all
the night at Mrs. V's early ball ... Idleness had made me want
first to extend this evening, and I had even about it, demanded a
a small sacrifice; but hardly was it granted, that the pleasure that I
promised was troubled by the idea of ??this love that you are stubborn
to believe me, or at least to reproach me; so that I did not feel
no more desire than that of being able to both assure you and you
to convince yourself that it was pure slander on your part.
So I took a violent party and under a rather light pretext I

left there my beautiful, all surprise and probably even more distressed.
But I went quietly to join �milie at the Opera; and she
could you realize that until this morning that we got
separated, no regret has disturbed our pleasures.
I had a pretty good cause for concern if my perfect

indifference did not save me: for you will know that I was scarcely
four houses of the Opera, and having Emilie in my car, than that
the austere devotee came exactly to put mine away, and an embarrassment
happened about half an hour left next to one of
the other. We saw each other at noon and there was no way to escape.
But that's not all; I decided to confide to �milie that this was the
woman to the letter. (You may recall that madness,
and that Emily was the desk [50].) She who had not forgotten her,
and who is laughing, never ceased to have considered everything
that virtue, "she said, and that with laughter from a
scandal to give a mood.
[50] Letters XLVI and XLVII.

That's not all: the jealous woman did not send me home
from the very evening? I was not there: but, in her obstinacy, she
sent a second time with orders to wait for me. Me, as soon as I had
was decided to stay at Emilie's place, I had sent back my car without
another order to the coachman to come and pick me up this morning; and as in
When he arrived at my house he found the messenger lover there, he thought it all
simple
to tell him that I would not come back from the night. You guess well
the effect of this news, and that on my return I found my leave
meant with all the dignity that the circumstance entailed.
So this adventure, interminable according to you, could have, like you

see, be finished this morning; if it is not, it is not
point, as you will believe, that I put the price to continue,
it is because, on the one hand, I did not find it decent to let myself leave;
and, on the other, that I wished to reserve for you the honor of this sacrifice.
So I answered the stern note with a great epistle of sentiments;

I gave long reasons and rested on the love of care
to make them find good. I already succeeded. I just received
a second note, always very rigorous and which confirms the eternal
break, as it should be, but whose tone is no longer
the same. Especially we do not want to see me anymore: this bias is announced
four times in the most irrevocable way. I concluded that there
had not a moment to lose to introduce myself. I already sent my
hunter to seize the Swiss, and in a moment, I'll go myself
to sign my pardon: because in the wrongs of this species, there is no
only one formula that carries a general absolution, and that one does not
only sent in presence.
Farewell my lovely friend, I run to try this great event.
LETTER CXXXIX
That I reproach myself, my sensitive friend, for having spoken to you too much and
too much
early in my transient sentences! I am causing you to grieve at
this; these sorrows that come from me, last still, and me
I am happy. Yes, everything is forgotten, forgiven; let's say better, everything
is repaired. In this state of pain and anguish succeeded the calm
and the delights. Oh! joy of my heart, how to express yourself! Valmont
is innocent, one is not guilty with so much love. These wrongs
serious, offensive, that I reproached him with so much bitterness, he did not
had not, and if, on one point I needed indulgence,
Had I not also my injustice to repair?
I will not give you the details of the facts or the reasons
justify; maybe even the mind would appreciate them badly: it's at
only the heart to feel them. If, however, you had to
to suspect weakness, I would call your judgment in support of the
mine. For men, tell yourself, infidelity is not
inconstancy.
It's not that I only feel this distinction, that in vain

the opinion authorizes, does not hurt the delicacy any less: but of what
would complain of mine, when that of Valmont suffers even more?
That same wrong that I forget, do not believe that he forgives himself or
console, and yet how much has he not repaired this slight fault by
the excess of his love and that of my happiness!
Or my happiness is greater, or I feel better the price since

I feared to have lost it: but what I can tell you is
that, if I felt the strength to bear sorrows too
cruel than those I just experienced, I would not believe in buying
Too expensive the extra happiness I've had since. O! my darling
mother, scold your ill-considered daughter, for having afflicted you too much
precipitation; scold her for judging rashly and slanderous
the one she was not to stop worshiping; but, recognizing
be reckless, see her happy, and increase her joy by sharing her.
Paris, this 15th of November, 17th, in the evening.
LETTER CXL
How is it, my dear friend, that I do not receive any

answer from you? My last letter, however, seemed to deserve
one, and since three days that I should have received it, I wait for it
again! I am sorry at least; also will I not speak to you at all
of my big business.
That the reconciliation has had its full effect; instead of reproach
and of mistrust, he produced only new tenderness; that this
I am currently receiving apologies and reparations due
to my suspected candor, I will not say a word to you, and without the event
last night, I would not write to you at all. But
like this one look at your ward and that presumably she does not
will not be in the case of informing you itself, at least of some
time, I take care of this care.
For reasons you will guess or guess, Ms.

de Tourvel had not occupied me for a few days, and as these
reasons could not exist in the small Volanges, I was
became more assiduous with her. Thanks to the obliging doorman, I
had no obstacle to defeat, and we were leading, your ward and
me, a convenient and regulated life. But the habit brings negligence:
the first few days we had never taken enough precautions to
our safety; we were still shaking behind the bolts. Yesterday, a
incredible distraction caused the incident which I have to instruct you,
and if, for my account, I was left for fear, it costs
more expensive to the little girl.
We were not sleeping, but we were in rest and surrender

follow the voluptuousness, when we heard the door of the room
open suddenly. Immediately I jump on my sword, so much for my
defense only for that of our common ward; I go forward and do not see
nobody; but, in fact, the door was open. Since we had
the light I have been looking for and have found a living soul. So
I remembered that we had forgotten our ordinary precautions,
and probably the door, thrust only or badly closed, had
re-opened of herself.
Going to join my shy companion to calm her, I do not

I found it more in bed; she had fallen or fled
in her alley: at last she was lying there without knowledge and without
other motion than strong enough convulsions. Judge of my embarrassment!
But I managed to put her back into bed and even to do it
return; but she was hurt in her fall, and she did not delay
to feel the effects.
Kidney problems, violent colic, symptoms less

misunderstandings I was soon enlightened about his condition: but, for
to teach him, first we had to tell him where she was
previously, because she did not suspect it. Never, perhaps, until
she had not preserved so much innocence by doing so well
it was necessary to get rid of it. Oh! that one does not waste his time
reflect!
But she was losing a lot of grief, and I felt that he

had to take a party. So I agreed with her that I would go
on the spot to the doctor and surgeon of the house, and that
warning them that we were going to pick them up, I would entrust them
everything under the secret; that she on her side, would ring the woman
of room; whether she would do it or not,
as she would like, but that she would send for help and
would defend especially that one woke Mme de Volanges, delicate attention
and natural of a girl who fears to worry her mother.
I did my two races and my two faiths most quickly

that I could, and from there I went home, from where I am not
still out; but the surgeon, whom I knew by the way, is
came at noon to report to me the condition of the patient. I did not
deceived; but he hopes that if there is no accident, we do not
will not notice anything in the house. The maid is secret;
the doctor has given a name to the disease, and this case will work out
like a thousand others, unless, afterwards, it does not help us
we talk about it.
But is there still some common interest between you and me? Your
silence would make me doubt it; I would not even believe it at all if the
desire that I have it made me look for all the means to keep
hope.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; I kiss you, resentful rancor.
_Paris, this 21st of November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXLI

My God, Viscount, how you embarrass me by your obstinacy! That you
Does my silence matter? Do you believe, if I keep it, whether it's for lack of
reasons to defend me? Ah! please God! But no, it's only
it costs me to tell you.
Tell me true; are you deluding yourself or are you looking for
to deceive me? The difference between your speeches and your actions does not
leaves choice between these two feelings: which is the real one?
What do you want me to say to you, when I myself do not know
think?
You seem to be doing you a great deal of credit for your last scene with
the president, but what is it that proves for your system
or against mine? Surely I never told you that you liked
enough this woman not to deceive her, not to seize all
opportunities that would appear to you pleasant or easy; I do not
did not even doubt that it was almost equal to you to satisfy with
another, with the first coming, to the desires that this one alone
would have arisen, and I'm not surprised that for a debauchery
mind you would be wrong to argue, you did it once
by project what you had done a thousand more times per occasion. who
do not know that this is the simple current of the world and your use to all
as long as you are from the scoundrel to the species! The one who
is absent nowadays passes for romantic, and it is not there, I
believe, the fault that I blame you.
But what I said, what I thought, what I still think is

that you have none the less love for your president; not,
in truth, pure and tender love, but of that which
you can have; of one, for example, that makes finding a woman
the amenities or qualities that it does not have; who places her in a
class apart and put all others in second order; who holds you
still attached to her, even while you outrage her; such that
I understand that a sultan can feel it for his favorite sultana, this
which does not prevent him from preferring a simple odalisque. My
comparison seems all the more right to me since, like him, you never
are not the lover or the friend of a woman, but always his tyrant or
his slave. So am I sure you humbled yourself,
well debased, to return in grace with this beautiful object, and, too happy
to have succeeded, as soon as you believe the moment arrives to get your
Forgive me, you leave me for this great event.
In your last letter, if you do not talk to me about this

only woman, is that you do not want to say anything to me about it?
big business_; they seem so important to you that the silence
that you keep on it seems like a punishment for me. And it's
after these thousand proofs of your preference decided for another than
you quietly ask if there is still some common interest
between you and me_? Take care, vicomte! if once I answer, my
answer will be irrevocable, and fearing to do it right now is
maybe already say too much. So I do not want to talk about it anymore.
All I can do is tell you a story.

Maybe you will not have time to read it or to do it
enough attention to hear it well? free to you. It will not be
worse, a lost story.
A man of my acquaintance had become entangled, like you, with a woman
which did him little honor. He had, by the meantime, the good
mind to feel that sooner or later this adventure would hurt him,
but, although he blushed, he did not have the courage to break. His
embarrassment was all the greater because he boasted to his friends
to be completely free and that he was not unaware that the ridiculous
it always increases in proportion as one defends it. He was passing
his life, constantly doing nonsense and constantly saying after:
_It's not my fault_. This man had a friend who was tempted a
time to deliver it to the public in this state of intoxication and thus to render
his indelible ridicule; but nevertheless, more generous than malignant, or
perhaps for some other reason, she wanted to try one last
way to be, at any event, in the case of saying like his friend:
_It's not my fault_. So she sent him without any other
notice the following letter, as a remedy whose use could be
useful to his evil.
"One is bored with everything, my angel, it is a law of nature; it's not

not my fault.
"So if I'm bored today of an adventure that has occupied me

entirely since four deadly months, it's not my fault.
"If, for example, I had just as much love as you from virtue, and
it is surely a lot to say, it is not surprising that one has finished
at the same time as the other. It's not my fault.
"It follows from this that for some time I have deceived you, but also your
pitiless tenderness forced me in some way! This is not my
fault.
"Today, a woman I love desperately demands that I sacrifice you.

It's not my fault.
"I feel that this is a good opportunity to cry perjury; but

if nature has given men only confidence, while
gave women obstinacy, it's not my fault.
"Believe me, choose another lover, as I did another

mistress. This advice is good, very good; if you find it bad, this
It's not my fault.
"Farewell, my angel, I have taken you with pleasure, I leave you without regret;
I will come back to you perhaps. SO goes the world. It's not my fault."
To tell you, viscount, the effect of this last attempt and what
followed, it's not the moment, but I promise you
say in my first letter. You will also find my _ultimatum_
on the renewal of the treaty that you propose to me. Until then, goodbye
quite simply...
By the way, I thank you for your details on the little Volanges; it is
an article to be reserved until the day after the wedding for the Gazette de
slander. In the meantime, I offer you my compliment of condolence on
the loss of your posterity. Good evening, Viscount.

