Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 121 summary
Letter 121 of 177 · 4 min to read the letter
In Letter 121, the Marquise de Merteuil rebukes the Chevalier Danceny for using romantic flattery instead of speaking frankly, and threatens to stop answering him. She presents his attachment to Cécile as a safeguard for their friendship, while praising his restraint and stressing the dangers women face in surrendering their virtue.
What happens
- Merteuil warns Danceny that she may stop writing unless he abandons language that confuses friendship with love.
- She says she wants to see him, but mocks the exaggerated phrases he uses to express such feelings.
- She ranks his company above legal business and Belleroche, then insists that frankness supports her affectionate friendship.
- She welcomes his attachment elsewhere as protection against love, while noting how young his chosen mistress is.
- She approves his reasons for delaying happiness and describes a woman's surrender of virtue as a grave misfortune.
- She closes by crediting Danceny with protecting her from love and offering a prayer for him.
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In this letter
Quick check
Why does Merteuil welcome a young friend whose affection is directed elsewhere?
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