Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 40 summary
Letter 40 of 177 · 4 min to read the letter
In Letter 40, Valmont tells the Marquise de Merteuil that the woman he pursues asks him to leave, and he agrees with conditions designed to preserve his control. He recounts her anger, her avoidance of him, and a brief walk arranged to deliver her letter, presenting his apparent obedience as another means of advancing his pursuit.
What happens
- Valmont reports that the woman he pursues rejects his letters and asks him to leave.
- He explains that accepting her order can entangle her, while an impossible condition preserves his freedom to refuse.
- He recalls her angry appearance at dinner and her refusal to join a carriage drive with his aunt.
- At breakfast the next day, her gentleness returns, and Valmont follows her into the park.
- She gives him a letter containing a request, withdraws her hand from his, and insists on returning indoors.
- Valmont directs Merteuil to read the woman's letter and his reply before continuing his account.
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In this letter
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Why does Valmont make one condition impossible to grant?
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