LETTER CXLII
Well, my good friend, I do not know if I have misread or misunderstood, and

your letter, and the story you make to me, and the little model
epistolary that was included. What I can tell you is that this
Last seemed to me original and apt to make an impression; also I have it
simply copied, and just still I sent it to the
heavenly president. I did not lose a moment because the tender missive
was shipped yesterday evening. I preferred it that way, because
first I promised to write to him, and then because I
thought she would not have too much of all night to collect herself
and meditate on this great event, if you were a second time
reproach the expression.
I hoped to be able to send you back this morning the answer of my beloved,
but it is near noon, and I have received nothing yet. I'll wait
until five o'clock, and if then I did not hear anything, I'll go
look for myself, because, especially in processes, there is only the first
no cost.
Now, as you can imagine, I am very eager

to learn the end of the story of this man of your acquaintance
so vehemently suspected of not knowing, if necessary, sacrificing
a woman. Will not he have corrected himself? and his generous friend does not
will she not have done grace?
I desire no less to receive your _ultimatum_, as you say

so politically! I am curious, above all, to know whether in this
last step, you will still find love! Ah! without a doubt
there are, and many! But for whom? However, I do not claim anything
to argue, and I expect all your kindness.
Farewell, my charming friend; I will not close this letter until two o'clock,
hoping to add the desired answer.
_At two o'clock in the afternoon._
Still nothing, the hour presses me a lot; I do not have time

to add a word, but this time, will you still refuse the most
loving kisses of love?
_Paris, this 27th November 17 ** ._
[Illustration: PL. XI
_Mle Gerard inv._
_Simonet sc._
LETTER CXLIII]
LETTER CXLIII
The veil is torn, ma'am, on which was painted the illusion of

my happiness. The fatal truth illuminates me and lets me see that one
assured death and next, whose path is traced between shame and
the regret. I will follow it ... I will cherish my torments if they abbreviate
my existence. I send you the letter I received yesterday, I do not
join no thought, she wears them with her. This is no longer the
time to complain, there is nothing left but to suffer. This is not
pity that I need is by force.
Receive, madam, the only farewell that I will do and excuse my last
pray; it is to leave myself to my fate, to forget myself entirely, to
do not count me on the earth anymore. It is a term in misfortune where
even friendship increases our sufferings and can not heal them. When
the wounds are mortal, all help becomes inhuman. Other
my feeling is foreign to me, that of despair. Nothing can more
to agree that the deep night where I am going to bury my shame. I
will cry my mistakes, if I can cry again! because since yesterday, I
did not shed a tear. My withered heart no longer provides.
Goodbye, madam. Do not answer me. I swore on this

cruel letter to no longer receive any.
_Paris , this 27th November 17 ** ._
LETTER CXLIV
Yesterday, at three o'clock in the evening, my beautiful friend, impatient not to

have
news, I introduced myself to the beautiful neglected; We told me
that she was out. I only saw in this sentence, a refusal of me
to receive who neither angry nor surprised me, and I retired in
the hope that this approach would engage at least one woman so polite,
to honor me with a word of answer. The desire I had to receive it
sent to my house at about nine o'clock, and there was nothing
find. Astonished at this silence, which I did not expect, I charged
my hunter to go to the information and find out if the sensible
no one was dead or dying. Finally, when I returned, he told me
learned that Madame de Tourvel had gone out, indeed, at eleven o'clock in the
morning
with his maid; that she had been driven to the convent
of ... and that at seven o'clock in the evening she had sent her car and her
people, by saying that we did not wait for her at home. Certainly,
it's getting in order. The convent is the true asylum of a
widow; and if it persists in such a commendable resolution, I will join
to all the obligations I already have him that of celebrity that
will take this adventure.
I told you, some time ago, that despite your
worries, I would only reappear on the world stage as brilliant
a new brilliance. So that they are showing themselves these severe critics who
accused me of a romantic and unhappy love; they do
ruptures faster and brighter, but no, they do
better: that they present themselves as comforters, the road is theirs
traced. Well! that they only dare to try this career that I have
traveled in full, and if any of them gets any success, I will
gives way first. But they will all experience that when I put
care, the impression I leave is indelible. Ah! without a doubt,
this one will be, and I count for nothing all my other triumphs
if ever I should have a favorite rival with this woman.
This party she took flatters my self-esteem, I agree, but

I'm sorry she found in her enough strength to
to separate so much from me. So there will be between us two more
obstacles than those I have put myself! What! if I wanted to
to get close to her, she might not want it anymore? what did I say? born
not the desire? not to make his supreme happiness? Is this
as we like? and do you believe, my beautiful friend, that I owe
suffer? Could not I, for example, and would not it be better
attempt to bring this woman back to the point of foreseeing the possibility of a
reconciliation that we always want as long as we hope? I could
try this step without putting it in importance and, therefore,
without it giving you shade. On the contrary! it would be a simple
test that we would do together, and still I would succeed, this
would be one more way to renew to your will a sacrifice
which seemed to be nice to you. Now, my dear friend, I still have to
receive the price and all my wishes are for your return. So come
quickly find your lover, your pleasures, your friends and the current of
adventures.
That of the small Volanges turned out wonderfully. Yesterday, that my

worry did not allow me to stay put, I was, in
my different races, even at Madame Volanges'. I found
your pupil already in the salon, still in the costume of the sick,
but in full recovery and being only fresher and more
interesting. You women, in that case, you would have remained a
months on your deck chair; my faith, live the young ladies! This one
I really wanted to know if the cure was perfect.
I still have to tell you that this accident of the little girl has thought
to drive your _sentimentaire_ crazy Danceny. In the first place it was sorrowful;
today is joy. _Sa C�cile_ was sick! You feel that the
head turns into such a misfortune. Three times a day he sent to know
news, and passed none without presenting himself; finally
he asked, by a beautiful letter to the mother, permission to go to
to congratulate on the convalescence of an object so dear; Madame de Volanges has
consented; so much so that I found the young man established as by the
in the past, to a little familiarity that he dared not afford.
It is of itself that I knew these details, because I left at the same time
time that he and I made him talk. You do not have the idea of ??the effect
that this visit caused him. It's a joy, it's desires,
transport impossible to render. I, who loves big movements,
I finished making him lose his head by assuring him that under very little
of days I would put him in a position to see his beauty even more closely.
Indeed, I decided to give it to him immediately after my

experience done. I want to devote myself to you entirely; and,
would it be worth while your pupil was also my pupil if she did not
had to deceive her husband? The masterpiece is to deceive his lover,
and especially his first lover! because, for me, I do not have to blame myself
to have pronounced the word of love.
Good-bye, my beautiful friend; Come back as soon as possible to enjoy your empire
on me, to receive the tribute and pay me the price.
LETTER CXLV
Seriously, viscount, did you leave the president? you have him
sent the letter I had made for you? In truth, you
are charming and you have surpassed my expectations! I admit in good faith
may this triumph flatter me more than all those whom I have been able to obtain
until now. You may find that I evaluate high
that woman whom I had so lately enjoyed so little: not at all; but it's
that it was not on her that I won this advantage: it is on
you; here is the pleasant and what is really delicious.
Yes, viscount, you loved Madame de Tourvel very much and even love her
still, you love him like a madman; but, because I was having fun
to make you ashamed of it, you bravely sacrificed it. You would have
sacrificed a thousand rather than suffer a joke. Where is driving us
yet vanity! The Sage is right when he says that she is
the enemy of happiness.
Where would you be now if I had not wanted you to

malice? But I am unable to deceive, you know it well; and
Should you, in my turn, reduce me to despair and to the convent, I
run the risks and I surrender to my winner.
However, if I surrender, it is really pure weakness, because if I

wanted, what baffles I would not have to do yet! and maybe
would you deserve it? I admire for example, with what finesse or what
left handed you propose me gently to let you reconnect with the
President. It would be great for you, is not it, to give you
the merit of this break without losing the pleasures of enjoyment?
And as then, this apparent sacrifice would no longer be one for you,
you offer me to renew it at my pleasure! By this arrangement, the
Heavenly devotee would always believe the only choice of your heart,
while I would boast of being the favorite rival: we would be
deceived both, but you would be happy, and what does the rest matter?
It's a pity that with so much talent for projects, you have so much
little for the execution and that by a single inconsiderate step you
have put yourself an invincible obstacle to what you desire the most.
What! you had the idea to reconnect and you could write my letter!
So you thought I left well in my turn! Ah! believe me, viscount,
when a woman strikes someone else's heart, she rarely misses
to find the sensitive place, and the wound is incurable. While
I hit this one, or rather that I directed your blows, I did not
not forget that this woman was my rival, that you found her
a moment preferable to me and that finally you had placed me below
her. If I made a mistake in my revenge, I consent to wear it
fault. So, I find it good that you try every means, I
you are even invited to do so, and you promise not to be angry at your successes,
if you manage to have some. I'm so quiet about this object that I
do not want to worry about it anymore Let's talk about something else.
For example, the health of the small Volanges. Tell me about

positive news on my return, is not it true? I will be happy
to have. After that, it will be up to you to judge if it suits you
better to give the girl back to her lover, or to try to become
a second time the founder of a new branch of Valmont, under
the name of Gercourt. This idea seemed to me rather pleasant, and in you
leaving the choice, I ask you, however, not to take sides
definitive without our having caused it together. It is not you
to return to a distant time, for I will be in Paris incessantly. I do not
can not tell you positively the day, but you do not doubt that
as soon as I arrive you will not be the first to know.
Farewell, viscount; despite my quarrels, my malice and my reproaches,

I still love you very much and I am preparing to prove it to you. the
see you again, my friend.
LETTER CXLVI
_The Marquise de MERTEUIL to the Chevalier DANCENY._
Finally I leave, my young friend, and tomorrow evening I'll be back to

Paris. In the midst of all the embarrassment that comes with traveling, I
will not receive anyone. However, if you have some confidence well
in a hurry to do so, I will exclude you from the general rule,
but I will not except you; so, I ask you the secret of my
arrival. Valmont himself will not be educated.
Who would have told me, some time ago, that soon you would have my
exclusive trust, I would not have believed it. But yours has resulted
mine. I would be tempted to believe that you put the address,
maybe even seduction. That would be very bad at least! the
rest, it would not be dangerous now: you have really good
something else to do! When the heroine is on stage we do not care
of the confidante.
So you did not have the time to tell me about your

new successes. When your Cecilia was absent, the days were
not long enough to listen to your tender complaints. You would have them
echo if I had not been there to hear them. When,
since she was sick, you have even honored me with the story of
your worries; you needed someone to talk to. But to
present that the one you love is in Paris, that she is doing well and
especially since you see her sometimes, she is enough for everything and your
friends
you are nothing more.
I do not blame you for it: it is the fault of your twenty years. Since
Alcibiades to you, do not we know that young people have never
known friendship only in their sorrows? Happiness sometimes makes them
indiscreet, but never confident. I would say, like Socrates:
_I like my friends to come to me when they are unhappy_ [51],
but, as a philosopher, it was good for them when they
did not come. In this, I'm not quite so wise as he and
I felt your silence with all the weakness of a woman.
[51] Marmontel, _Conte morale of Alcibiade_.
Do not think I'm demanding: I do not want to

be! The same feeling that makes me notice these privations
courageously bear when they are the proof or the cause of the
happiness of my friends. I do not count on you, for tomorrow evening
that as much as love will leave you free and unoccupied and I will
forbid me to make the slightest sacrifice.
Farewell, knight; I'm having a real party to see you again:

You come?
LETTER CXLVII
_Madame de VOLANGES to Madame de ROSEMONDE._
You will surely be as afflicted as I am, my good friend, in

learning the state of Madame de Tourvel: she has been sick since
yesterday; his illness has taken so keenly and shows up with symptoms if
serious that I am really alarmed.
A burning fever, a violent and almost continual transport, a

thirst that can not be appeased, that's all we notice. The doctors
say they can not prognose anything yet and the treatment will be
all the more difficult as the patient stubbornly refuses
kind of remedies: it was to the point that it had to be held by force to
bleed it and had to use the same two other times for
to give him his band, which, in his transport, she always wants
tear.
You who have seen it, like me, so little strong, so shy and so sweet,
so do you understand that four people can barely contain it and
that, if you want to represent her something, she enters
in inexpressible fury? For me, I'm afraid there is more
only delusion and that it is a true alienation of mind.
What increases my fear about this is what happened

before yesterday.
That day, she arrived around eleven o'clock in the morning, with the woman
of room, at the convent of ... As she was raised in this house
and that she kept the habit of going in sometimes, she was there
received as usual and she seemed to everyone quiet
and healthy. About two hours later, she inquired if the
room she occupied being a boarder was vacant, and on
she was told that yes, she asked to see her again; the
Prioress accompanied him with some other nuns. It was then
that she declared that she was returning to settle in this room, that,
she said, she should never have left, and she added that she
it would come out only at death-it was his expression.
At first we did not know what to say, but, the first astonishment passed, we
represented to her that her status as a married woman did not permit
receive it without special permission. This reason nor a thousand
others did nothing about it, and from that moment on, she persisted not only
not to leave the convent, but even from his room. Finally, war
tired at seven o'clock in the evening, they consented to spend the night there. We
sent his car and his people away, and the next day he was
left.
It is ensured that during the whole evening, far that its air or its maintenance
had nothing to lose, both were composed and thought out,
that only she fell four or five times into a reverie if
deep that we could not manage to get by talking to him and that
each time, before coming out, she carried both hands to her
her brow, which she seemed to squeeze with force; on which one of
nuns who were present asking her if she was suffering
She stared at her for a long time before answering and finally said:
"That's not where the harm is!" A moment later, she asked that she be
left alone and prayed that in the future she should not be questioned.
Everyone withdrew, except his maid, who was supposed to

