Dangerous Liaisons

Sequence.

Well, my dear...

So how are you adapting

to the world outside?

Very well, I think.

I've advised her to watch and learn

and be quiet except when spoken to.

So we must see what we can devise

for your amusement.

Valmont is here.

You receive him, do you?

Yes.

So do you.

Monsieur le Vicomte de Valmont,

my child...

...whom you very probably

don't remember...

...except that he is

conspicuously charming...

...never opens his mouth without first

calculating what damage he can do.

Then why do you receive him,

maman?

Everyone receives him.

Madame.

What a pleasant surprise.

Madame de Volanges.

How delightful to see you.

You remember my daughter, Ccile?

Well, indeed, but who could have

foretold she would flower so gracefully?

I wanted to call on you

before leaving the city.

Oh...

I'm not sure we can allow that.

Why should you want to leave?

Paris in August, you know...

...and it's time I paid a visit on my aunt.

I've neglected her disgracefully.

Madame de Rosemonde

has been good enough...

...to invite us to stay at the chteau.

Won't you please give her

our warmest regards?

I shall make a point of it, Madame.

I think it's time we took you home.

I'm used to being in bed

by nine at the convent.

So I should hope.

Your aunt?

That's correct.

I thought she'd already made

arrangements to leave you all her money.

Do you know why I summoned you

here this evening?

I'd hoped it might be for

the pleasure of my company.

I need you...

...to carry out an heroic enterprise.

You remember when Bastide left me?

Yes.

And went off with that fat mistress

of yours whose name escapes me.

Yes, yes.

No one has ever done that to me before.

Or to you, I suspect.

I was quite relieved to be rid of her,

frankly.

No, you weren't.

For some years now,

Bastide has been searching for a wife.

He was always unshakably prejudiced

in favour of convent education.

And now he's found the ideal candidate.

Ccile Volanges.

Very good.

And her 60,000 a year.

That must have played some small part

in Bastide's calculations.

None whatsoever.

Bastide's priority, you see...

... is a guaranteed virtue.

I wonder if I'm beginning to guess

what it is you're intending to propose.

Bastide is with his regiment in Corsica

for the rest of the year.

That should give you plenty of time.

You mean to...?

- She's a rosebud.

- You think so?

And he'd get back from his honeymoon...

...to find himself the laughing stock

of Paris.

- Well...

- Yes.

Love and revenge. Two of your favourites.

No, I can't.

What?

Oh really, I can't.

- Why not?

- Oh, it's too easy.

It is.

She's seen nothing.

She knows nothing.

She's bound to be curious.

She'd be on her back...

...before you'd unwrapped

the first bunch of flowers.

Any one of a dozen men could manage it.

I have my reputation to think of.

I can see I'm going to have

to tell you everything.

- Of course you are.

- Yes.

My aunt is not on her own

just at the moment.

She has a young friend staying with her.

Madame de Tourvel.

You can't mean it.

To seduce a woman famous

for strict morals...

...religious fervour and the happiness

of her marriage...

What could possibly be more prestigious?

I think there's something degrading

about having a husband for a rival.

It's humiliating if you fail,

and commonplace if you succeed.

Where is Monsieur de Tourvel anyway?

Presiding over some

endless case in Burgundy.

I don't think you can hope

for any actual pleasure.

Oh, yes.

You see, I have no intention

of breaking down her prejudices.

I want her to believe in God and virtue

and the sanctity of marriage...

...and still not be able to stop herself.

I want the excitement of watching her...

...betray everything that's

most important to her.

Surely you understand that.

I thought "betrayal"

was your favourite word.

No, no...

..."cruelty. "

I always think that has a nobler ring to it.

- How is Belleroche?

- I'm very pleased with him.

And is he your only lover?

Yes.

I think you should take another.

I think it most unhealthy, this exclusivity.

You're not jealous, are you?

Of course I am.

Belleroche is completely undeserving.

I thought he was one

of your closest friends.

Exactly, so I know what I'm talking about.

No,

I think you should organise an infidelity.

With me, for example.

You refuse me a simple favour...

...then you expect to be indulged?

It's only because it is so simple.

It wouldn't feel like a conquest.

I have to follow my destiny.

I have to be true...

...to my profession.

All right then.

Come back when you've succeeded

with Madame de Tourvel.

Yes.

And I will offer you...

...a reward.

My love.

But I shall require proof.

Certainly.

Written proof.

Not negotiable.

I don't suppose there's

any possibility of an advance?

Goodnight, Vicomte.

Where have you been?

Time has no logic when I'm not with you.

An hour is like a century.

I've told you before,

we shall get on a great deal better...

...if you make a concerted effort

not to sound like the latest novel.

It's such a beautiful day,

I believe we'll walk.

You didn't take the sacrament today.

No.

May I ask why?

I have this appalling reputation,

as you may know.

Yes, I have been warned about you.

You have? By whom?

A friend.

The fact is I've spent my life

surrounded by immoral people.

I've allowed myself

to be influenced by them...

...and sometimes even taken pride

in outshining them.

- And now?

- Now...

...what I most often feel is unworthiness.

But it is precisely at such moments

that you start to become worthy.

I certainly believe one should

constantly strive to improve oneself.

Chevalier...

...I don't believe you know my cousin,

Madame de Volanges.

This is Chevalier Danceny.

And Madame's daughter, Ccile.

Tell us what we should think of the opera.

It's sublime, don't you find?

Monsieur Danceny is one

of those rare eccentrics...

...who come here to listen to the music.

I do look forward to our next meeting.

Charming young man...

...penniless, regrettably.

He's one of the finest

music teachers in the city.

Perhaps you should employ him.

How are you getting on

with Madame de Tourvel's maid?

Julie, to tell you the truth, sir,

it's been a bit boring.

If I wasn't so anxious to keep

Your Lordship abreast...

...I think I'd have only bothered the once.

Still, what else is there to do

in the country?

It wasn't so much the details

of your intimacy I was after...

...it's whether or not she's agreed

to bring me Madame de Tourvel's letters.

- She won't steal the letters, sir.

- She won't?

You know better than me, sir.

It's easy enough making them do

what they want to do.

It's trying to get them to do

what you want them to do...

...that gives you a headache.

And them, as often as not.

I need to know who's

writing to her about me.

I shouldn't worry if I was you, sir.

She told Julie she didn't believe

you went hunting in the mornings.

She said she was going

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