Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 75: Cecilia Volanges to Sophia Carnay explained
Cecilia writes to Sophia about her admiration for Valmont's cleverness in secretly delivering Danceny's letter, her fear that he may leave the chateau, and her reliance on Madame de Merteuil for guidance in her love affair.
What happens
Cecilia writes to Sophia about her admiration for Valmont's cleverness in secretly delivering Danceny's letter, her fear that he may leave the chateau, and her reliance on Madame de Merteuil for guidance in her love affair. She expresses bashfulness and a desire to see Danceny, trusting Valmont to arrange a meeting.
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 Exposition.
- 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
- Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's artful manipulation of Cecilia and Danceny's affair, using secret letters and nonverbal cues to orchestrate their romance.
- Innocence and Experience
Cecilia's naive admiration for Valmont's cunning and her bashfulness about love contrast with the experienced manipulation she is caught in.
Characters to notice
- Cecilia Volanges
Narrates the letter, expressing her admiration for Valmont's artfulness and her shyness about her love for Danceny.
- Sophia Carnay
Recipient of the letter; Cecilia's confidante.
- Viscount de Valmont
Praised by Cecilia as a very extraordinary and artful man who secretly delivers Danceny's letters and plans to arrange a meeting.
- Chevalier Danceny
Cecilia's lover; enamoured with Valmont and the object of Cecilia's affection.
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Cecilia's confidante in her love affair, mentioned as someone she can speak freely to.
Key passages
“I assure you he is a very extraordinary man: my mamma speaks very ill of him, but the Chevalier Danceny is enamoured with him, and I believe he is in the right.”
Cecilia tells Sophia that Valmont is remarkable, despite her mother's bad opinion, and that Danceny admires him, which she agrees with.
Cecilia's trust in Valmont is influenced by Danceny's endorsement, showing her naivety.
“I never saw a man so artful; when he gave me Danceny’s letter, it was amongst a good deal of company, and no one knew anything of the matter.”
Cecilia marvels at Valmont's cleverness in secretly passing Danceny's letter in a crowded room without detection.
Highlights Valmont's manipulative skill and Cecilia's admiration for his cunning.