luckily to sleep in the same room as she, for want of another place.
According to the report of this girl, his mistress was quiet enough
until eleven o'clock in the evening. She said she could go to bed, but,
before being completely undressed, she began to walk in her
room with lots of action and frequent gestures. Julie, who
had witnessed what had happened in the day, did not dare him
to say nothing and waited in silence for nearly an hour. Finally, Ms.
de Tourvel called him twice in quick succession; she only had time
to run up and her mistress fell into her arms saying, "I can not
more. "She let herself be led to her bed and did not want to take anything or
that no assistance should be sought. She had only
the water beside her and she ordered Julie to go to bed.
This one ensures to have remained until two o'clock in the morning without sleeping
and
during this time, he did not hear any movement or complaint. But she
said to have been woken at five o'clock by the speeches of his mistress,
who spoke with a loud, high voice, and then asked him
if she did not need anything and got no answer, she
took a light and went to Madame de Tourvel's bed, who did not recognize her
point, but who, suddenly interrupting the words without further action
that she held, exclaimed quickly: "Let me alone, let me
leave in the darkness; it is darkness that suits me. "
I noticed yesterday by myself that this phrase often comes back to him.
Finally, Julie took advantage of this kind of order to go out and go

seek the world and help, but Ms. de Tourvel refused one and
the other with the fury and the transports that came back so often
since.
The embarrassment where this put the whole convent decided the prioress to
send me yesterday at seven o'clock in the morning. He was not doing
day. I ran right on the spot. When I was told to Mrs.
Tourvel, she seemed to regain her knowledge and replied, "Ah! Yes,
that she comes in. "But when I was near her bed, she looked at me
staring at me, grabbed my hand tightly, and told me of a
loud, but dark voice: "I die for not having believed you."
Immediately after hiding her eyes, she returned to her speech on
more frequent: "Let me alone, etc.", and all knowledge
was lost.
This statement that she held me and some others escaped in his delirium
make me fear that this cruel disease has a more cruel cause
again. But let's respect the secrets of our friend and let's just
to pity his misfortune.
All day yesterday was also stormy and shared between

scary transport access and moments of abatement
lethargic, the only ones she takes and gives some rest. I do not have
left the bedside of his bed only at nine in the evening and I'm going there
return this morning for the whole day. Surely I will not give up
not my unfortunate friend, but what's sad is her
obstinacy in refusing all the care and all the help.
I am sending you this night's newsletter, which I have just received and
which, as you will see, is nothing but consoling. I will take care
to make them all pass exactly.
Farewell, my good friend, I will find the patient. My daughter, who is

Fortunately, almost restored, you present his respect.
_Paris, November 29, 17 ** ._
LETTER CXLVIII
_The Chevalier DANCENY to Madame de MERTEUIL._
O what I love! O you whom I adore! O you who started my

happiness! O you who filled it! Sensitive friend, tender lover, why
Does the memory of your pain disturb the charm I feel?
Ah! Madam, calm yourself, it is the friendship that asks you. O! my
friend! be happy, it is the prayer of love.
Eh! what reproaches do you have to make to you? believe me, your
delicacy you abuse. The regrets she causes you, the wrongs
she accuses me are also illusory, and I feel in my heart that he
between us there was no other seducer than love. Do not fear
so no more to indulge in the feelings you inspire, to let yourself
to penetrate all the fires that you give birth to. What! for being
enlightened later, would our hearts be less pure? no, without
doubt. It is, on the contrary, seduction which, never acting
by projects, can combine its progress and its means and foresee in the distance
the events. But true love does not allow you to meditate
and to think; he distracts us from our thoughts by our oaths, his
empire is never stronger than when it is unknown, and it's in
the shadow and the silence that surrounds us with links that it is also
impossible to see and break.
So even yesterday, despite the strong emotion that caused me the idea
of your return, despite the extreme pleasure I felt in you
seeing, I thought yet to be called nor led by the
peaceful friendship, or rather, entirely delivered to the gentle feelings of
my heart, I cared little to unravel the origin or the cause.
As well as me, my dear friend you felt without knowing it, this
imperious charm that delivered our souls to the sweet impressions of the
tenderness, and both of us have recognized love only by coming out of
the drunkenness into which this God had plunged us.
But that even justifies us instead of condemning us. No, you did not
not betrayed the friendship and I did not further abuse your trust. All
two, it is true, we did not know our feelings, but this illusion,
we felt it only without trying to bring it to birth. Ah! far
to pity us, let us think only of the happiness it has procured for us;
and without disturbing him by unjust reproaches, let us occupy ourselves only with
to increase it further by the charm of confidence and security. O!
my friend! May this hope be dear to my heart! Yes, now issued
from all fear and all to love, you will share my desires,
my transports, the delirium of my senses, the drunkenness of my soul, and every
moment of our fortunate days will be marked by a new pleasure.
Farewell, you whom I adore! I'll see you tonight, but will I find you
alone? I do not dare to hope. Ah! you do not want it as much as me.
_Paris, this 1st of December 17 ** ._
LETTER CXLIX
I hoped yesterday almost all day, my good friend, can you

give this morning more favorable news about the health of our
dear sick, but since yesterday evening this hope is destroyed and it does not
I have only the regret of having lost it. An event, indifferent
apparently, but very cruel by the consequences that he had, rendered
the condition of the patient at least as unpleasant as it was before, if
even he did not get worse.
I would have understood nothing of this sudden revolution if I had not received
Yesterday the whole confidence of our unfortunate friend. Since she does
did not let me ignore that you were educated also of all his
misfortunes, I can speak to you without reservation about his sad situation.
Yesterday morning, when I arrived at the convent, I am told that the sick
had been sleeping for more than three hours, and his sleep was so deep
and so quiet that I was afraid for a moment that he was lethargic.
Some time later, she woke up and opened the curtains herself
from his bed. She looked at us all with the air of surprise, and as
I got up to go to her, she recognized me, named me and asked me
to approach. She did not give me time to ask her any questions
and asked me where she was, what we were doing there, if she was
sick and why she was not at home. I thought at first that
it was a new delirium, only quieter than the previous one,
but I noticed that she heard my answers very well. She had
indeed, found his head, but not his memory.
She questioned me, with much detail, about everything that was
arrived since she was at the convent, where she did not remember
to have come. I answered him exactly, deleting only this
who could have frightened her too much; and when in my turn I asked him
how she was, she replied that she was not suffering
not at this moment, but that she had been tormented during
her sleep and that she felt tired. I urged him to
to calm down and speak little, after which I partially closed his
curtains, which I left half open, and I sat down by his bed.
At the same time, she was offered a broth that she took and she
found good.
She stayed about half an hour, during which she did not speak.
than to thank me for the care I gave her, and she
in his thanks, the pleasure and grace you know him.
Then she kept for some time an absolute silence, that she
broke only to say, "Ah! yes, I remember being here, "
and a moment later she exclaimed painfully, "My friend, my friend,
pity me, I find all my misfortunes. "As then I stepped forward
towards her, she seized my hand, and leaning her head, "Great God!
she continued, "can not I die?" His expression, even more
that her speeches, waited till tears, she saw it at my
voice and said to me, "You pity me! Ah! if you knew! ... "And then
interrupting: "Let us be left alone, I will tell you everything."
As I think you have marked it, I already had suspicions about

which was to be the subject of this confidence; and fearing that
this conversation, which I expected to be long and sad,
perhaps ruining the condition of our unfortunate friend, I refused
first, on the pretext that she needed rest, but she insisted
and I went to his authorities. As soon as we were alone she
taught me everything you already knew about her and that for this reason
I will not repeat you.
Finally, talking to me about the cruel way in which she was sacrificed,
she added: "I thought I was sure of dying and I had it
courage; but to survive my misfortune and my shame, that's what
I can not fight this discouragement, or rather
this despair, with the weapons of religion hitherto so powerful
on it, but I soon felt that I did not have enough strength to
these august functions and I kept asking him to call the
Father Anselme, whom I know to have all his confidence. She consented
and even seemed to desire it a great deal. He was sent for, and
he came on the spot. He stayed with the patient for a very long time and said
coming out that if the doctors judged him like him, he believed that
could postpone the ceremony of the sacraments, that he would return the
next day.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and up to five, our friend
was quiet enough, so that we had all returned to hope.
Unfortunately, they brought a letter for her. When we wanted
to hand her back, she first replied that she did not want to receive any
no one insisted. But from that moment, she seemed more agitated. Soon
afterwards she asked where this letter came from; she was not stamped;
who brought it? we did not know it; how was it delivered?
we had not said it to the turrets. Then she kept some time
the silence; after which she began to speak again, but her words without
We were told only that the delirium had returned.
However, there was a quiet interval until finally she

asked to be given the letter that had been brought for her. from
when she looked at it, she exclaimed: "Of him! good Lord!"
and then in a loud, but oppressed voice: "Take her back, take her back."
She immediately closed the curtains of her bed and forbade that
no one approached; but almost immediately we were well obliged
to come back to her. The transport had resumed more violent than
never, and it was joined with really frightening convulsions. These
accidents have not stopped the evening, and the newsletter this morning
tells me that the night was not less stormy. Finally, his condition is
such as I am surprised that it has not already succumbed, and I do not
not hide that I have little hope left.
I suppose that this unfortunate letter is from M. de Valmont;

but what can he still dare to say to him? Sorry, my dear friend, I
forbid me any reflection; but it is very cruel to see perish if
unfortunately a woman hitherto so happy and so worthy of being.
_Paris, this 2nd of December 17 ** ._
LETTER CL
_The Chevalier DANCENY at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._
While waiting for the happiness to see you, I surrender, my dear friend, to
pleasure to write to you, and it is by taking care of you that I charm the
regret to be removed from it. To trace my feelings, remind me
for my heart is a real pleasure, and it is through it that
the very time of privations still offers me a thousand precious goods to
my love. However, if you must believe it, I will not get
response from you: this very letter will be the last and we
deprive you of a business that you think is dangerous and that we
do not need_. Surely I will believe you if you persist, because
can you want, that for this very reason I do not want it too?
But before you decide entirely, will not you allow us to
were talking together?
On the article of dangers, you must judge alone, I can not do anything
calculate and I hold myself to beg you to watch over your safety because I do not
then be quiet when you are worried. For this object, this is
not us two who are only one, it's you who are both of us.
It is not the same with regard to need; here we can not have
that same thought, and if we disagree, it can only be
for lack of explaining or hearing us. So here is what I believe
feel.
Without doubt, a letter seems very little necessary when we can see each other
freely. What would she say, a word, a look or even silence
do not express a hundred times better still? It seems so true to me
the moment you told me not to write to us anymore, this idea slipped
easily on my soul; she may have embarrassed her, but did not affect her
point. Like that, when wanting to kiss your heart
I meet a ribbon or a gauze, I dismiss it only, and have
however not the feeling of an obstacle.
But since then we have separated, and as soon as you have not been there,
this idea of ??a letter came back to torment me. Why, did I?
said, this privation more? What! to be distant, is there no longer
nothing to say to each other? I guess that favored by the circumstances, we pass
together a whole day; will it take time to cause
on that of enjoying? Yes, to enjoy, my dear friend; because with you,
even moments of repose still provide delightful enjoyment.
Finally, whatever the weather, we end up separating, and then we are
so lonely! That's when a letter is precious, if we do not read it,
at least we look at her ... Ah! no doubt, we can look at a letter
without reading it, as it seems to me that at night I would still have some
pleasure to touch your portrait ...
Your portrait, did I say? But a letter is the portrait of the soul.
It does not have, as a cold image, this stagnance so far from
love; it lends itself to all our movements; alternately she comes alive,
she enjoys, she is resting ... Your feelings are all so precious to me,
will you deprive me of a means of collecting them?
Are you sure that the need to write to me will never torment you?
If in loneliness your heart dilates or stifles, if a movement
of joy passes to your soul, if an involuntary sadness comes the
trouble a moment so it will not be in the bosom of your friend that you
will you spread your happiness or your pain? you will have a feeling that he
will not share? you will let him dream and lonely go astray away
of you? My friend ... my dear friend! But it's up to you
to pronounce. I wanted to discuss only and not to seduce you; I
only told you reasons, I dare to believe that I had been stronger by
prayers. I will try, if you persist, not to grieve me;
I will do my best to tell you what you have written to me; but like,
you would say it better than me and I would especially have more pleasure in
hear.
Farewell, my charming friend; the hour is finally approaching where I can see you;
I leave you soon, to go find you sooner.
_Paris, this 3rd of December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLI
No doubt, Marquise, that you do not think me of little use for

think that I could take the change on the tete-a-tete where I have you
found tonight and on the astonishing hazard that led Danceny
at your house! It's not that your physiognomy did not know how to take
wonderfully the expression of calm and serenity, or that you
be betrayed by any of these phrases that sometimes escape the
trouble and repentance. I even agree that your docile looks
have served you perfectly well and if they had known how to believe
as well as being heard, far away from where I had taken or kept
slightest suspicion, I would not have doubted a moment of extreme grief
that caused you this unwelcome third. But, in order not to deploy in
vain of such great talents, to obtain the success that you
promise to finally produce the illusion you wanted to make
to be born, so you had to train your novice lover with more
care.
Since you are starting to educate, teach your students

