Dangerous Liaisons
The virtuous married woman whom Valmont sets out to seduce as a challenge.
Letter 4: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The target of Valmont's seduction; described as devout, married, and principled, making her a worthy challenge.
Letter 5: The Marchioness de Merteuil, to the Viscount Valmont
Subject of Merteuil's scorn; described as a plain, prudish, devout woman unworthy of Valmont's attention.
Letter 6: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Described as naturally beautiful, modest, and sensitive; Valmont interprets her physical reactions as signs of love.
Letter 8: Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Volanges
Writes to Madame de Volanges, expressing support for Cecilia's marriage and describing her country stay with Madame de Rosemonde and Valmont.
Letter 9: Madame de Volanges to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; warned about Valmont's dangerous nature.
Letter 10: The Marchioness de Merteuil, to Viscount Valmont
Referenced as the object of Valmont's infatuation, whom Merteuil mocks as a woman who will yield awkwardly.
Letter 11: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame Volanges
Writes to Madame de Volanges, defending Valmont's conduct and explaining her reasons for staying at the chateau.
Letter 15: Viscount Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Object of Valmont's pursuit; she has set a servant to spy on him, which Valmont discovers and plans to exploit.
Letter 20: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount Valmont
Referenced as the 'lovely devotee' Valmont must conquer to earn Merteuil's favor.
Letter 21: From Viscount Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The target of Valmont's scheme; he notes her curiosity and attempts to dissuade him from shooting.
Letter 22: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Volanges
Writes to Madame de Volanges, recounting Valmont's charitable act and defending his character.
Letter 23: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Praises Valmont publicly, becomes emotionally overwhelmed during his confession, and retreats to her room in tears.
Letter 24: Viscount Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient; accused of cruelty and lack of pity, called upon to guide Valmont's passion.
Letter 25: Viscount Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The 'fair pretended invalid' who refuses Valmont's letter initially but later admits she has written to him.
Letter 26: The Presidente de Tourvel to Viscount Valmont
Writes to Valmont to defend her honor and demand an end to his advances.
Letter 32: Madame de Volanges to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of the letter; Volanges appeals to her friendship and warns her against the dangers of associating with Valmont.
Letter 33: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Subject of Valmont's epistolary campaign; Merteuil analyzes her virtue and resistance.
Letter 34: Viscount Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The target of Valmont's schemes; she refuses his letters and tears up the disguised one in front of others, though Valmont suspects she will read it.
Letter 35: Viscount Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter, who has commanded him to be silent and forget her, and who has been influenced by others against him.
Letter 36: Viscount Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont accuses her of severity and unjust judgment, and appeals to her virtue and mercy.
Letter 37: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Volanges
Writes to Madame de Volanges, defending her cautious approach to Valmont and outlining her plan to request his departure.
Letter 40: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Feigns illness and ill humor, delivers a letter to Valmont requesting his departure, then retreats to her apartment.
Letter 41: The Presidente de Tourvel to Viscount Valmont
Writes to Valmont, expressing indignation at his conduct and demanding he depart to preserve her honor.
Letter 42: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she has imposed conditions on him, and he seeks to guilt her into granting a meeting.
Sequel to the Fortieth Letter
Valmont describes Tourvel's refusal to name his accusers and her anxious concern for his feigned illness.
Letter 43: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Valmont, defending her refusal to betray her friends' names and to correspond with him, while urging him to depart.
Letter 44: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Her secret love for Valmont is revealed through her preserved, tear-stained letters; she is distressed by his departure.
Letter 45: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Volanges
Writes to inform Madame de Volanges of Valmont's departure, expressing mixed feelings of duty and regret.
Letter 47: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont writes to her while in bed with Emily, describing his infidelity.
Letter 48: The Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; he addresses her directly, accusing her of causing his torment and contrasting her calm with his turmoil.
Letter 50: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Valmont, firmly rejecting his advances and pleading for silence on the subject of love.
Letter 52: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont addresses her directly, accusing her of indifference and cruelty while pleading for her to acknowledge his love.
Letter 56: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Valmont, firmly rejecting his advances and asserting her commitment to her husband and virtue.
Letter 57: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Mentioned briefly as Valmont compares his own seduction of her to Danceny's situation with Cecilia.
Letter 58: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont addresses her reproaches and attempts to guilt her into continued correspondence.
Letter 67: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes to Valmont, offering friendship as a condition for continued correspondence.
Letter 68: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she had offered him frankness, confidence, and friendship, which he refuses.
Letter 70: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Offered Valmont a plan of capitulation proposing friendship; Valmont refuses, aiming for a more agonizing seduction.
Letter 74: Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount de Valmont
Referenced as the 'Presidente' whom Merteuil helped Valmont regain access to.
Letter 76: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont describes her emotional reaction to his arrival; she is overwhelmed and leaves the table; later, they exchange tender glances.
Letter 77: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; accused by Valmont of avoiding him, feigning illness, and treating him with undeserved severity.
Letter 78: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Author of the letter; defends her behavior and reproaches Valmont for his manipulative and disrespectful conduct.
Letter 81: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Mentioned as the object of Valmont's clumsy seduction; Merteuil belittles his 'triumph' over this 'weak woman.'
Letter 83: Viscount de Valmont, to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont appeals to her sense of virtue and friendship while attempting to overcome her resistance.
Letter 90: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes a desperate letter confessing her love and weakness, begging Valmont to leave her to preserve her innocence and virtue.
Letter 91: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she has apparently written to him expressing fear and requesting separation.
Letter 96: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Subject of Valmont's philosophical defense; he describes her as a 'celestial woman' engaged in a struggle between love and virtue.
Letter 99: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The object of Valmont's seduction; nearly yields to him but then prays and begs him to leave, showing her inner conflict.
