Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) Part 4, Letters 146-150 Summary

Letter 146: Marquise de Merteuil to the Chevalier Danceny

The Marquise tells Danceny she'll be in Paris tomorrow evening.
Notice that this letter was written the same day she told Valmont she didn't know when she'd be in Paris.
She invites Danceny to her place. But she's very coy about it. She says maybe he'd rather spend time with Cécile; after all, she's just his confidante.
But anyway, will he please come?

Madame de Tourvel has fallen seriously ill and become delirious.
She's returned to the convent where she stayed as a girl, insisting on staying in the same room until she dies.
She doesn't understand, as a married woman, she needs permission to stay at the convent.
The nuns let her stay the night anyway.
She remains quiet or paces the room, sometimes falling into the arms of Julie.
The prioress sends for Madame de Volanges.
Madame de Tourvel refuses any treatments they offer her. It took four people to hold her down to bleed her. (Bleeding being just about the only treatment available in those days.)
Madame de Tourvel tells Madame de Volanges that she's dying because she didn't listen to her.

Danceny is over the moon to learn that there are feelings of love between Madame de Merteuil and himself.
He falls all over himself flattering her and confessing his total intoxication with her.
He'll see her this evening and hopes she'll be alone.

Madame de Tourvel awakens and recognizes Madame de Volanges but she doesn't remember having come to the convent.
She eats and enjoys some soup.
Suddenly her memory and misery returns.
She explains her shame and anguish to Madame de Volanges.
Believing herself unequal to the task, Madame de Volanges suggests she call for the priest, Father Anselme.
He visits with her.
Afterwards, he says the Last Sacraments can be deferred because she's doing a little better.
He says he'll return tomorrow.
Tourvel gets agitated when a letter is sent to her and refuses to read it.
Later, she asks to see the letter recognizes that it's from Valmont, and frantically insists they take it back.
She was delirious and convulsing the rest of the night.
Madame de Volanges is furious with Valmont.

In his weepy style, Danceny explains why the two of them should write to one another when they cannot see each other in person.
He doesn't understand why the Marquise has decided that writing to each other would be dangerous.