not to blush and be disconcerted at the slightest joke, not to
deny so vividly for one woman the same things they are
defend with so much softness for all the others. Teach them
yet to know how to hear the eulogy of their mistress without believing
obliged to do the honors, and if you allow them to
look in the circle, let them know at least before disguise
this look of possession so easy to recognize and confuse
so awkwardly with that of love. So you can do them
appear in your public exercises without their conduct hurting
their wise teacher; and myself, too happy to compete in your
celebrity, I promise you to do and publish the programs of this
new college.
But until then I am surprised, I confess, that it is me that you have

undertaken to treat as a schoolboy. Oh! with any other woman
I'll be avenged soon! that I would have fun! and that he
would easily surpass the one she thought she would make me lose! Yes,
it's good for you alone that I can prefer the repair to the
revenge, and do not think that I am detained by the slightest doubt,
by the least uncertainty; I know everything.
You've been in Paris for four days, and every day you've seen
Danceny, and you only saw him alone. Even today your door
was still closed, and he missed your Swiss, to prevent me
to come to you, that insurance equal to yours. However
I should not doubt, you told me, to be the first informed
of your arrival, of this arrival of which you could not yet
say the day, while you write to me the day before your departure.
Will you deny these facts, or will you excuse yourself? One and
the other are equally impossible, and yet I still hold on!
Recognize your empire there; but trust me, happy to have it
tested, do not overuse it any longer. We all know each other
two, marquise; this word must suffice you.
Are you coming out tomorrow all day, did you tell me? At the good
hour, if you go out indeed, and you judge that I will know it. But
finally, you will return at night, and for our difficult reconciliation,
we will not have much time until the next day. Make me then
to know if it will be at your house, or _here_ that will be our expiations
many and reciprocal. Especially, more than Danceny. Your bad
head was filled with his idea, and I may not be jealous of this
delirium of your imagination; but think of that moment, which
was only a fantasy would become a marked preference. I do not
do not believe me for this humiliation and I do not expect the
to receive from you.
I even hope that this sacrifice will not seem to you one. But when
it would cost you something, it seems to me that I gave you a
pretty good example! that a sensitive and beautiful woman, who only existed
for me, who at this very moment may be dying of love and regret,
may well be worth a young schoolboy, who, if you will, does not lack
figure or spirit, but which has neither use nor consistency.
Farewell, marquise, I do not tell you anything about my feelings for you. All
what I can do at this moment is not to scrutinize my heart.
I am waiting for your answer. Just think of it, remember that the more
it is easy for you to forget the offense you have done to me,
more a refusal on your part, a simple delay, would engrave it in my
heart in indelible traits.
_Paris, this 3rd of December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLII
Take care, Viscount, and spare my extreme shyness!

How do you want me to support the overwhelming idea of ??incurring your
indignation and especially that I do not succumb to the fear of your
revenge? especially as, as you know, if you made me a
darkness, it would be impossible for me to return it to you. I would have
to speak, your existence will be neither less brilliant nor less peaceful.
By the way, what would you have to fear? To be obliged to leave if you
left the time. But do not we live abroad like here? And,
all in all, provided that the court of France left you alone at
the one where you would fix yourself, it would be for you that change the place
of your triumphs. After trying to restore your composure by
these moral considerations, let's go back to our business.
Do you know, viscount, why have I never remarried? It's not

certainly not for want of having found enough advantageous parties, it is
only so that nobody has the right to find fault with my
actions. It's not even that I feared I could not do
my wishes, for I would have always ended up there; but it is
would have embarrassed me that someone had only the right to complain about it;
is that finally I wanted to deceive only for my pleasure and not for
need. And now you write me the most marital letter he
be possible to see! You only talk to me about wrongs on my side and
thanks for yours! But how can we miss the one to whom we
does not have anything? I can not conceive it!
Come on, what is it all about? You found Danceny at my house, and
did this displease you? All in good time; but what have you been able to conclude?
Or that it was the effect of chance, as I told you, or that of
my will, as I did not tell you. In the first case your
letter is unfair; in the second, it is ridiculous: it was indeed the
worth writing! But you are jealous and jealousy does not reason.
Well! I will reason for you.
Or you have a rival, or you do not have one. If you have one, he
must be liked to be preferred; if you do not have one, you have to
still please to avoid having some. In any case, it's the same
to behave; so, why torment yourself? Why, especially,
torment myself? Do not you know how to be the most amiable?
And are you no longer sure of your success? Come on, Viscount, are you
do wrong. But that's not it, it's only in your eyes that I do not want
not that you give yourself so much trouble. You wish less my kindness
that you do not want to abuse your empire. Come on, you are an ungrateful person.
That's good, I think, feeling! And as long as I continue,
this letter could become very tender, but you do not deserve it.
You do not deserve more than I justify myself. To punish you for
your suspicions, you will keep them; so, on the time of my return,
as on Danceny's visits, I will not tell you anything. You
You are well worth it to instruct you, is it not true?
Well! Are you more advanced? I wish you found there
a lot of pleasure; as for me, it did not hurt mine.
All I can answer to your threatening letter is

that she had neither the gift of pleasing me nor the power to intimidate me,
and that for the moment I am one can not less willing to you
grant your requests.
In truth, you accept as you show yourself today, it would be

you make a real infidelity. It would not be there to reconnect with
my old lover, it would be taking a new one, and that is not worth
the other to very close. I have not forgotten enough the first to m'y
deceive as well. The Valmont I loved was charming. I want
to agree that I have not met a more amiable man. Ah! I
you Viscount, if you find him, bring him to me; that one
will always be well received.
Warn him, however, that in no case would it be

today or tomorrow. His _Menechme_ did him a little wrong; and
by pressing me too much, I would be afraid of making a mistake, or maybe
Did I give Danceny the floor for those two days? And your letter
taught me that you do not joke when you miss his word.
So you see that we have to wait.
But what does it matter to you? You will always take revenge on your rival.
He will not do worse to your mistress than you will do to his,
and, after all, is not one woman worth another? These are your
principles. The very one that would be stretched and sensitive, which would not
exist
for you, who would finally die of love and regret, would not
no less sacrificed to the first fantasy, to the fear of being
joked a moment; and you want us to be embarrassed? Ah! it is not
just.
Farewell, Viscount, become kind again. Look, I do not ask for better
than to find you charming, and as soon as I'm sure of it, I make a commitment to
you prove it. In truth, I am too good.
_Paris, this 4th of December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLIII
I'll answer your letter right away and I'll try to be clear
which is not easy with you when once you've sided
not to hear.
Long speeches were not necessary to establish that everyone

of having in hand all we need to lose each other, we
have an equal interest in protecting each other; also, it's not
of what it is. But still the violent party to get lost and
that, no doubt better, to remain united as we have been, to
to become even more so by taking up our first liaison; enter
these two parties, I say, there are a thousand more to take. He was not
so not ridiculous to tell you and it is not to repeat to you that,
from that very day, I will be either your lover or your enemy.
I feel perfectly well that this choice embarrasses you, that it would be better
to procrastinate, and I'm not unaware that you never liked to be
so placed between yes and no; but you must also feel that
I can not let you out of this narrow circle without risking being
played, and you must have predicted that I would not suffer it. It is
now you decide; I can leave you the choice, but no
not to remain in uncertainty.
I only warn you that you will not abuse me by your

reasoning, good or bad; that you will not seduce me more
by some cajoleries of which you would seek to counter your refusals, and
that finally, the moment of the franchise has arrived. I do not ask for better
than to give you the example, and I declare with pleasure that I
prefers peace and union; but if you have to break one or the other,
believe in having the right and the means.
I add that the slightest obstacle put on your part will be taken from
mine for a true declaration of war; you see that the
answer that I ask you requires neither long nor beautiful sentences. Two
words are enough.
Answer of the Marquise DE MERTEUIL written at the bottom of the same letter._
Well! the war.
CLIV LETTER
Newsletters teach you better than I can do,

my dear friend, the unhappy condition of our patient. Whole to
care I give him, I do not take the time to write to you
that there are other events than those of the disease. In
here is one that I certainly did not expect. It's a letter
which I received from M. de Valmont, whom it has pleased me to choose for his
confidante and even for his mediator with Mme de Tourvel, for
which he had also attached a letter to mine. I sent back one
by answering the other. I pass you this last and I believe
that you will judge like me, that I could not and should not do anything
from what he asks me. When I wanted to, our unfortunate
friend would not have been able to hear me. His delirium is continual.
But what will you say about M. de Valmont's despair? First, is it necessary
to believe in it, or does he just want to deceive everyone and until
end [52]? If for this time he is sincere, he can well say that he
he has made himself happy. I think he will be unhappy with my
answer, but I admit that all that sets me on this unfortunate
adventure raises me more and more against its author.
Farewell, my dear friend, I return to my sad care, who

become even more so by the little hope I have of them
see success. You know my feelings for you.
[52] It's because we did not find anything in the rest of this
correspondence that could resolve this doubt that we took the party
to suppress M. de Valmont's letter.
CLV LETTER
_The Vicomte de VALMONT to the Chevalier DANCENY._
I've been to your house twice, my dear knight, but since

you have left the role of lover for that of man with good fortunes,
you are, as of right, become untraceable. Your valet
assured me, however, that you would return tonight, that he had
wait for you; but I who am informed of your projects, I have very
well understood that you would only come in for a moment, to take
the suit of the thing and that on the spot you would start your
victorious races. At the right time, and I can only applaud it;
but maybe, for tonight, are you going to be tempted to change their
direction. You only know half of your business; it is necessary
to make you aware of the other, and then you will decide. take
so time to read my letter. It will not distract you
of your pleasures since, on the contrary, it has no other object than
give the choice between them.
If I had your full confidence, if I had known by you the part

of your secrets that you left me to guess, I would have been educated
in time, and my zeal, less left, would not interfere today your
market. But let's start from where we are. Whatever party you
take, your worst would always make another's happiness.
You have an appointment for this night, is not it? with a

charming woman and whom you adore? because at your age, which woman
do not we adore, at least the first eight days? The place of the stage
must still add to your pleasures. A delightful little house, _and
that one has taken only for you_, must embellish the voluptuous charms
of freedom and those of mystery. Everything is agreed; We are waiting for you,
and you are burning to go there! That's what we both know,
although you did not tell me anything. Now, here's what you do not
do not know and I have to tell you.
Since my return to Paris, I took care of ways to bring you closer

Miss de Volanges; I promised you, and again the last time
that I spoke to you about it, I had reason to judge by your answers I could
to say by your transports, that it was to take care of your happiness. I
could not succeed on my own in this difficult endeavor,
but having prepared the means, I put the rest to the zeal of
your young mistress. She found in her love resources that
had missed my experience; finally, your misfortune wants her to have
successful. "For two days," she told me tonight, "all the obstacles
are overcome, "and your happiness depends only on you.
For two days, too, she was flattered to teach you this
news herself, and despite the absence of her mom, you would have been
received: but you did not only introduce yourself! and to tell you
everything, whether caprice or reason, the little person seemed a little angry
from this lack of eagerness on your part. Finally, she found the
way to get me to her and made me promise
to return to you as soon as possible the letter that I am enclosing here. AT
the eagerness she put in, I'll bet you're talking about
an appointment for tonight. Anyway, I promised, on
honor and on friendship, that you would have the tender missive in the
day, and I can not and will not fail in my word.
Now, young man, what conduct will you take? Placed between
coquetry and love, between pleasure and happiness, what will be
your choice? If I spoke to Danceny three months ago, only
to that of eight days ago, of course with his heart, I would be
his steps; but today's Danceny, ripped off by women,
running the adventures and become, according to custom, a little villainous,
will he prefer a shy girl, who has only
his beauty, his innocence and his love, to the amenities of a woman
perfectly _used?
For me, my dear friend, it seems to me that even in your new

principles, which I confess to be a little bit mine,
circumstances would decide me for the young lover. First of all it is
one more, and then the novelty, and again the fear of losing the
fruit of your care by neglecting to pick it; because finally, on this side,
that would be the missed opportunity, and she's not coming back
always, especially for a first weakness; often in this case,
it only takes a moment of humor, a jealous suspicion, even less,
to prevent the most beautiful triumph. The drowning virtue hangs up
sometimes to the branches, and once escaped, she stands on her
guards and is no longer easy to surprise.
On the contrary, on the other side, what are you risking? not even a break,
a scramble at most, where we buy some care the
pleasure of a reconciliation. What other party is left to a woman
already given that of indulgence? What would she gain from
severity? the loss of his pleasures, without profit for his glory.
If, as I suppose, you take the side of love, who

also appears that of reason, I believe it is prudence
not to make excuses for the missed rendezvous; let yourself
just wait; if you risk giving a reason, we
may be tempted to check it. Women are curious and
obstinate; everything can be discovered; I come, as you know, from
to be an example myself. But if you leave hope, as it will be
sustained by vanity, it will only be lost long after the hour
information specific; so tomorrow you will have to choose the obstacle
insurmountable that will have held you back: you will have been sick, dead if
must, or anything else you will be desperate for, and
everything will be mended.
Besides, for whatever side you decide, I beg you

only to instruct me, and since I have no interest in it, I
will always find that you have done well. Farewell, my dear friend.
What I still add is that I regret Madame de Tourvel; it is that

