Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 104 summary

What happens

1. Merteuil thanks Madame de Volanges for her confidence and presents her disagreement as a modest contribution rather than authoritative advice.
2. She argues that maternal judgment should distinguish suitability from pleasure and that passion cannot excuse misconduct.
3. She favors Gercourt’s wealth and established merits over Danceny’s limited means and less certain character.
4. She imagines the daughter blaming her mother for permitting a marriage that brings unhappiness.
5. She contrasts love’s idealized expectations with marriages built through compromise, habit, trust, and esteem.
6. She leaves the decision to Madame de Volanges but asks for reasons if her friend remains unconvinced.

In this letter

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