Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 68 summary
Letter 68 of 177 · 3 min to read the letter
In Letter 68, the Viscount de VALMONT rejects the Présidente de TOURVEL’s offer of friendship, claiming that accepting it would conceal his continuing desire and betray her trust. He insists that she cannot take away his right to love her, turns her refusal into an accusation of cruelty, and renews his promise of lasting devotion.
What happens
- Valmont says that honesty risks Tourvel’s regard but matters more than winning her.
- He acknowledges her trust and offer of friendship, yet declares that he cannot accept them.
- He describes how a merely calculating seducer would exploit her confidence and friendship.
- He argues that genuine love cannot accept the emotional distance or shared affection that friendship permits.
- He defends his right to love despite her refusals and renews his vow of lasting devotion.
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In this letter
What to notice
The refusal states his central position plainly. He rejects the boundary Tourvel offers and presents continued romantic devotion as the only honest response.
Quick check
Why does Valmont say he cannot accept Tourvel’s friendship?
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