Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Part 1, Letters 36-40 Summary

Letter 36: The Vicomte de Valmont to Madame de Tourvel (postmarked Dijon)

Valmont argues that his love is genuine and justified and that Madame de Tourvel is wrong to shun him.
He's postmarked the letter from Dijon (a lie) in hopes that she'd open it and read it (thinking it was from her husband).
He recounts how when he met her, he first just thought she was beautiful.
The he fell in love with her character and virtue and tried to make himself worthy of her.
Only when he couldn't contain his love any longer, did he express it.
And what did he get? Pity? No, contempt and rejection.
She needs to think about his suffering and fix it.

Tourvel wants to take Volanges' advice and get away from Valmont, but she doesn't think she can ask Rosemonde to send him away or leave herself. He'd just follow her.
She thinks her only option is to convince Valmont to leave.
If he refuses, then she'll go.

According to the Marquise, Cécile has neither character nor principles, which will make it easy to influence her to do what she wants. She's very impressionable.
She's amused that Danceny hasn't even gotten a kiss from his secret sweetie.
Adding insult to injury, the Marquise has talked trash about Gercourt to Cécile, convincing his future wife that he's a despicable man.

The Marquise has been telling Cécile how old and gloomy Gercourt is.
The Marquise is sure Cécile could never be happy with him, but that wifely duties are wifely duties.
Only her dislike for the convent keeps Cécile from telling her mother she won't marry Gercourt.
She praises the virtues and friendship of Madame de Merteuil.
Notice that the Marquise has become the new confidant. Sophie's being replaced.
The Marquise seems to have her in her clutches, poor girl

Madame de Tourvel has been pretending to be sick in order to avoid Valmont.
Playing the long game, Valmont says to Tourvel that he'll agree to leave his aunt's home.
Rosemonde, Tourvel, and Valmont plan to go for a ride, but Tourvel backs out at the last minute.
Later, she and Valmont go for a short walk.
She gives him a letter she's written to him, which he is enclosing for the Marquise to read.