The VISCOUNT DE VALMONT to the MARCHIONESS DE MERTEUIL. _____
My inhuman mistress not content with declining an answer to my letters, and even refusing to receive them, she endeavours to deprive me of the pleasure of seeing her, and insists I should quit this place.
What will surprise you more is, that I have acquiesced in every thing.
You will, no doubt, blame me.
Yet I thought I should not let slip the opportunity of receiving her commands; being, on the one hand, convinced, that whosoever commands is responsible, and on the other, that the imaginary air of authority we give the women, is the most difficult snare for them to escape: besides, the precautions she has taken not to be with me alone, put me in a very dangerous situation, which I thought it prudent to be extricated from at all events: for being incessantly with her, without being able to direct her attention to the subject of love, it was the more to be dreaded she would become accustomed to see me with indifference—a disposition of mind which you very well know is seldom overcome.
You may judge I did not acquiesce without making conditions.
I even took care to stipulate for one impossible to be performed; not only that I may be at liberty to keep or break my word, but engage in a discussion, either verbally or in writing, whenever my fair one might be more satisfied with me, or feel the necessity of relaxing.
I should have ill managed indeed, if I did not obtain an equivalent for giving up my pretensions, though they are not of a justifiable nature.
Having laid before you my reasons in this long exordium, I begin the history of the two last days.
I shall annex, as proofs, my fair one's letter with my answer.
You will agree with me few historians are more exact than I am.
You may recollect the effect my letter from Dijon had the day before yesterday.
The remainder of that day was rather tempestuous.
The pretty prude did not make her appearance until dinner was on the table, and informed us she had got a bad head-ach; a pretence for concealing the most violent ill humour that ever possessed woman.
Her countenance was totally altered; the enchanting softness of her tone was changed to a moroseness that added new beauty to her.
I shall make a good use of this discovery in future; and convert the tender mistress into the passionate one.
I foresaw the evening would be dull; to avoid which, I pretended to have letters to write, and retired to my apartment.
I returned about six to the Saloon; Madame de Rosemonde proposed an airing, which was agreed to.
But the instant the carriage was ready, the pretended sick lady, by an act of infernal malice, pretended, in her turn, or, perhaps to be revenged of me for my absence, feigned her head-ach much worse, and forced me to undergo a tete-a-tete with my old aunt.
I don't know whether my imprecations against this female demon had their effect; but she was in bed at our return.
Next morning, at breakfast, she was no more the same woman: her natural sweetness had returned, and I had reason to think my pardon sealed.
Breakfast being over, the lovely woman arose with an easy air, and walked towards the park; I soon followed her, as you may imagine.
"Whence arises this inclination for a walk?" said I, accosting her.
"I have wrote a great deal this morning," she replied, "and my head is a little fatigued."—"I am not so happy," replied I, "as to have to reproach myself with being the cause of that fatigue."—"I have wrote you," said she, "but I hesitate to deliver my letter:—it contains a request, and I fear I must not flatter myself with success."—"I swear if it be possible."—"Nothing more easy," replied she; "and though perhaps you ought to grant it from a motive of justice, I will consent even to obtaining it as a favour."
She then delivered me her letter, which I took, as also her hand, which she drew back, without anger, and more confusion than vivacity.
"The heat is more intense than I imagined," said she;
"I must return."
In vain did I strive to persuade her to continue our walk;—she returned to the Castle;—and were it not for the dread of being seen, I would have used other means as well as my eloquence.
She returned without uttering a syllable; and I plainly saw this pretended walk had no other object than to deliver me her letter.
She retired to her apartment, and I to mine, to read her epistle.
I beg you will read that, and my answer, before you go farther.
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LETTER XLI.
The Presidente DE TOURVEL to VISCOUNT VALMONT. _____
Your behaviour towards me, Sir, has the appearance of your seeking opportunities to give me more reason to complain of your conduct than I hitherto have had.
Your obstinacy in teasing me incessantly with a subject that I neither will or ought to attend to; the ill use you have made of my candour, or timidity, to convey your letters to me; but, above all, the indelicate manner you imagined to hand me the last, without having paid the least attention to the consequences of a surprise which might have exposed me, would authorise me to reproach you in terms as severe as merited. But I am inclined, instead of renewing my complaint, to bury all in oblivion, provided you agree to a request as simple as it is just.
You yourself have told me, Sir, I ought not to apprehend a denial; although, from an inconsistency which is peculiar to you, this phrase was even followed by the only refusal you had in your power to give, I am still disposed to think you will, on this occasion, keep a promise you so formally and so lately made.
I require, therefore, you would retire from hence, and leave me, as your residence here any longer will expose me to the censure of the public, which is ever ready to paint things in the worst colours, and a public whom you have long habituated to watching such women as have admitted you into their society.
Though my friends have for some time given me notice of this danger, I did not pay proper attention to it; I even combated their advice whilst your behaviour to me gave me reason to think you did not confound me with the crowd of women who have reason to lament their acquaintance with you.
Now that you treat me in the same manner, and that I can no longer mistake, it is a duty I owe to the public, my friends, and myself, to take the necessary resolution.
I might also add, that a denial would avail little, as I am determined, in case of a refusal, to leave this place immediately.
I do not seek to lessen the obligation your complaisance will lay me under; and will not conceal from you, that if you lay me under the necessity of leaving this, you will put me to inconvenience.
Convince me then, Sir, as you have often told me, that a woman of virtue will never have reason to complain of you: show me, at least, that if you have ill treated such a woman, you are disposed to atone for the injury you have done her.
Did I think my request required any justification in your sight, it would be enough, I think, to tell you the whole conduct of your life makes it necessary; it is not my fault a reformation has not taken place.
But I will not recall events that I wish to forget, and which would lead me to pass a severe sentence on you at the time I am offering you an opportunity of deserving my utmost gratitude.
Farewell, Sir. Your determination will tell me in what light I am to behold you for life. Your most humble, &c.
Aug. 25, 17—. _____
LETTER XLII.
VISCOUNT DE VALMONT to the Presidente DE TOURVEL. _____
Though the conditions you impose on me, Madam, are severe indeed, I shall not refuse to comply; for I perceive it is impossible for me to oppose any of your wishes.