Dangerous Liaisons

20 August: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He believes he is definitely on the right track with Tourvel. He tells Merteuil how he used Tourvel’s spy against her: He discovered a family being evicted because they owed money. He arranged it so that Tourvel’s spy would catch him rescuing this family by paying their debt. Their gratitude touched him, and he was momentarily weak. He gave them more money, but the effect was already gone: “Necessity produced the important, the true effect” (48). He has to end his letter before he can tell Merteuil the best part.

20 August: Tourvel writes to Madame de Volanges. She tells Volanges how Valmont’s reputation might be a bit undeserved. She tells about what he did for the destitute family. She doubts he must be an “out and out libertine” (50).

21 August: Valmont writes to Merteuil. He finishes the story he had to cut off earlier. Tourvel was giving him glances, and she told him she knew what he had done. He played modest. Later in the day, when the two were alone, he professed his love for her. She fled to her room. He followed, but she had locked herself inside. Through the keyhole, he saw her praying.