Letter 100: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Has secretly fled the chateau, provoking Valmont's rage and desire for revenge.
Letter 101: The Viscount de Valmont to Azolan, His Huntsman
Subject of Valmont's surveillance; her departure from the chateau triggers his instructions.
Letter 102: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes a desperate letter confessing her love for Valmont and her decision to flee to avoid further temptation.
Letter 103: Madame de Rosemonde to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of the letter; Rosemonde addresses her with affection and concern, acknowledging her hidden love and distress.
Letter 107: Azolan to the Viscount de Valmont
Subject of surveillance; she has returned to Paris, is deeply distressed, writes letters, and seeks confession.
Letter 108: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes in deep distress, confessing her love and the agony of separation from Valmont, and her reliance on Madame de Rosemonde's guidance.
Letter 110: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont's 'ungrateful devotee' who has returned his letters unopened and changed her confidant to Madame de Rosemonde.
Letter 112: Madame de Rosemonde to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; her letters have redoubled Rosemonde's friendship.
Letter 113: Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Referenced as the object of Valmont's 'ridiculous adventure'; Merteuil suggests she may be congratulating herself for humbling him.
Letter 114: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes anxiously about Valmont's health and her own melancholy, confessing she regrets not reading his letters.
Letter 115: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont boasts of his conquest and plans to abandon her.
Letter 119: Madame de Rosemonde to the Presidente de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Rosemonde shares observations about Valmont.
Letter 120: Viscount de Valmont to Father Anselmus
The subject of Valmont's letter; he seeks to meet her through Father Anselmus and claims to revere her as an instrument of his reform.
Letter 122: Madame de Rosemonde to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of the letter, whom Rosemonde addresses as 'my lovely daughter' and seeks to inform about Valmont's condition.
Letter 123: Father Anselmus to the Viscount de Valmont
The person mentioned; initially determined in her resolution but consents to receive Valmont one last time after Anselmus's remonstrances.
Letter 124: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes in turmoil about Valmont's reformation and her own suffering.
Letter 125: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The object of Valmont's conquest; she resists but ultimately succumbs to his manipulation.
Letter 126: Madame de Rosemonde to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient; praised for her virtuous resistance and invited to return to the chateau.
Letter 127: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Referenced sarcastically as Valmont's 'adorable' and 'celestial' conquest.
Letter 128: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Confesses her complete devotion to Valmont and her choice to sacrifice her virtue for his happiness.
Letter 129: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Mentioned as one of the women Valmont praised, but he insists Merteuil is preferred.
Letter 130: Madame de Rosemonde, to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient, who has withdrawn from correspondence and is in distress over her love for Valmont.
Letter 131: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Referenced as 'your celestial prude' and 'the tender devotee'; Merteuil expects Valmont to have obtained her first letter.
Letter 132: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes to Madame de Rosemonde, defending Valmont and expressing her blissful but deluded state of love.
Letter 133: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Described as a rare woman of delicacy and sensation, whose emotional responses Valmont studies; he offers to sacrifice her to prove his independence.
Letter 134: Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Mentioned as the object of Valmont's alleged love; Merteuil refers to her as 'rare' and 'astonishing.'
Letter 135: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes in a state of overwhelming despair and humiliation after witnessing Valmont with a courtesan.
Letter 136: The Presidente de Tourvel to the Viscount de Valmont
Writes a letter of reproach and final separation, demanding her letters back and accusing Valmont of contempt.
Letter 137: Viscount de Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel
The recipient of Valmont's letter; she had accused him of insulting her by being seen with Emily.
Letter 138: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The 'tender prude' and 'austere devotee' who sends Valmont a severe rupture note after discovering his night with Emily.
Letter 139: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
The letter's author, who recounts her emotional journey from grief to ecstasy after reconciling with Valmont.
Letter 140: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Mentioned as having not engaged Valmont's attention for some days.
Letter 141: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Merteuil argues that Valmont is still in love with her, despite his libertine actions, and that he debases himself to win her back.
Letter 142: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The 'celestial Presidente' to whom Valmont sent the copied letter; he awaits her answer.
Letter 143: The Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
Writes in profound despair, having received a devastating letter; she speaks of shame, remorse, and an assured and speedy death.
Letter 144: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Tourvel has entered a convent, an act Valmont interprets as a sign of his lasting influence over her.
Letter 145: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Referenced as the woman Valmont supposedly abandoned; Merteuil considers her a rival and gloats over her defeat.
Letter 147: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
Suffers from violent delirium, refuses remedies, and has secluded herself in a convent, expressing a desire to die.
Letter 149: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
The patient, briefly lucid then relapses into frenzy after receiving a letter from Valmont.
Letter 151: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Referenced by Valmont as the woman he sacrificed for Merteuil, now dying of grief.
Letter 154: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
The patient, described as being in a melancholy state with incessant frenzy, unable to understand communications.
Letter 155: The Viscount de Valmont to the Chevalier Danceny
Valmont expresses desperation at being separated from her, lamenting his current state.
Letter 157: The Chevalier Danceny to the Viscount de Valmont
Mentioned as still inexorable and very ill; Danceny hopes for her recovery and reconciliation with Valmont.
Letter 160: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
Lies in a critical state, with a consultation of four physicians; dictated a letter during a lucid moment but then suffered delirium.
Letter 161: The Presidente de Tourvel
Dictates a letter from the convent, expressing profound despair, guilt, and conflicted feelings toward Valmont.
Letter 165: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
Dies at eleven o'clock the previous night after briefly regaining consciousness, praying for Valmont's forgiveness, and receiving last rites.
Endnotes
Mentioned in relation to a letter not found and her possible reading of Rousseau.
