Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 127 summary
Letter 127 of 177 · 3 min to read the letter
In Letter 127, the Marquise de Merteuil rejects the Vicomte de Valmont’s proposal because she sees it as placing her beneath Madame de Tourvel and Cécile. She favors Danceny’s devotion, refuses to treat silence as consent, and tells Valmont to make other arrangements rather than expect intimacy with her.
What happens
- Merteuil explains that she leaves Valmont’s earlier letter unanswered because it annoys and confuses her, not because she lacks time.
- She rejects a proposal that, in her view, makes her available whenever his other attachments permit.
- She argues that Danceny’s youthful devotion offers her greater happiness and pleasure than Valmont does.
- She excludes Valmont even as a possible additional lover and says their expectations differ too greatly.
- She ends by rejecting his assumption of consent and replacing their former familiarity with a formal farewell.
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In this letter
What to notice
The contrast states her central objection: she wants distinction and control, not a subordinate share of Valmont’s attention.
Quick check
Why does Merteuil say she leaves Valmont’s letter of the 19th unanswered?
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