Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 139: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde explained
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde, expressing regret for her earlier hasty letter that caused her friend distress.
What happens
Madame de Tourvel writes to Madame de Rosemonde, expressing regret for her earlier hasty letter that caused her friend distress. She joyfully announces that Valmont has been cleared of her suspicions, declaring him innocent and their love restored. She justifies her forgiveness by appealing to the idea that infidelity among men is not inconstancy, and she feels her happiness deepened by the fear of losing him.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because Valmont reaches the peak of his sadistic triumph—the "brilliant éclat" of…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love, Virtue, and Corruption
Tourvel reconciles her love for Valmont with his infidelity by redefining his actions as a minor error, prioritizing emotional happiness over strict moral judgment.
- Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Tourvel's justification that 'infidelity is not inconstancy' among men reveals a double standard that allows her to maintain the appearance of a virtuous love while excusing Valmont's betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Madame de Tourvel
The letter's author, who recounts her emotional journey from grief to ecstasy after reconciling with Valmont.
- Madame de Rosemonde
The recipient, whom Tourvel apologizes to for causing worry and whose judgment she invokes to justify her forgiveness.
- Viscount de Valmont
Defended by Tourvel as innocent and loving, with his infidelity dismissed as a trivial error.
Key passages
“Valmont is innocent: with so much love there can be no guilt”
Tourvel declares Valmont blameless, arguing that his love absolves him of any wrongdoing.
This reflects her emotional reasoning, where love overrides objective judgment.
“you say among men infidelity is not inconstancy”
Tourvel recalls Madame de Rosemonde's view that a man's unfaithfulness does not count as true inconstancy.
She uses this societal double standard to justify forgiving Valmont's infidelity.
