Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Part 1, Letters 16-20 Summary

Letter 16: Cécile de Volanges to Sophie Carney

Cécile is bursting with good news to tell Sophie.
Danceny has written to Cécile to express his affections; he hid it in her harp.
He's dejected because he figures he hasn't got a chance with Cécile
Cécile returns his feelings, but she's not sure whether she should respond to the letter.
She wants to encourage him but thinks it might be improper.
She doesn't really like this hard-to-get game, but she plans to ask the Marquise what he should do. We're sure she'll get objective advice.

Danceny professes his love for Cécile. He's a mess.
He tells Cécile that if she doesn't return his affections then his fate will be eternal misery.
Basically, if he suffers, it's all her fault. One word from her will restore his happiness.
Maybe he thinks this sounds romantic?

Cécile knows replying to Danceny would be improper, but she believes her circumstances are truly unique.
In fairness, she's only 15, and not much used to boys.
At the music lesson, Danceny asks if he can fetch her harp (their means of transporting letters).
She says yes, but she hasn't yet answered his letter.
Danceny returns looking like he just got picked for the Hunger Games.
Cécile can't stand seeing him so sad, so she writes a quick note promising to write to him and puts it in the harp.
He's overjoyed when he sees it and reaches out to squeeze her hand.
She loves it but knows it's not proper, and pulls her hand away.
She'll ask Sophie for advice before she writes to Danceny.

Cécile asks Danceny not to write to her again.
She's changed her mind about writing to him because she's afraid to get in trouble.
She begs him not to look so sad.

Certain he won't succeed, Merteuil promises to sleep with Valmont if he can provide proof in writing that he's successfully seduced Madame de Tourvel.
She can't imagine that a prude like Tourvel would actually admit her lust in a letter, so it's a long shot.
She thinks Cécile is adorable and finds her budding romance with Danceny pretty amusing.
She's still cooking up some mischief to embarrass Gercourt.
Unfortunately for the adorable Cécile, it involves turning her into a "woman of experience."