Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 91: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel explained
Valmont responds to Tourvel's letter with a dramatic plea, arguing that her fear of him is unfounded and that she should not banish him.
What happens
Valmont responds to Tourvel's letter with a dramatic plea, arguing that her fear of him is unfounded and that she should not banish him. He professes his submission and devotion, while subtly manipulating her by framing her request for separation as an act of injustice and cruelty.
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
- Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont uses emotional blackmail and feigned submission to pressure Tourvel into continuing their correspondence and meeting.
- Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a respectful, suffering lover while his true intent is to manipulate and seduce Tourvel.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Writes a manipulative and passionate letter to Tourvel, pleading for a meeting and denying any danger he poses.
- Madame de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she has apparently written to him expressing fear and requesting separation.
Key passages
“Plunged into consternation as I am by your letter, how shall I answer it, Madam?”
Your letter has thrown me into shock; I don't know how to respond.
Valmont opens with a dramatic display of distress to elicit sympathy.
“It is the dangerous man who is feared and fled.”
Only a dangerous man would be feared and avoided.
Valmont subtly denies being dangerous while implying Tourvel's fear is irrational.
“I am in the situation of the accused before his judge, of the slave before his lord.”
I am like a defendant before a judge, or a slave before a master.
Valmont uses legal and servile metaphors to portray himself as powerless and submissive.
“If a lover, a friend, should ever come to talk to you of gratitude, would you not say to him with indignation, Withdraw, you are a worthless man?”
If a lover or friend offered you mere gratitude, you would angrily reject them as worthless.
Valmont argues that gratitude is an insult to true love, pressuring Tourvel to offer more.