I am desperate to be separated from her, that I would pay for
half of my life happiness to consecrate the other. Ah! believe me,
we are happy only through love.
LETTER CLVI
_Cecile VOLANGES to the Chevalier DANCENY._
How is it, my dear friend, that I stop seeing you when I do not
not stop wanting it? Do not you have as much envy as me?
Ah! it is now that I am sad! sadder than when we
We were separated completely. The sorrow I felt by others,
it is now from you that it comes to me, and it hurts much more.
Since a few days, mom is never at home, you know

well, and I was hoping you would try to take advantage of that time
of freedom; but you are not thinking of me alone; I am well
unhappy! You told me so much that it was I who loved the least!
I knew quite the opposite, and here is the proof. If you were
come to see me, you would have seen me indeed, because I'm not
not like you, I only think of everything that can bring us together. You
deserve that I do not tell you anything at all I did for
that and that gave me so much trouble; but I love you too much and I have so much
I want to see you that I can not help but tell you. And
then, I will see later if you really love me.
I did so well that the porter is in our interests and he

promised that whenever you would come, he would leave you
always enter as if he did not see you, and we can well
we are proud of him because he is a very good man. So it's not about
more than to prevent being seen in the house, and that is
well off, only coming in the evening and when there will be nothing left
to fear at all. For example, since mom comes out every day,
she goes to bed every day at eleven o'clock, so we should have
time.
The porter told me that when you would like to come like that, instead
to knock on his door, you only have to knock on the window and
that he would answer you right away, and then you will find the
little staircase, and as you will not be able to have light, I
leave the door of my room ajar, which will enlighten you
always a little. You'll be careful not to make noise,
especially passing by the little door of mom. For that of
my maid, it's equal, because she promised me that she
would not wake up; she is also a very good girl! And for you in
to go, it will be all the same. Now we will see if you will come.
My God, why does the heart beat me so hard by writing to you?

Should some misfortune happen to me, or is it the hope of
to see you who troubles me like that! What I feel good is that I
have never loved you so much and never have I desired you so much
to say it. Come, my friend, my dear friend, may I repeat to you
a hundred times that I love you, that I adore you, that I will never love
that you.
I found a way to have M. de Valmont say that I had some

something to say to him, and he, as he is very good friend, he will come
surely tomorrow, and I will beg him to give you my letter all of
after. So I will wait for you tomorrow evening, and you will come, without
fault, if you do not want your Cecile to be very unhappy.
Farewell, my dear friend, I embrace you with all my heart.
Paris, December 4, 17, in the evening._
LETTER CLVII
Do not doubt, my dear Vicomte, neither of my heart, nor of my steps;

how can I resist a desire of my Cecilia? Ah! that's her,
she alone whom I love, whom I will always love! his ingenuousness, his
tenderness have a charm for me, which I could have the weakness of
to be distracted, but nothing will ever erase Engaged in
another adventure, so to speak without being aware of it, often
the memory of Cecile came to trouble me even in the sweetest
pleasures, and perhaps my heart has never paid him homage
more true than in the very moment when I was unfaithful to him. However,
my friend, let us be gentle and hide my wrongs; no for the
to surprise, but not to afflict him. Cecile's happiness is the
vow the most ardent that I form; I will never forgive myself a fault
which would have cost him a tear.
I deserved, I feel it, the joke you make me on

what you call my new principles; but you can tell me
to believe, it is not by them that I behave in this moment, and from
tomorrow I am determined to prove it. I will accuse myself to the very one who
caused my misguidance and who shared it: I will say to him: "Read in
my heart, he has for you the most tender friendship; friendship united
desire so much resembles love! Both of us are deceived;
but susceptible of error, I am not capable of bad faith.
I know my friend, she is honest as well as indulgent, she will do
more than forgive me, she will approve me. She herself blamed herself
often to have betrayed friendship; often his delicacy frightened his
love; wiser than me, it will strengthen in my soul these fears
useful that I was rashly trying to stifle in his. I
it will have to be better, like you to be happier. O! my
friends, share my gratitude. The idea of ??you having my happiness in
increase the price.
Farewell, my dear viscount. The excess of my joy does not prevent me from
think about your troubles and take part in them. What can I not be
useful! Madame de Tourvel remains inexorable? It is said as well
sick. My God, I'm sorry for you! May she resume at once
health and indulgence and make your happiness forever! Those are
the wishes of friendship; I dare to hope that they will be answered by love.
I would like to talk longer with you, but the time is pressing me and
perhaps Cecile is already waiting for me.
LETTER CLVIII
(_When he woke up._)
Well, marquise, how do you find yourself pleasures of the night

last? Are not you a little tired? So agree that Danceny
is charming! he does wonders, that boy! You did not wait
that of him, is it not true? Come on, I'm doing myself justice: such a
The rival deserved that I should be sacrificed to him. Seriously, he is
full of good qualities! But above all, what love, consistency,
delicacy! Ah! if ever you are loved of him as his is
C�cile, you will not have any rivals to fear: he has proved it to you
tonight. Perhaps by dint of coquetry, another woman will be able to
you take it off for a moment; a young man does not know how to refuse to
provoking annoyances, but a single word of the beloved object suffices, as
you see, to dispel this illusion; so you do not miss it anymore
to be that object, to be perfectly happy.
Surely you will not be mistaken, you have the tact too sure for
that we can fear him. However the friendship that unites us, too
sincere on my part that well recognized of yours, made me desire for
you test this night; it is the work of my zeal; he succeeded,
but no thanks, it's not worth it, nothing was
easier.
By the way, what did it cost me? a slight sacrifice and a little
address. I agreed to share with the young man the favors of
his teacher; but finally, there was as much right as me, and
I cared so little about it! The letter that the young person wrote to him,
it was I who dictated it; but it was only to win
of time, because we had to use it better. The one I have
attached, oh! it was nothing, almost nothing, some thoughts of
friendship to guide the choice of the new lover; but in honor, they
were useless; you have to tell the truth, he did not swing a moment.
And then, in his candor, he has to go to your house today
tell everything, and surely this story will make you very happy! he you
will say: _Read in my heart_; he's telling me, and you can see that
it mends everything. I hope that by reading what he wants, you will
may you also read that so young lovers have their dangers, and
still it is better to have me for friend than for enemy.
Farewell, marquise, until the first opportunity.
LETTER CLIX
(_Ticket._)
I do not like bad jokes to be added to bad

processes; it's no more my way than my taste. When I have to
to complain about someone, I do not joke, I do better: I am
revenge. Someone glad that you can be right now,
do not forget that it would not be the first time you
would be applauded in advance, and all alone in the hope of a triumph that
you would have escaped the moment you congratulated yourself on it. Farewell.
LETTER CLX
I write to you from the room of your unfortunate friend, whose condition
is almost always the same. There must be this afternoon a
consultation of four doctors. Unfortunately it is, as you
know, more often a proof of danger than a means of relief.
It seems, however, that the head has come back last night.
The maid informed me this morning that around midnight his
mistress made her call, that she wanted to be alone with her and
that she dictated to him a rather long letter. Julie added that,
while she was busy making the envelope, Madame de Tourvel
had resumed transportation, so that girl did not know who
we had to put the address. I was surprised at first that the letter
she herself was not enough to teach him; but on what she
replied that she feared to be wrong, and that, however, her
mistress had advised her to send her away on the spot,
I took it upon myself to open the package.
I found the writing that I send you, which in fact does not
to anyone to address too many people. I would believe
that it was to M. de Valmont that our unfortunate friend wished to write
first, but that she gave in, without realizing it, to the disorder of her
ideas. Anyway, I thought that this letter should only be
returned to nobody. I send it to you because you will see better than
I can not tell you what are the thoughts that occupy the
head of our patient. As long as she remains so strongly affected, I
will have little hope. The body is recovering with difficulty, when
the mind is so quiet.
Farewell, my dear and worthy friend. I congratulate you for being away from
sad spectacle that I have constantly before my eyes.
LETTER CLXI
_The President of TOURVEL at ..._
(_Dictated by her and written by her maid._)
Being cruel and evil, will not you tire of persecuting me?
Is not it enough for you to have tormented me, degraded, degraded, do you want
to delight me to the peace of the grave? What! in this stay of darkness
where the ignominy forced me to bury myself, the sentences are they without
relaxation, is hope not known? I do not implore a grace
that I do not deserve; to suffer without complaining, it will suffice me
that my sufferings do not exceed my strength. But do not make my
unbearable torments. In leaving me my pains, take away the
cruel memory of the property I lost. When you delighted me,
I can not trace the distressing image to my eyes. I was innocent and
quiet, it is for having seen you that I lost the rest, it is in
you're listening that I've become criminal. Author of my faults, what
right do you have to punish them?
Where are the friends who cherished me, where are they? my misfortune
terror. None dares to approach me. I am oppressed and they leave me
without help! I'm dying and no one is crying on me. All consolation
I am refused. Mercy stops on the edge of the abyss where the
criminal goes on. Remorse rends him and his cries are not
heard!
And you, whom I have outraged; you, whose esteem adds to my punishment;
you, who alone finally would have the right to avenge you, what are you doing far
from
me? Come and punish an unfaithful woman. That I finally suffer torments
deserved. Already I would have submitted to your revenge, but the courage
I missed you to teach you your shame. It was not dissimulation,
it was respect. May this letter at least teach you my repentance.
Heaven has taken your cause; he avenges you for an insult you have ignored.
It was he who bound my tongue and withheld my words; he feared that you
do not give me a fault that he wanted to punish. He subtracted me from your
indulgence, which would have hurt his justice.
Ruthless in his vengeance, he delivered me to the very one who told me

lost. It is for him and for him that I suffer. I want
to flee him, in vain, he follows me, he is there, he obsesses me incessantly. But
that he is different from himself! His eyes are no longer expressing
hatred and contempt. His mouth utters only insult and reproach.
His arms surround me only to tear me apart. Who will save me from his
barbarous fury?
But what! it's him ... I'm not mistaken, it's him I see again.
O! my kind friend! receive me in your arms, hide me in your bosom;
yes, it's you, it's you! What a delusional illusion had made me
ignore! How much I have suffered in your absence! Do not separate us
more, never separate us. Let me breathe. Feel my heart,
how he throbs! Ah! it's no longer a fear, it's the sweet emotion
of love. Why refuse you to my tender caresses? Turned towards
me, your sweet looks! What are these links that you seek to break?
why do you prepare this apparatus of death? which can thus alter your
features? What are you doing? Leave me, I shudder! God! it's this monster
again! My friends, do not abandon me. You who invited me to flee him,
help me fight him, and you who, more lenient, promise me
to reduce my troubles, come to me. Where are you all
two? If I am not allowed to see you again, answer at least
this letter; that I know you still love me.
Leave me then, cruel! what new fury is animating you? Are you afraid that
sweet feeling does not penetrate my soul? You redouble my torments,
you force me to hate you. Oh! that hatred is painful! as
it corrodes the heart that distills it! Why are you persecuting me?
what can you still have to tell me? did not you put me in
the impossibility of listening to you as to answer you? do not wait any longer
nothing of me. Goodbye, sir.
LETTER CLXII
I am instructed, sir, of your proceedings towards me. I also know

that, not content to have indignantly played me, you are not afraid
to boast of it, to applaud you. I saw the proof of your
betrayal written by your hand. I admit that my heart was heartbroken and
that I felt some shame at having helped myself so much to the hateful
abuse you made of my blind confidence; yet I do not
not want this shameful advantage, I'm only curious to know if
you will keep them all on me too. I'll be educated, if,
as I hope you want to find yourself tomorrow, between eight
and nine o'clock in the morning, at the door of the Bois de Vincennes, village of
Saint-Mande. I will take care to find all that will be needed
for the clarifications that remain to be taken with you.
_The chevalier_ DANCENY.

