Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Part 3, Letters 121-124 Summary

Letter 121: Marquise de Merteuil to the Chevalier Danceny

Chiding Danceny for his flattery, Merteuil tells him he shall have no more letters from her if he continues with such writing.
She says it's wrong to write this way unless it's an expression of love.
She compares his writing to style to what you'd find in a romance novel.
She wants him to be honest about what he's thinking and feeling.
On one hand, she's encouraging him and Cécile. On the other, she's using a lot of flattery herself.

Rosemonde sees that Valmont has become sad and downcast. He's sitting around in his room, half-dressed, writing letters.
She's glad Tourvel didn't see this; she would have given in to him out of pity.
His few words imply that he feels terribly guilty about something—or many things.
He asks her for her forgiveness and speaks vaguely of returning to Paris on the most important concern of his life.
It sounds a lot like he's planning to kill himself.
This is all done for show, of course.

Madame de Tourvel agrees to the meeting on the condition that it's the last.
Father Anselme asks Valmont not to delay, because God's mercy can turn to vengeance.
He offers his services if they are wanted and hopes that religion can give Valmont the peace he seeks.

Madame de Tourvel believes that Valmont wants only to make amends and return her letters.
She expects to hear that he's free of his passion for her.
She wonders why she's been put through all this torment if God intended him to repent, and she blames her own weakness.
She's pleased that she played a part in his conversion.
Once the business with Valmont is concluded, she would like to return to Madame de Rosemonde's home for consolation.