Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 134 summary

What happens

1. Merteuil rejects Valmont’s proposed arrangement and argues that his attachment to Mme de Tourvel amounts to love.
2. She says his changed descriptions of Tourvel preserve the same belief that this woman is exceptional.
3. She proposes friendship, then demands conduct proving that Tourvel means no more to him than any ordinary woman.
4. She insists that he continue his involvement with Cécile under her orders and suggests that obedience might earn a reunion.
5. She expresses doubts about her lawsuit, declares the Belleroche affair finished, and asks Valmont to write often.

In this letter

What to notice

Marquise de MERTEUIL rejects promises as adequate proof. Her demand makes Valmont’s actions, rather than his declarations, the test of his attachment.

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