Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 44 summary

What happens

1. Valmont receives permission to write to the woman he pursues, but she also urges him to leave.
2. After her maid refuses a bribe, Valmont and his huntsman stage an embarrassing discovery that forces her cooperation.
3. The maid delivers her mistress’s pockets, and Valmont finds preserved letters, tear marks, and a handwritten copy.
4. Letters from Madame de Volanges reveal her warnings against him, prompting his plan to ruin her daughter.
5. Valmont announces his departure and presses the woman to accept physical attention despite her resistance.
6. He reports no further private encounter and receives an invitation to deliver to Madame de Volanges.

In this letter

What to notice

Vicomte de Valmont’s anger turns the daughter into a means of punishing her mother. The line makes his intended revenge explicit.

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