Paris, December 6, 17, in the evening.
LETTER CLXIII
Monsieur BERTRAND to Madame de ROSEMONDE.
MRS,
It is with great regret that I fulfill the sad duty of you

announce a news that will cause you such cruel sorrow.
Let me first invite you to this pious resignation that
everyone has so often admired in you and who alone can make us
to bear the evils from which our miserable life is sown.
Your nephew, my God! must I afflict so much one so

respectable lady! Your nephew had the misfortune to succumb to a
singular combat he had this morning with M. le Chevalier Danceny.
I do not fully know the subject of the quarrel, but it seems, by the
ticket that I still found in the pocket of Mr. the Viscount and that
I have the honor to send you, it seems, I say, that he was not
the aggressor. And it must be him that Heaven has allowed who
succumb.
I was at Monsieur le Vicomte's, waiting for him, at the very moment when he was
brought back to the hotel. Imagine my fright at seeing your nephew
carried by two of his people and all bathed in his blood. He had two
sword shots in the body, and he was already very weak. Mr Danceny
was there too, and even he was crying. Ah! no doubt, he must cry:
but it is high time to shed tears when one has caused a
irreparable misfortune!
For me, I did not own myself, and despite the little that I am, I do not
tell him no less about my way of thinking. But that's where Mr.
Viscount was truly great. He ordered me to shut up,
and the very one who was his murderer, he took her hand, took it
called his friend, kissed him in front of us three and told us
orders to have for Monsieur all the respect due to a brave and
gallant man. "He also sent him papers to me.
very large, which I do not know, but which I know well
that he attached a lot of importance. Then he wanted us to
leave alone for a moment. However, I had sent for everything
immediately all the help, both spiritual and temporal: but, alas!
the evil was without remedy. Less than half an hour later, M. le Vicomte
was unconscious. He could only receive extreme unction, and
the ceremony was scarcely finished until he had breathed his last.
Good God! when I received in my arms, at birth, this precious

support of such an illustrious house, could I have foreseen that it would be in
my arms that he would expire and I would have to cry his death? A death
so early and so unhappy! My tears flow despite myself. I you
ask pardon, madam, for daring to mix my pains with yours:
but, in all states, one has a heart and sensitivity, and I
would be very ungrateful if I did not cry all my life a lord who
had so much kindness for me, which honored me with so much confidence.
Tomorrow, after the removal of the body, I will have the seals
everywhere, and you can rely entirely on my care.
You are not ignorant, madame, that this unfortunate event ends the
substitution and makes your arrangements completely free. If I
and then you are of some use, I beg you to please me
to pass your orders: I will do my utmost to execute them
punctually.
I am, with the deepest respect, Madam, your very humble, etc.,
etc.
BERTRAND.
LETTER CLXIV
_Madame de ROSEMONDE to Monsieur BERTRAND._
I receive your letter at the same moment, my dear Bertrand, and

I learn from her the dreadful event of which my nephew was the
unfortunate victim. Yes, no doubt, I will have orders to give you,
and it's only for them that I can take care of something other than my
mortal affliction.
Mr. Danceny's note, which you sent me, is a good proof

convincing that it was he who provoked the duel, and my intention is
that you make a complaint on the spot and in my name. By forgiving
his enemy, to his murderer, my nephew was able to satisfy his generosity
natural; but me, I have to avenge both his death, humanity and
religion. The severity of the laws against this can not be too much
remains of barbarism, which still infects our manners, and I do not believe
that it may be in this case that the forgiveness of insults be
prescribed. So I hear you're following this case with all the
zeal and all the activity of which I know you are capable and which you must
in memory of my nephew.
You will take care, above all, to see Mr. President of ... from me
and to confer with him. I do not write to him, in a hurry that I'm from
to give myself entirely to my pain. You'll apologize to him and he
communicate this letter.
Farewell, my dear Bertrand; I praise you and thank you for your good
feelings, and am for life all yours.
_Of the castle of ..., this 8th December 17 ** ._
[Illustration: PL. XII

_Mle Gerard inv._
_Ph. Triere sc._
LETTER CLXV]
LETTER CLXV

I know you already learned, my dear and worthy friend, the loss
you just did; I knew your affection for M. de
Valmont, and I sincerely share the affliction you owe
feel. I'm really sorry to have to add new ones
regret to those you already feel: but, alas! you are left
no more than tears to give to our unfortunate friend. We have it
lost yesterday at eleven o'clock in the evening. By a fatality attached to his
fate and that seemed to be playing off any human caution, this short
interval that she survived M. de Valmont was enough for her to
to learn death, and, as she said herself, for not being able to
succumb to the weight of his misfortunes only after the measure has been
filled.
Indeed, you knew that for more than two days she was without
and yesterday morning when his doctor arrived and that
we approached her bed, she recognized us neither one nor
the other, and we could not obtain a word or the least sign.
Well! scarcely had we returned to the fireplace and while the
doctor was teaching me the sad event of the death of M. de Valmont,
this unfortunate woman has found her whole head, that nature
alone produced this revolution, that it was caused by these
repeated words of _M. Valmont_ and _mort_, who were able to remind the
sick the only ideas she had been dealing with for a long time.
Anyway, she hurriedly opened the curtains of her

cries out, "What! What do you say? M. de Valmont is dead! "
I was hoping to make her believe that she was wrong, and I assured her
at first she had misunderstood: but far from being persuaded
so she demanded of the doctor that he repeat this cruel story, and on
what I wanted to try to dissuade her again, she called me and
said in a low voice, "Why do you want to deceive me? was not he already
dead for me! "So we had to give in.
Our unfortunate friend listened at first with a rather calm air,

but soon after she interrupted the narrative saying, "Enough, I
I have enough. "She asked at once that her curtains should be closed, and
when the doctor wanted to take care of his condition,
she never wanted to suffer him to approach her.
As soon as he was released, she similarly dismissed her guard and

maid, and when we were alone, she asked me to
help him kneel on his bed and support him. There she
stayed for some time in silence and without any other expression than
his tears, which flowed abundantly. Finally, joining his hands
and raising them to the sky; "Almighty God," she said of a
voice weak, but fervent, I submit to your justice; but forgive
in Valmont. That my misfortunes, which I admit have deserved, do not
be not a reproach, and I will bless your mercy! "
I am allowed, my dear and worthy friend, to enter into these details on a
subject that I feel I have to renew and aggravate your pain,
because I do not doubt that this prayer of Madame de Tourvel does not
however, a great consolation in your soul.
After our friend uttered this few words, she let herself
fall back into my arms, and she was barely put back in her bed
that it took him a weakness which was long, but which yielded to
ordinary relief. As soon as she regained consciousness, she told me
asked to send for Father Anselm, and she added:
present the only doctor I need; I feel that my ills are
soon to finish. "She complained a lot of oppression and she was talking
difficulty.
Shortly after, she made me hand over by her maid a

cassette, that I send you, that she tells me to contain papers
to her, and that she charged me to make you pass immediately after
his death [53]. Then she told me about you and your friendship for
she, as far as her situation permitted, and with much
tenderness.
[53] This cassette contained all the letters relating to

his adventure with M. de Valmont.
Father Anselme arrived around four o'clock and remained nearly an hour
alone with her. When we returned, the figure of the patient was
calm and serene; but it was easy to see that Father Anselm
had cried a lot. He stayed to attend the last ceremonies
from the church. This show, always so imposing and so painful,
it became even more so because of the contrast that the tranquil
resignation of the patient, with the deep pain of his venerable
confessor, bursting into tears beside her. The emotion
became general, and the one that everyone cried was the only one who
he did not cry.
The rest of the day was spent in the usual prayers, which were not
interrupted only by the frequent weaknesses of the patient. Finally,
towards eleven o'clock at night, she appeared to me more oppressed and more
suffering. I put out my hand to look for his arm; she still had
the strength to take it, and put it on his heart. I did not feel the
beat and indeed our unfortunate friend expired in the moment
even.
Do you remember, my dear friend, that on your last trip here he

less than a year ago, together causing a few people whose
happiness seemed more or less assured, we stopped
complacently about the fate of this same woman, of whom today
we mourn both misfortunes and death! So many virtues,
commendable qualities and amenities; a character so sweet and so easy;
a husband who loved and loved her; a society where she
she liked and delighted them; of the figure, the
youth, fortune; so many benefits together have been lost
by one imprudence! Oh! Providence; no doubt you have to worship
your decrees; but how incomprehensible they are! I stop, I
I fear to increase your sadness by giving myself up to mine.
I leave you and go to my daughter, who is a little indisposed.

By learning from me this morning, this prompt death of two people
of her knowledge, she found herself wrong, and I had her put on
bed. I hope, however, that this slight inconvenience will have no
after. At this age, we do not have the habit of sorrows, and their
printing becomes more lively and stronger. This sensitivity if
active is, without doubt, a commendable quality; but how much everything
see every day teaches us to fear it! Farewell, my dear and worthy
friend.

LETTER CLXVI
Monsieur BERTRAND to Madame de ROSEMONDE.
MRS,
As a consequence of the orders that I have done myself the honor to address to you,
I had the one to see Mr. President of ..., and I communicated to him
your letter, warning him that, according to your wishes, I would not
only by his advice. This respectable magistrate has charged me with you
observe that the complaint that you are intending to make against
Mr. Chevalier Danceny, would also compromise the memory of Mr.
your nephew and that his honor would necessarily be tainted
by the judgment of the Court, which would undoubtedly be a great misfortune.
His opinion is that we must be careful not to take any steps,
and that if there were to do it, it would be, on the contrary, to try
prevent the public prosecutor from becoming aware of this
an unfortunate adventure, which has already exploded too much.
These observations seemed to me wise, and I take the party

to wait for new orders from you.
Let me beg you, madam, to please, by making me

pass on, attach a note on the state of your health, for which I
dreadfully dreads the sad effect of so many sorrows. I hope that
you will forgive this liberty for my attachment and my zeal.
I am with respect, ma'am, your, etc.
LETTER CLXVII
_Anonymous to Monsieur le Chevalier DANCENY._
SIR,
I have the honor to inform you that this morning, at the public prosecutor's
office,
there has been talk, among MM. the king's people, of the case that you
have had with the Viscount Valmont, and it is to be feared that the
the public prosecutor does not make a complaint. I thought this warning
could be useful to you, whether you have your protections
to stop these unfortunate consequences, either, in case you can not
to arrive, to put you in the case of taking your securities
Personal.
If you even allow me some advice, I think you would do well,

for a while, to show you less than you did
for a few days. Although ordinarily we have indulgence
for these kinds of cases, however, this respect must always be respected.
law.
This precaution becomes all the more necessary, that it has returned to me
that Madame de Rosemonde, whom I have been told aunt of M. de Valmont, wished
make a complaint against you, and that then the public part could not
not to refuse his requisition. It might be appropriate that you
can do to talk to this lady.
Special reasons prevent me from signing this letter. But

I do not think that, to know who it comes from, you do not know
not less justice to the feeling that dictated it.
LETTER CLXVIII
He is spreading here, my dear and worthy friend, on the account of Madame de

Merteuil, sounds very surprising and very unfortunate. Surely, I
I'm far from believing it and I'd bet it's just a hideous
calumny; but I know too much how wicked, even the least
likely to take on a consistent consistency and how much
that they leave with difficulty, so as not to be very alarmed
of these, all easy that I believe them to destroy. I wish
especially that they could be stopped early and before being
more widespread. But I only knew yesterday, very late, these horrors that
only starts to debit; and when I sent this morning to Madame de
Merteuil, she had just left for the countryside where she must spend
two days. I could not tell where she had gone. His second
wife, whom I had come to talk to me, told me that her mistress
had only given orders to wait until next Thursday, and none of the
The people she left here do not know anymore. I myself do not presume
where she can not be; I do not remember anyone of his knowledge
who stays so late in the country.
Anyway, you can, I hope, get me from here

on his return, clarifications that may be useful to him, because
founds these odious stories about circumstances of Mr. M's death
of Valmont, apparently you will have been educated if they are
true, or at least it will be easy for you to be informed, what
I ask you in grace. Here is what we publish, or, to put it better,
what we still murmur, but which will not be long in exploding
more.
It is said that the quarrel between Mr. de Valmont and the

Chevalier Danceny is the work of Mme de Merteuil, who deceived them
also both; that, as it almost always happens, both
rivals started fighting and only came after
clarification; that these have produced a sincere reconciliation,
and that, in order to finish making Madame de Merteuil known to the knight
Danceny and also to fully justify himself, Mr. de Valmont joined
to all his speeches a host of letters forming a correspondence
he had with her, and where she relates
itself, and in the freest style, the most anecdotes
scandalous.
It is added that Danceny, in his first indignation, delivered these

letters to those who wanted to see them and now they run Paris.
There are two [54]: one where it makes history
the whole of his life and his principles, and that it is said that
the horror; the other, which fully justifies M. de Pr�van, of whom you
you remember the story, by the evidence therein that it did not
on the contrary, to give in to the most marked advances of Mme de Merteuil
and that the appointment was agreed with her.
[54] Letters LXXXI and LXXXV of this Collection.
Fortunately, I have the strongest reasons to believe that these imputations

are as false as they are odious. First, we both know that
M. de Valmont was certainly not occupied with Madame de Merteuil, and I
every reason to believe that Danceny did not care more about it; so,
it seems to me that it could not be the subject or the author
of the quarrel. I also do not understand what interest would have
Mme de Merteuil, who is supposed to agree with M. de Pr�van, to make
a scene that could never be that unpleasant by its brilliance and
which could become very dangerous for her, since she was
thereby an irreconcilable enemy of a man who was master
part of his secret and then had a lot of supporters.
However, it should be noted that since this adventure, it has not
not raise a single voice in favor of Pr�van, and that, even from him,
there was no complaint.
These reflections would lead me to suspect the author of the sounds that
run today, and to look at these darknesses as the work of the
hatred and vengeance of a man who, seeing himself lost, hopes by this
mean spread at least doubts and possibly cause a diversion
useful. But from somewhere that come these wicked, the most
in a hurry is to destroy them. They would fall by themselves, if it
found, as it is likely, that MM. of Valmont and Danceny do not
had not spoken since their unfortunate affair, and that there was no
no papers handed.
In my impatience to verify these facts, I sent this morning to Mr.

