His Men?chmus has done him some harm, and was I in too much haste, I should dread a deception; or, perhaps, I have given my word to Danceny for those two days: moreover, your letter informs me you do not jest; when one breaks their word, therefore, you see you must wait.
That is, however, of very little consequence, as you can always be revenged on your rival.
He will not treat your mistress worse than you will his; and after all, is not one woman as good as another?
These are your own principles.
Even she who should be tender and sensible, who existed only for you, who was dying of love and grief, would nevertheless be sacrificed to the first whim, or the dread of being ridiculed for a moment; and yet you would have one constrain themselves!
Ah! that is not reasonable.
Adieu, Viscount! become once more amiable.
It is the utmost of my wishes to find you charming as ever.
When I am certain of it, I engage to prove it to you—indeed, I am too good natured.
Paris, Dec. 4, 17—. _____
LETTER CLIII.
VISCOUNT DE VALMONT to the MARCHIONESS DE MERTEUIL. _____
I reply to your letter on the instant, and will endeavour to be explicit; which is not an easy matter with you, when you have once determined not to understand.
Many words are not necessary to convince us, each has the power of ruining the other; we have an equal interest to keep fair with one another: that is not the business at present.
But between the violent determination of destruction, and doubtless the more eligible one of being still united as hitherto, or of even being more so, by renewing our first attachment; between those two parties, I say, there are a thousand more to be taken.
It was not, then, ridiculous to tell you, neither is it to repeat, that from this day I will either be your lover or your enemy.
I am very sensible the choice will give you some uneasiness; that it would be more convenient for you to shuffle.
I am also satisfied, you never liked to be confined to yes or no: but you must be sensible, I cannot let you from this small circle, without risking being deceived; and you ought to have foreseen, I would not bear it.
You are now to decide.
I may leave you the choice, but will not remain in uncertainty.
I only inform you beforehand, I will not be imposed on by your arguments, good or bad; that I will no longer be seduced by any ornamental wheedling with which you might embellish a refusal; and that the hour of frankness is arrived.
I wish for nothing more than to set you the example; and I declare with pleasure, I prefer peace and union.
If it is necessary to break one or the other, I think I have the right and the means.
Therefore I will add, the least obstacle you make, I shall consider as a declaration of war.
You will observe, the answer I demand does not require either long or studied sentences: two words will be sufficient.
Paris, Dec. 4, 17—.
The answer of the Marchioness de Merteuil, wrote at the bottom of this same letter.
War, then. _____
LETTER CLIV.
MADAME DE VOLANGES to MADAME DE ROSEMONDE. _____
The journal will inform you much better than I can, my dear friend, the melancholy state of our patient.
Totally employed in my attendance on her, I have scarce time to write to you, as there are other matters to be attended to as well as her disorder.
Here is a specimen of one which most certainly I did not in the least expect.
I have received a letter from M. de Valmont, who has been pleased to choose me for a confidant, and even his mediatrix with Madame de Tourvel, to whom he wrote under my cover.
I returned the one when I answered the other.
I transmit you my answer; and I believe you will be of my opinion, that I neither could or ought to have any thing to do with what he requests.
Had I been even inclined to it, our unhappy friend was unable to understand me. Her frenzy is incessant.
But what do you think of M. de Valmont's distraction?
Is it real, or does he mean to deceive the world to the last?[ Nothing having appeared in this correspondence that could resolve this doubt, we chose to suppress Valmont's letter].
If he is sincere this time, he may well say, he has made himself happy.
I believe he will not be well pleased with my answer: but, I own, every thing that fixes my attention on this unhappy adventure, raises my resentment more and more against the author of it.
Adieu, my dear friend! I must return to my melancholy employment, which becomes more so, by the small prospect there is of success.
I need not repeat my sentiments for you.
Paris, Dec. 5, 17—.
LETTER CLV.
The VISCOUNT DE VALMONT to the CHEVALIER DANCENY.
I called on you twice, my dear Chevalier; but since you have thrown off the character of a lover for the man of intrigue, you are very properly invisible: however, your valet assured me you would be at home to-night; that you had ordered him to expect you.
I, who am well acquainted with your designs, immediately conjectured it would be but for a short time for fashion's sake, and that you would immediately pursue your victorious career.
Go on; I must applaud you: but, perhaps, you will be tempted to alter your course for this night.
You are yet acquainted with only half your business; I must let you into the other half, and then you will resolve.