Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Part 1, Letters 21-25 Summary

Letter 21: The Vicomte de Valmont to the Marquise de Merteuil

Valmont sends his manservant to find someone unfortunate in the neighborhood.
He announces he's going hunting, but his real aim is to put on a show for the spy.
Tourvel, feeling a little guilty at her spying, tries to talk him out of it.
Valmont heads out the next day and stops at the home of the family in need.
Their furniture is being taken because they can't pay taxes.
Valmont covers their debt and gives money to the villagers.
They thank God for his generosity, and he asks them to pray to God for the success of his plans.
Remember: this is all a show for the spy. Valmont wants Tourvel to think he's a changed man.
He figures that with this money, he's paid for Tourvel and has a right to bed her.

Valmont can't be an "irreclaimable libertine," Tourvel argues, because he helped a family in need out of the goodness of his heart.
Clearly Valmont's plan worked.
Hearing the report of Valmont's good deeds moves Tourvel to tears.
When she asked him about it, he wouldn't admit it at first. So modest!
She's certain his actions are a sign that people can change for the better.

Tourvel reveals to Valmont that she knows about his charitable deeds.
Valmont's aunt, Madame de Rosemonde, embraces Valmont for his generosity.
Valmont uses the opportunity to embrace Tourvel as well, despite her attempt to escape.
The expression of affection leaves her trembling.
Valmont explains to her that he used to be bad because he was around bad people.
Now that he's in the company of great virtue—Madame Tourvel—he wants to be good.
He tells her he adores her and falls to his knees weeping.
Tourvel completely falls apart, and Valmont's tempted to take advantage her that minute.
He reminds himself how much better it would be to watch Tourvel slowly succumb to his charms.
She escapes to her room and Valmont follows her.
He spies her through the keyhole and sees her in her room praying and in tears.

Valmont lays a huge guilt trip on Madame de Tourvel for making him miserable. How can she not see his suffering?
He sees how upset she was about his expression of love and knows she has no pity in her heart. He begs her to teach him how to control his passion for her and reassures her she has nothing to fear from him.
As if.

Tourvel pretends to be sick to avoid Valmont. Madame de Rosemonde asks him to take Tourvel's pulse, so he has the chance to touch her bare arm.
She won't even look at him.
He puts a letter on her bed, but has to retrieve it because Madame de Rosemonde might get a look at it.
When he gets a chance to speak to Tourvel, she says she's written to him.
Of course, Valmont encloses the letter for The Marquise to read and evaluate. He says that Tourvel is pretending not to be in love with him.
He has more to say about Cécile, but that will wait for another time.