Danceny; he is not in Paris either. His people told my valet
room he had left that night, on a notice he had received yesterday
and that the place of his stay was a secret. Apparently he fears
consequences of his business. It is only through you, my dear and worthy
friend, that I can have the details that interest me and that can
to become so necessary to Madame de Merteuil. I renew my prayer
to send them to me as soon as possible.
_P.-S ._-- The indisposition of my daughter has had no result; she you
present his respect.
LETTER CLXIX
_The Chevalier DANCENY to Madame de ROSEMONDE._
MRS,
Perhaps you will find the approach I am doing today

strange, but I beg you, listen to me before judging me, and
do not see daring or recklessness where there is only respect and trust.
I do not hide the wrongs I have towards you, and I do not
would forgive them for my life if I could think for a moment that he
I would have been able to avoid having them. Be even persuaded,
madam, that to find me free from reproaches, I am not
regret, and I can still add with sincerity that those whom I you
cause go a lot in those I feel. To believe in these
feelings which I dare to assure you, it must be enough for you to surrender
justice and know that without having the honor of being known to you,
I have the one to know you.
However, when I lament the fatality that has caused both your
sorrows and my misfortunes, we want to make me fear that, all
your revenge, you were not looking for ways to satisfy her
in the severity of the laws.
Let me first observe on this subject that here your pain

you abuse, since my interest on this point is essentially related
to that of Mr. de Valmont and that he would be wrapped himself
in the sentence you would have provoked against me. I would believe
so, madam, can instead rather rely on you on
help only on obstacles, in the care that I could be
obliged to take for this unfortunate event to remain buried in
the silence.
But this resource of complicity, which is also suitable for the guilty
and to the innocent, can not be enough for my delicacy: by wanting you
dismiss as a party, I claim you as my judge. The esteem of
people we respect is too precious to let me
yours without defending it, and I think I can afford it.
Indeed, if you agree that revenge is allowed, let's say better,

that we owe it, when we have been betrayed in his love, in his friendship
and especially in his confidence; if you agree, my wrongs are going
disappear to your eyes. Do not believe my speeches, but read if
you have the courage, the correspondence that I deposit between your
hands [55]. The quantity of letters in original appears
make authentic those for which there are only copies. The remainder,
I have received these papers, as I have the honor to address them,
M. de Valmont himself. I did not add anything to it and I did not get distracted
only two letters that I allowed myself to publish.
[55] It is from this correspondence, from that given

like the death of Madame de Tourvel, and the letters
also entrusted to Mme de Rosemonde by Mme de Volanges, whom we have
the present Compendium, the originals of which remain between
the hands of Madame de Rosemonde's heirs.
One was necessary for the common vengeance of M. de Valmont and

of me, to which we were entitled both, and which he had me
expressly charged. I thought more than that it was a service to
society than to unmask a woman as truly dangerous as
is Madame de Merteuil, and who, as you can see, is the only one,
the real cause of everything that happened between Mr. de Valmont and
me.
A feeling of justice also led me to publish the second for the

justification of M. de Prevan, whom I hardly know, but who had not
deserved the rigorous treatment he has just experienced, nor
the severity of the judgments of the public, more formidable still, and under
which he has been moaning since then, without having anything to defend himself
from.
You will find only the copy of these two letters, of which I am
have to keep the originals. For all the rest, I do not believe
to be able to hand over to a safe deposit a deposit that I care
perhaps that is not destroyed, but which I would blush to abuse.
I believe, madam, by entrusting you with these papers, to serve the
people they are interested in, by putting them back on their own
and I save them the embarrassment of receiving them from me, and of knowing me
educated of adventures, that no doubt they desire that everyone
know.
I think I must warn you that this correspondence

attached is only part of a much larger collection,
which Mr. de Valmont drew in my presence and that you must find
at the lifting of the seals, under the title, which I saw, of _Account open
between the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. You
take on this object the part which your prudence will suggest to you.
I am with respect, Madam, etc.
_P.-S ._-- Some advice I received and advice from my friends

decided to leave Paris for some time; but the place
of my retirement, kept secret for everyone, will not be for
you. If you honor me with an answer, please send it to the
commandery of ..., by P ..., and under the guise of the commander
It's from him that I have the honor to write to you.
LETTER CLXX
I walk, my dear friend, from surprise to surprise and sorrow in

grief. You have to be a mother to get the idea of ??what I suffered
yesterday all morning; and if my most cruel anxieties have been
since then, I still have a great deal of affliction
do not plan the end.
Yesterday, around ten o'clock in the morning, astonished not to have seen
my daughter, I sent my maid to find out what could
cause this delay. She came back the moment after much frightened
and scared me a lot more by telling me that my daughter was not
in his apartment and that since morning his maid does not
had not found. Judge of my situation! I had all my people come
and especially my porter: all swore to me to know nothing and can not
tell me nothing about this event. I immediately went to the room
of my daughter. The disorder that reigned there taught me although apparently
she had only gone out in the morning, but I did not find any
clarification. I visited his wardrobes, his secretary; I found
everything in its place and all her clothes to the reserve of the dress with
which she had gone out. She had not just taken the little
money she had at home.
As she had only learned yesterday what is said of Madame de Merteuil,

that she is very attached to him, and even to the point that she did not
only cry all evening; as I also remembered that she
did not know that Madame de Merteuil was in the country, my first
idea was that she had wanted to see her friend and that she had done
the carelessness of going alone. But the time that passed without her
came back to me all my worries. Every moment was increasing my
hardly, and while burning to educate me, I dared not yet take
no information for fear of giving shine to an approach
that maybe I would like after being able to hide to everyone. No, of
my life I have not suffered so much!
Finally, it was not until two past hours that I received both a
letter of my daughter and one of the superior of the convent of ... The letter
my daughter was only saying that she had feared that I would not
to the vocation she had to become a nun and that she had
dare to tell me about it: the rest was just an apology for what she had
taken without my permission, this party, which I would surely disapprove of
not, she added, if I knew her motives, that yet she
prayed not to ask him.
The superior told me that having seen a young person arrive alone,
she had at first refused to receive her; but that having questioned
and having learned who she was, she thought she was doing me a favor
beginning with giving shelter to my daughter, so as not to expose her
to new races, to which she seemed determined. The
superior, offering me as reason to give me my daughter,
invites me, according to her condition, not to oppose a vocation she
call so decided; she still told me she could not inform me
earlier of this event, by the sorrow she had had to make me
write by my daughter, whose project was that everyone was ignorant
where she had retired. It is a cruel thing that the unreasonable
children!
I was at once at this convent; and after seeing the superior,

I asked her to see my daughter: she came with difficulty
and very trembling. I spoke to him in front of the nuns and I told him
I spoke alone; everything I've learned in the middle of a lot of
tears is that she could only be happy at the convent; I took
the party to allow him to stay there, but without yet being ranked
postulants, as she requested. I fear that the death of
Mme de Tourvel and that of M. de Valmont have not affected this
young head. Whatever respect I have for the religious vocation, I
would not see without pain and even without fear my daughter kissing this
state. It seems to me that we already have enough homework to do without
we create new ones; and again that it is hardly at this age that
we know what suits us.
What redoubles my embarrassment is the very near return of Mr. de

Gercourt; Will it be necessary to break this marriage so advantageous? How then
to make the happiness of his children, if it is not enough to have the desire
and give it all its care? You will oblige me a lot to tell me what
what you would do in my place; I can not stop at any party: I do not
find nothing so frightening as having to decide the fate of others,
and I'm also afraid to put on this occasion the severity
of a judge or the weakness of a mother.
I reproach myself constantly for increasing your sorrows by talking to you about
mine; but I know your heart: the consolation you could
give to others would become for you the biggest you
to receive.
Farewell, my dear and worthy friend; I'm waiting for your two answers with a lot of
impatience.
_Paris, this 13th December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLXXI
_Madame de ROSEMONDE to the Chevalier DANCENY._
After what you let me know, sir, it remains only

to cry and to be quiet. We regret to live again when we learn
such horrors; we blush to be a woman when we see one
capable of similar excesses.
I will lend myself willingly, sir, as far as I am concerned, to

leave in silence and oblivion all that could be related and
to follow up on these sad events. I even wish they did not
never cause other sorrows than those inseparable from the unfortunate
advantage that you have won over my nephew. Despite his wrongs, that
I am forced to recognize, I feel that I will never console myself
of his loss: but my eternal affliction will be the only revenge that
I will allow myself to draw from you; it's up to your heart to appreciate
extent.
If you allow my age a reflection that is hardly

yours is that if we were enlightened on his true happiness, we do not
would never seek it outside the bounds prescribed by the laws and the
religion.
You can be sure that I will faithfully and willingly keep the
deposit that you entrusted to me; but I ask you to allow me to
do not give it to anyone, not even you, sir, unless he
become necessary to your justification. I dare to believe that you
do not refuse this prayer and you are no longer to feel
that one often moans to have given even the most just revenge.
I do not stop in my requests, convinced that I am of your

generosity and your delicacy; he would be well worthy of all
two, to also put in my hands the letters of Miss de
Volanges, which apparently you have kept and which probably you do not
interest more. I know this young person has great wrongs
with you, but I do not think you thought of punishing him; and not
out of respect for yourself, you will not belittle the object that
you loved so much. I do not need to add that
that the girl does not deserve are at least well due to the mother, to this
respectable woman, vis-�-vis whom you are not without having a lot
to repair: because, finally, some illusion that one seeks to be made by
an alleged delicacy of feelings, the one who first tries to
to seduce a still honest and simple heart is by the way the first
his corruption and must be forever accountable for the excesses and
follies that follow it.
Do not be surprised, sir, by so much severity on my part; she is

the greatest proof that I can give you of my perfect esteem.
You will acquire new rights by lending yourself, as I
desire, to the security of a secret whose advertising would harm you
yourself and would bring death to a maternal heart that already you have
injured. Finally, sir, I wish to render this service to my friend;
and if I could fear that you would deny me this consolation,
I would ask you to think before that it's the only one you
have left me.
_Of the castle of ..., this 15 December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLXXII
_Madame de ROSEMONDE to Madame de VOLANGES._
If I had been obliged, my dear friend, to call and wait

from Paris the clarifications that you ask me concerning Mme de
Merteuil, it would not be possible for me to give them to you again;
and, without doubt, I would have received only vague and uncertain:
but it came to me that I did not wait, that I did not take place
wait; and these are only too sure. O! my friend,
how much this woman has deceived you!
I am reluctant to enter into any detail on this mass of horrors; but

something that is debited, make sure you are still below
of the truth. I hope, my dear friend, that you know me enough
to believe me on my word, and that you will not require me
evidence. Suffice it to know that there is a crowd that I have
at this very moment in the hands.
It is not without extreme pain that I make you the same prayer
not to oblige me to motivate the advice you ask me
relatively to Miss Volanges. I invite you not to oppose
to the vocation it shows. Surely no reason can allow
to force to take this state when the subject is not called there; but
sometimes it is a great happiness that he is; and you see that
your daughter herself tells you that you would not disapprove her if
you knew his motives. Who inspires us our feelings
better than our vain wisdom what suits everyone and often
what seems an act of his severity is on the contrary one of his
clemency.
Finally, my opinion, that I feel that will afflict you, and that by that
even you must believe that I do not give you without much
reflected, is that you leave Miss de Volanges at the convent, since this
party is of his choice; that you encourage, rather than annoy,
the project it appears to have formed and that, while waiting for its
execution, you did not hesitate to break the marriage that you had
stopped.
After fulfilling these painful duties of friendship, and in

the helplessness where I am to attach any consolation, the grace that
I have to ask you, my dear friend, to stop interrogating me
on nothing that relates to these sad events: let them
in the forgetfulness that suits them; and without looking for useless and
sorrowful lights, let us submit to the decrees of Providence,
and believe in the wisdom of his views, even when it does not allow us
not to understand them. Goodbye, my dear friend.
_Of the castle of ..., this 15 December 17 ** ._
LETTER CLXXIII
O! my friend! from which scary veil you wrap the spell of my

