How we cite our quotes: (Part.Letter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Monsieur Valmont […] produced, in confirmation of what he said, a mass of letters constituting a regular correspondence he had maintained with Madame de Merteuil, in which she tells the most scandalous anecdotes against herself in the most abandoned style. (4.168.)
Valmont gets the last laugh; he knows these letters will ruin the Marquise forever. Even if the earnest Madame de Volanges has trouble believing what's in the letters, Valmont knows that fashionable society will eagerly bring down the Marquise. Of course, the letters implicate Valmont as well in horrible schemes, but he's already been the object of deadly revenge.
Quote #11
After all, if you agree that revenge is permissible – or more, that it is a duty – when one has been betrayed in love, friendship, or, above all, in one's confidences; if you agree, my culpability in your eyes is going to disappear. (4.169.5)
Danceny, too, values revenge as a moral responsibility when you're seriously wronged. It restores your honor. Some of the women in the books disapprove of this antiquated way of avenging your reputation.