Letter 125: The Vicomte de Valmont to the Marquise de Merteuil
- In the very long and detailed letter, Valmont declares victory over Madame de Tourvel, even though he has to admit he felt a bit conquered by passion himself. He feels he was carried away for the first time in his life.
- He's never had a woman give herself to him as completely as Madame de Tourvel did.
- He wants to think of his feelings as only glory about his conquest. Otherwise, he'd be humiliated to think that he allowed a woman to have control over his pleasure.
- Not that he wouldn't be able to give her up anytime he wants…he's sure of that. Still.
- Anyway, here's how he describes it to the Marquise.
- He arrives at Madame de Tourvel's home at six in the evening.
- She tries to stand when he walks in but has to sit back down because she's trembling.
- He studies the room, noticing an ottoman and a portrait of her husband. He thinks the ottoman would be just the place for his plan and hopes she's not paying too much attention to her husband's portrait.
- Instead of asking for forgiveness, Valmont tells her she's treated him with contempt.
- He insists on either justifying himself in her eyes or apologizing for his offenses.
- She speaks of her first duty, but can't even finish the sentence.
- Tenderly, Valmont asks if she fled because of him.
- She says yes.
- He asks if they must part forever.
- Yes.
- He responds that he'll either possess her or die—implying that he'll kill himself.
- He repeats this thinly veiled threat.
- He starts to leave but she calls out to him. She throws herself in a faint into his arms.
- He carries her to the ottoman and does the deed; seems the Presidente is still in a faint during most of it.
- Valmont's very satisfied with the result of all his strategic planning.
- When Madame de Tourvel comes to, she spaces out, sobs and convulses.
- But then she relaxes, promises her complete and lifelong devotion to his happiness, and gives herself to him again.
- He admits he was completely intoxicated with passion and is still thinking about the whole episode.
- Valmont now insists that the Marquise occupy herself exclusively with him.
- In a P.S., he informs the Marquise that Prévan has been obliged to leave his regiment.
Letter 126: Madame de Rosemonde to the Présidente de Tourvel
- Ironically placed, Madame de Rosemonde's letter praises the Présidente de Tourvel for being able to resist Valmont's charms.
Letter 127: The Marquise de Merteuil to the Vicomte de Valmont
- The Marquise is no longer willing to be a prize for Valmont.
- She can tell from his letter how infatuated he is with Madame de Tourvel and she's not willing to be second in anyone's affections.
- Even Danceny holds her in higher esteem now than Valmont.
- So he can just get his kisses somewhere else from now on.
Letter 128: The Présidente de Tourvel to Madame de Rosemonde
- Madame Tourvel says that Madame de Rosemonde's letter, with all its harsh realities, was upsetting to her.
- But it's too late—she now plans to devote her life to Valmont and the letter won't make her regret it.
- She's still suffering, but if Valmont's happy then her suffering doesn't matter.
- She knows she's been ruined, but she lives only for him now.
- She'll be judged only by him.
- She knows that this probably means the end of her friendship with Madame de Rosemonde.
Letter 129: The Vicomte de Valmont to the Marquise de Merteuil
- Valmont tries to reassure the Marquise that no woman compares with her in his eyes.
- The colorful adjectives he used to describe Tourvel were occasioned by the mood of the moment, not her qualities.
- He tells the Marquise that she's totally superior to any other women.
- His compliments about Cécile were only a result of the task the Marquise gave him.
- He appeals to her sense of justice to deliver what she promised and she'll see that she's the only one who possesses his heart.
Letter 130: Madame de Rosemonde to the Présidente de Tourvel
- Madame de Rosemonde responds to the news kindly.
- She will always be Madame de Tourvel's mother figure regardless of what happens.
- She tries to reassure Madame de Tourvel that many women have succumbed to love like she has—its what women tend to do.
- And she reminds her "daughter" that her devotion to Valmont doesn't take away the gift of herself that she's given to her friends.