Dangerous Liaisons

04 December: Merteuil writes to Valmont. She asks him to be careful with his threats. She stands to lose more than he. She does not want to be attached to anyone, which is why she never remarried. His (Valmont’s) last letter was very “marital” in tone. She owes him nothing. His jealousy lessens his worth in her eyes, which is unacceptable. She is neither hurt nor intimidated by his letter.

04 December: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He admits that both of them have the power to ruin the other; thus, it would be best to remain friends by renewing their first liaison. He tells her it is either this or “war.”

The editor provides Merteuil’s answer in a single sentence: “Very well, then. War!” (369).

05 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. Tourvel is not getting any better. Valmont has written to them both. She has replied to him but will not give Tourvel the letter he wrote for her (the editor decided not to include this letter). Valmont appears penitent, but who knows if what he says is true or just more deception.

05 December: Valmont writes to Danceny. He applauds him for his victory and tells him, though, that he only knows half the truth. He will tell him the whole truth and he must decide how to act upon it. Cécile worked hard to get a place and time for the two of them to meet. The enclosed letter will tell him this. He tells Danceny not to give up Cécile for Merteuil. For himself, he misses Tourvel: “Ah, believe me, only love can make one happy” (373).

04 December: Cécile writes to Danceny. She wonders about his love for her and asks him why he has not come to see her, especially when it would have been so easy. She has everyone on her side. He has the opportunity to come to her room. She expects him that night.

05 December: Danceny writes to Valmont. He tells him not to doubt his love for Cécile. She is his one true love, and he has felt at odds with his recent pleasures. He will give up Merteuil for Cécile. He thanks Valmont for his great friendship.

06 December: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He asks her if she enjoyed herself last night. Danceny is a fine lover and rival. He dictated the letter Cécile wrote. It is better to have him as a friend than as an enemy.

06 December: Merteuil writes to Valmont. She does not appreciate his mockery, and he congratulates himself too early.

06 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. Tourvel is getting worse; however, in a brief spell of lucidity she dictated to her maid a letter, which she is sending with hers. The maid did not mail it since she was not given an address. It gives a glimpse into the mind of their sick friend.

05 December: Tourvel writes to no one and everyone. She asks him to leave her alone and why he continues to torment her. She wonders where all her friends have gone, now that she is dying. She asks her husband to take vengeance on her. Her lover has returned. He is the monster again. Where are her friends. Please write to her. She tells him goodbye.

06 December: Danceny writes to Valmont. He knows everything Valmont has done to him. He has seen it written in Valmont’s own hand. He hopes Valmont will meet him at the gates of the Bois de Vincennes at nine in the morning, where everything has been prepared for explanations.

07 December: Monsieur Bertrand writes to Rosemonde. He regrets to inform her about her nephew’s death. He died in a duel against Danceny. He has a bundle of documents that Valmont gave him to give to her before his death.

08 December: Rosemonde writes to Monsieur Bertrand. She thanks him for his letter. She wants him to lodge an accusation against Danceny, even if Valmont pardoned him.

09 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. She informs her of Tourvel’s death. She learned of Valmont’s own, which caused her great suffering. She asked for Father Anselme, saying he was the only doctor she needed. She remembers how, months ago, they spoke of Tourvel’s virtue and happiness.

10 December: Monsieur Bertrand writes to Rosemonde. He has done as she asked and saw the Président de – about accusing Danceny. The Président feels it would be unwise to do so because it would mean besmirching Valmont’s memory.

10 December: An anonymous person writes to Danceny. The person informs him that Rosemonde will most likely bring charges against him. He should prepare himself. It would perhaps be a good idea to communicate with her about it all.

11 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. She has been hearing a lot of rumors about Merteuil. She finds them hard to believe and wonders if she (Rosemonde) can ascertain the truth. It is said the quarrel between Danceny and Valmont was Merteuil’s doing. Valmont showed Danceny her letters (specifically, Letters 81 and 85), which he in turn showed many others, producing the rumors. She wanted to talk to Danceny, but he has left Paris, afraid of the consequences of the duel.

12 December: Danceny writes to Rosemonde. In his letter, Danceny apologizes to her for her sorrow in losing her nephew, assuring her of his innocence. He has proof of everything, and thus, entrusts Rosemonde with all the letters he has enclosed, save for two (Letters 81 and 85), which he made public and of which he will keep the originals. A footnote tells the reader that the letters are those from which this novel has been assembled.

13 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. She tells her about Cécile’s disappearance—she has run away to a convent. She wants to become a nun and will not tell her why. She assumes the deaths of Tourvel and Valmont were too much for her. Gercourt is due to return, and she fears what she must do: allow Cécile to stay in the convent and break off the marriage.

15 December: Rosemonde writes to Danceny. She laments what happened and agrees it should remain unknown. She misses Valmont and despises Merteuil. She asks that he give her Cécile’s letters to him but not for Cécile’s sake, rather for her mother’s. He did wrong by seducing Cécile, and thus, he should not refuse her request. 

15 December: Rosemonde writes to Madame de Volanges. She tells her that the truth about Merteuil is far worse than the rumors and she has the proof, but asks her not to ask for details. She tells her she should allow Cécile to become a nun and not to look into the reasons why.

18 December: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. She asks for insight into Rosemonde’s advice concerning Cécile. She feels it must be that Cécile slept with Danceny. In that case, she asks if she should demand that Danceny marry Cécile (a footnote explains that this was never answered). She tells her about what she heard of Merteuil’s ignominious fall: At the theater, she was treated as an outcast and shunned. She is now ill with smallpox. Moreover, it appears her court case is not going well.

26 December: Danceny writes to Rosemonde. He graciously returns Cécile’s letters to her. He could never seek revenge against her. He wonders about how innocent and naïve she was, just coming from the convent. Merteuil is to blame. He will now go to Malta and become a full member of the Order there.

14 January: Madame de Volanges writes to Rosemonde. Merteuil lost her court case. She is horribly scarred by smallpox, having even lost sight in one eye. She fled for Holland with all the jewels she could carry, leaving behind a huge debt. Cécile is about to take her vows as a nun. She wonders if there is still time to stop it. She laments the horrible causes brought about by one “dangerous liaison.”