girl! and you seem to fear that I will try to lift it! that
is he hiding from me so that it may afflict a mother's heart more than
the frightful suspicions to which you give me? The more I know your
friendship, your indulgence, and my torment redoubled: twenty times,
since yesterday, I wanted to come out of these cruel uncertainties and you
ask to educate me bluntly and directly; and each time
I shuddered with fear as I thought of the prayer you make me
do not question yourself. Finally, I stop at a party that leaves me
still some hope; and I wait for your friendship that you do not
do not refuse what I want: it is to answer me if I have little
I understood what you could say to me; not to be afraid of
teach me all that maternal indulgence can cover and who
is not impossible to repair. If my misfortunes exceed this measure,
so I agree to let you, in fact, explain to you only by
your silence: here is what I already knew and how far my fears
can expand.
My daughter showed some taste for Knight Danceny, and I

been informed that she was up to receiving letters from him and
even to answer him; but I thought I managed to prevent
that this error of a child had no dangerous consequence:
today that I fear everything, I understand that it would be possible that
my surveillance would have been deceived, and I fear that my daughter, seduced,
did not put the finishing touches to his errors.
I still remember several circumstances that can strengthen

this fear. I told you that my daughter was wrong with the
news of the misfortune that happened to M. de Valmont; maybe this sensitivity
was it only the idea of ??the risks that Mr. Danceny had
run in this fight. When since she cried so much while learning
all that was said about Madame de Merteuil, perhaps what I thought
pain of friendship, was only the effect of jealousy or regret
to find his unfaithful lover. His last step can still, this
seems to be explained by the same motive. Often we think we are called to
God, by this alone that we feel rebellious against men. Finally,
Assuming these facts are true and you are educated,
you may have found them sufficient to authorize the
Rigorous advice you give me.
However, if he was so, blaming my daughter, I would believe

still have to try every means to save him the torments
and the dangers of an illusory and transient vocation. If Mr. Danceny did not
not lost any sense of honesty, he will not refuse to repair
a wrong of which he alone is the author, and I can finally believe that the
my daughter's wedding is good enough for him to be
flattered as well as his family.
There, my dear and worthy friend, is the only hope left to me; make haste
confirm it, if you can. You judge how much I
want you to answer me and what a frightful blow would I take your
Silence. [56]
[56] This letter remained unanswered.
I was going to close my letter when a man of my acquaintance came

to see me and told me the cruel scene that Ms. de Merteuil has suffered
before yesterday. Since I have not seen anyone these last days, I
did not know anything about this adventure; here is the story, as I
an eyewitness.
Madame de Merteuil, arriving from the countryside, the day before yesterday, was
sent down to the Italian Comedie, where she had her box; she there
was alone, and, what must have seemed extraordinary, no man
presented himself during the whole show. At the exit she entered, following
its use in the little salon, which was already filled with people; right away
a rumor arose, but apparently she did not believe herself
the object. She saw an empty place on one of the benches and she
went and sat down there; but immediately, all the women who were already there
rose, as if in concert, and left him absolutely alone. This
movement marked with general indignation was applauded by all men
and redoubled the murmurs which, it is said, went up to the boos.
In order that nothing be wanting to his humiliation, his misfortune wished that M.
Pr�van, who had not shown himself anywhere since his adventure, entered
at the same time in the small salon. As soon as we saw him, all
the world, men and women, surrounded him and applauded him; and he found himself
as it were, brought before Madame de Merteuil by the public who were
circle around them. It is said that it has kept the air of nothing
to see and hear nothing, and that she has not changed her face; but
I believe this fact is exaggerated. Anyway, this situation really
ignominious for her, lasted until the moment when we announced her
car, and at his departure scandalous boos again redoubled. he
It's awful to be related to this woman. M. de Prevan was
the same evening, welcomed by all those officers of his body
who were there, and we do not doubt that we will soon return
job and his rank.
The same person who gave me this detail told me that Mme de Merteuil
had the following night a very high fever, which we thought
first, to be the effect of the violent situation in which she had found herself;
but we know, since yesterday evening, that smallpox became
declared confluent and of a very bad character. In truth, this
would be, I believe, a happiness for her to die of it. We still say
that all this adventure will do him a lot of harm for his
trial, which is close to being tried and in which one claims that she
needed a lot of favor.
Farewell, my dear and worthy friend. I can see in all this the bad guys
punished; but I find no consolation for their unfortunate
victims.
LETTER CLXXIV
_The Chevalier DANCENY to Madame de ROSEMONDE._
You are right, madam, and surely I will not refuse you anything
which will depend on me and how you seem to attach some price. The
package I have the honor to send you contains all the letters
Miss Volanges. If you read them, you may not see
not without astonishment that so much ingenuity and so much
perfidy. That's, at least, what struck me the most in the last
reading that I just did.
But above all, can one defend oneself from the strongest indignation against Mme.
of Merteuil, when we remember with what frightful pleasure she put
all his care to abuse so much innocence and candor?
No, I do not have any more love. I keep nothing of a feeling so

indignantly betrayed, and it is not him who makes me seek to justify
Miss of Volanges. But, however, this heart so simple, this character so
sweet and easy, would not they be brought to the good more easily
still that they have not allowed themselves to be dragged into evil? What a young
person
no one, coming out of the convent, without experience and almost without
ideas, and not carrying in the world, as it happens almost always
then, that an equal ignorance of good and evil; what a young person,
said I, could have resisted more so guilty artifices?
Ah! to be indulgent, just think of how many
circumstances independent of us holds the scary alternative of
delicacy, or depravity of our feelings. You made me
so justice, madame, thinking that the wrongs of Miss Volanges,
that I felt very strongly, do not inspire me any idea of
revenge. It's enough to be forced to give up loving him! he
it would cost me too much to hate her.
I did not need any thought to desire that all that the
concerning, and which could harm, remain forever ignored
the world. If I seemed to delay some time to fulfill your wishes to
In this respect, I think I can not hide the motive; I wanted
previously be sure that I would not be worried about the aftermath of
my unfortunate affair. At a time when I was asking for your indulgence,
where I even dared to believe I had some rights, I would have feared
to seem to buy it somehow, by this condescension
from me; and, sure of the purity of my motives, I had, I confess,
the pride of wanting you to be able to doubt it. I hope that
you will forgive this delicacy, perhaps too susceptible to
veneration that you inspire me, in case I do your esteem.
The same feeling makes me ask you, for last thanks, to

want to let me know if you feel I have filled all the
duties imposed on me by the unfortunate circumstances in which
which I found myself. Once quiet on this point, my
The party is taken: I leave for Malta; I will go there with pleasure and
to keep religiously vows that will separate me from a world
still young, I already had so much to complain about; I will finally go to
to lose, under a strange sky, the idea of ??so many accumulated horrors, and
whose memory could only sadden and wilt my soul.
I am, with respect, Madam, your very humble, etc.
LETTER CLXXV
The fate of Madame de Merteuil seems finally filled, my dear and worthy
friend, and he is such that his greatest enemies are shared between
the indignation it deserves and the pity it inspires. I had
reason to say that it might be a happiness for her to die
from his smallpox. She came back, it's true, but frightfully
disfigured, and she especially lost an eye. You judge well
that I did not see her, but I was told she was really
hideous.
The Marquis de ..., who does not miss the opportunity to say wickedness,
said yesterday, speaking of her, that the disease had returned to her and
that now his soul was on his face. Unfortunately everyone
found that the expression was right.
Another event has just added to his disgrace and his

wrongs. Her trial was tried the day before yesterday, and she lost it all
voice. Costs, damages and interest, restitution of fruits, everything has been
awarded to minors, so that the little fortune that was not
Compromise in this process is absorbed, and beyond by the costs.
As soon as she heard this news, although still sick, she

made her arrangements and left alone in the night and stationed. His
Today people say that none of them wanted to follow her. We believe
that she took the road to Holland.
This departure is more screaming than anything else, in that it has

took away his diamonds, a very important object that had to enter
in the succession of her husband; his silverware, his jewels, finally,
all she could, and that she leaves after her for nearly 50,000
pounds of debt. It's a real bankruptcy.
The family must assemble tomorrow to see to make arrangements

with the creditors. Although a distant relative, I offered to
compete; but I will not be at this meeting, in front of
to attend a ceremony sadder still. My daughter is taking tomorrow
the postulant's clothes. I hope you will not forget, my dear
good friend, that in this great sacrifice that I make, I have no other
reason, to believe me obliged, that the silence that you have kept
vis-�-vis me.
Mr. Danceny left Paris nearly two weeks ago. It is said that he will
to move to Malta and that he has plans to settle there. It might be
still time to keep it? ... My friend! ... my daughter is so good
guilty! You may forgive a mother for giving up only
difficult to this frightful certainty.
What fatality has spread around me for some time

and hit me in the most expensive objects! My daughter and my friend!
Who could not shudder in thinking of the misfortunes that can cause a
only dangerous connection! and what sorrows would not be avoided
by thinking more about it! What woman would not flee at first
about a seducer? What mother could without trembling, see a
other person that she talk to her daughter? But these late reflections
never arrive until after the event; and one of the most important
truths, as perhaps also more generally recognized, remains
stifled and without use in the whirlwind of our inconsistent manners.
Farewell, my dear and worthy friend; I feel right now that our reason,
already so inadequate to prevent our misfortunes, it is even more
to console us [57].
_Paris, this 14th of January 17 ** ._

The Dangerous Liaisons

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The Dangerous Liaisons

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THE DANGEROUS LIAISONS

_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY, to the Ursulines of ..._

[8] Pensioner of the same convent.

It is not yet five o'clock; I do not have to go find mom that

[9] Convent turret.

He just stopped a carriage at the door and mom makes me say

Agree that we are very learned! Goodbye, he's close to six

_Paris, this 3rd of August 17 ** ._

_The Marquise of MERTEUIL at Viscount VALMONT, at the castle of ..._

[11] To hear this passage, it is important to note that the Count of

_Paris, this 4th of August 17 ** ._

_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY_

I heard again, after supper, a man I'm sure who

That's Josephine, and she tells me she's in a hurry. I want to

After supper we started playing. I placed myself near

_Paris, this 4th of August 17 ** ._

_The Viscount of VALMONT at the Marquise de MERTEUIL, in Paris._

Do not be angry and listen to me. Custodian of all the secrets

You know President Tourvel, her devotion, her conjugal love,

And if to get it I do not take the price,

So you will know that the president is in Burgundy, following a

So here I am, for four days, delivered to a strong passion. You

_The Castle of ..., August 5, 17 ** ._

_The Marquise de MERTEUIL at Viscount VALMONT._

You, have the President Tourvel! but what a ridiculous caprice! I

Be aware that the small Volanges has already turned a head.

_Paris, this 7th of August 17 ** ._

_The Vicomte de VALMONT at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._

But what am I saying? Does Madame de Tourvel need illusion? no for

I directed his walk so that he found a ditch in

[13] We recognize here the bad taste of puns which

Let's be honest: in our arrangements, as cold as they are easy,

I am sure you would admire my prudence. I have not yet

_Of the castle of ..., this 9th of August 17 ** ._

_C�CILE VOLANGES to SOPHIE CARNAY_ [14].

_De ..., this 7th of August 17 ** ._

[14] To avoid abusing the reader's patience, we delete

_The President of TOURVEL to Madame de VOLANGES._

I'm really sorry I can not give you a voice

_Of the castle of ..., this 9th of August 17 ** ._

_Madame de VOLANGES to the President of TOURVEL._

Anyway, my beautiful friend, what age, experience and

Good-bye, my beautiful friend; here is the wedding of my daughter a little delayed.

_P.-S ._-- Remind me of the memory of Mme de Rosemonde, whom I love

_De ..., this 11th of August 17 ** ._

_The Marquise de MERTEUIL at Viscount VALMONT._

Do you sulk, viscount? Or are you dead? or, what

But you, who are no longer you, conduct yourself as if you

About negligence, you look like people who send

Immediately, to compensate him, perhaps to compensate myself,

After these preparations, while Victoire takes care of the others

As we had six hours together, and had resolved

Finally, at daybreak, it was necessary to separate and, whatever he said, what

_De ..., this 12th of August 17 ** ._

_The President of TOURVEL to Madame de VOLANGES._

Your severe letter would have frightened me, madam, if by chance I

On what you propose to me to work to shorten the stay that Mr. de

This, madam, is a long clarification, but I thought it necessary

I have the honor to be, etc.

_De ..., this 13th of August 17 ** ._

_C�CILE VOLANGES at the Marquise de MERTEUIL._

I have the honor to be, etc.

_De ..., this 13th of August 17 ** ._

_The Marquise of MERTEUIL in C�CILE VOLANGES._