There will also be found in them the proof and example of two important truths, which one would be apt to think unknown, seeing how little they are practised: the one, that every woman who admits a bad man to her society, ends with becoming his victim; the other, that every mother is at least imprudent, that suffers any but herself to gain possession of her daughter's confidence.
In keeping with the somewhat sexist morals of the time, Laclos places a great deal of blame upon the female victims of social predators. He likewise is critical of mothers who fail to prevent disaster by sufficiently controlling their offspring. Note that he does not place any blame for sexual predation on the actual sexual predators: he is writing for, and about, rape apologists and enablers. But, like many people in his era, he preferred to place blame on the victim of a misdeed instead of upon the person who initiated it.
Mamma advises with me in every thing; she behaves to me no longer as a boarder in a convent. I have a chamber-maid to myself; a chamber and a closet of my own, and a very pretty scrutoire, of which I keep the key, and where I can lock up every thing.
Having been recently taken out of the convent where her mother boarded her throughout her adolescence, the fifteen-year-old Sophie believes she is being treated like an adult. Immediately after this passage she describes the various expectations and schedules she must follow, but the schedule allows her hours of private time to herself with nothing to do.
This passage contains a great deal of irony. Although Cécile believes her mother has taken her into her confidence and is sharing all the important information, in reality her mother has not seen fit to inform her that she has been betrothed (promised in marriage).
As soon as you have obtain'd your lovely devotee, and that you can produce your proofs, come, I am yours. But I suppose it unnecessary to inform you that, in important matters, none but written proofs are admitted. By this arrangement I shall, on the one hand, become a reward instead of a consolation, and this idea pleases me most: on the other hand, your success will be more brilliant, by becoming in the same moment the cause of an infidelity.
The Marquise dares her friend and former lover Valmont to seduce Mme. de Tourvel, and to obtain written proof, at which point the Marquise will agree to sleep with him again. Valmont's goal is to seduce an extremely loyal and virtuous wife, to whom he feels attracted. The Marquise's goal is simply to entertain herself. But it is this dare that sets the de Tourvel plot in motion.
I got up for the letter, to read it at my leisure; I took it into bed, and began to kiss it; as if----but may be I did wrong to kiss a letter thus, but I could not help it.
Cécile is infatuated with the Chevalier Danceny, an impoverished young Knight of Malta who is earning a living by giving her music lessons. He is extremely fond of Cécile (and she of him) but their budding romance is being systematically interfered with by nearly everybody around them.
As to the girl, I am often tempted to make her my pupil; it is a piece of service I'm inclined to do Gercourt. He gives me time enough, as he must remain in Corsica until October. I have in contemplation to employ that time effectually, and to give him a well trained wife, instead of an innocent convent pensioner.
Here is another dare for Valmont: seduce the sweet, innocent fifteen-year-old Cécile to embarrass her future husband. The Marquise does not care about what might happen to Cécile or her family; she only wishes to get revenge against a man who she believes wronged her.
I must tell you then--my hand shakes so, I can hardly hold the pen, and I am as red as scarlet; but it is the blush of shame. Well, I will bear it, as the first punishment of my crime. I will relate the whole.
The young girl, having stolen the key to her room and given it to Valmont to help him deliver messages from Danceny, has been betrayed. Instead of helping her see the man she loves, Valmont let himself into her room and forcibly "seduced" her. Cécile, like many victims of sexual predators, blames herself for the incident and believes she alone is responsible for what happened.
