Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 79 summary
Letter 79 of 177 · 11 min to read the letter
In Letter 79, the Vicomte de Valmont tells the Marquise de Merteuil how Prévan seduces three close friends, reconciles with their rejected lovers, and helps those men humiliate them. He uses the story to warn Merteuil that cleverness cannot protect her from every dangerous mistake.
What happens
- Bad weather keeps Valmont indoors, where he writes Merteuil an account of Prévan’s celebrated adventure.
- Prévan enters the inseparables’ circle, notices weakening attachments, and pursues all three women together.
- He divides another mistress’s keepsakes among them, obtains their breakup letters, and arranges three successive encounters.
- Their rejected lovers challenge him, but he turns the proposed duels into a friendly breakfast and a revenge pact.
- Prévan lures each woman to his house, reunites her with her former lover, and exposes the deception at supper.
- The men abandon the women and publicize their disgrace; Valmont urges Merteuil to let caution guide her pleasures.
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In this letter
What to notice
The closing appeal makes the story a warning to Merteuil. Valmont presents his advice as protective friendship rather than mere gossip.
Quick check
How does Prévan avoid fighting the three rejected lovers?
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