Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 172 summary
Letter 172 of 177 · 2 min to read the letter
In Letter 172, Madame de Rosemonde tells Madame de Volanges that she holds proof of Mme de Merteuil’s wrongdoing but refuses to disclose details. She advises accepting Mlle de Volanges’s choice to remain in the convent, ending the arranged marriage, and seeking no further explanations about these painful events.
What happens
- Madame de Rosemonde says unexpected, reliable information confirms that Mme de Merteuil deceives her friend.
- She states that she holds many proofs but asks Madame de Volanges to accept her word without demanding them.
- She urges her friend not to resist her daughter’s religious calling and presents divine severity as possible mercy.
- She recommends leaving Mlle de Volanges in the convent and breaking off the arranged marriage.
- She asks for no further questions and urges trust in Providence rather than distressing disclosures.
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In this letter
What to notice
Rosemonde bases her certainty on evidence she personally holds. Yet she asks friendship to substitute for disclosure, making her authority and her silence central to the letter.
Quick check
What does Rosemonde advise concerning Mlle de Volanges’s arranged marriage?
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