Dangerous Liaisons Page #2

to have you followed.

So I'd say it was only a matter of time.

That is a terrible noise he's making.

He should get the news back

to her twice as quickly.

I don't think we should make it

too easy for him.

What exactly do you think you're doing?

I am impounding these effects, sir.

Has it not been explained to you?

Monsieur Armand is not well.

I don't make the laws, sir.

I just do what I'm told.

Everybody has to pay his taxes.

How much does he owe?

How much?

Fifty-six

livres.

- Pay him.

- Yes, my lord.

Monsieur Armand...

Excuse me, you don't know me.

Of course I do, Monsieur le Vicomte.

Please, don't get up.

- I have to. They're taking the bed.

- No, not at all.

No one's taking anything.

Just to tide you over. I insist.

Me, sir...

Fifty-six livres to save

an entire family from ruin.

That seems a genuine bargain.

These days, my lord,

you can find half a dozen like that...

...in any village in the country.

Really?

I must say the family was

very well chosen.

Solidly respectable...

...gratifyingly tearful,

no suspiciously pretty girls. Well done.

I do my best for you, sir.

And all that humble gratitude.

It was most affecting.

Certainly brought a tear to my eye.

That's from her husband.

This must be from

that officious friend of hers.

Tell me, where do you and Julie meet?

In my room, sir.

- And is she coming tonight?

- Afraid so.

I think I may be forced to burst in on you.

See if blackmail will succeed

any better than bribery.

About two o'clock suit you?

I don't want to embarrass you.

Will that give you enough time?

Ample, sir.

Is this true about Monsieur Armand?

I don't believe I know anyone

of that name.

You may as well own up, Monsieur.

My footman happened to be passing...

...when you were in the village

this morning.

I don't think you should pay too much

attention to servants' gossip.

It is true, isn't it?

Well...

...yes.

It is.

You dear boy,

come and let me give you a hug.

I can't understand how someone

whose instincts are so generous...

...could lead such a dissolute life.

I'm afraid you have an exaggerated idea...

...both of my generosity

and of my depravity.

If I knew who'd given you

such a dire account of me...

Since I don't...

...let me make a confession.

I'm afraid the key to the paradox lies

in a certain weakness of character.

I can't see how so thoughtful an act

of charity could be described as weak.

Because it was simply a response...

...to a strong new influence in my life.

Yours.

You see how weak I am?

I promised myself

I was never going to tell you.

It's just that looking at you...

You needn't worry...

...I have no illicit intentions.

I would not dream of insulting you.

But I do love you.

I adore you.

Please, help me.

- I rang a number of times.

- Didn't hear, sir.

- I require some hot water.

- Right away, sir.

Don't move.

- Azolan...

- Sir?

Wait for me in my room.

You know I can't condone

this sort of behaviour, Julie.

I know, sir.

- But, you may rely on my discretion.

- Thank you, sir.

Providing, of course,

that you agree to my price.

No. Nothing like that.

No, all I want is to get

to see every letter...

...that Madame de Tourvel

has received since her arrival here...

...and every letter that she writes

from now on.

But sir, I can't-

Deliver them to Azolan

by midnight tomorrow.

For your trouble.

Would it be very wrong of me

to answer Monsieur Danceny's letters?

- In the circumstances, yes.

- In what circumstances?

It's not my place to

tell you this, my dear...

...if I hadn't become so fond of you...

Go on, please.

Your marriage has been arranged.

- Who is it?

- Oh, someone I know slightly.

Monsieur le Comte de Bastide.

- What's he like?

- Well...

You don't like him?

Oh, it's not that. He's a man

of somewhat erratic judgement.

- And rather serious.

- How old is he?

- Thirty-six.

- Thirty-six! He's an old man.

Do you know when?

In the new year, I believe.

Maybe there's a way to let you

write to Monsieur Danceny.

Oh, Madame.

If you were to let me see both sides

of the correspondence...

...I could reassure myself.

But I can't show the letters

I've already sent him.

I trust you slept well, Madame.

I wish I could say that I had.

I thought the least I could hope for

was that you would respect me.

But I do, of course I do!

You've offended me deeply.

It's unforgivable.

This confirms everything

I've been told about you.

I'm beginning to think you may

have planned the whole exercise.

I had no idea you were staying here.

Not that it would have disturbed me

in the slightest if I had known.

You see, until I met you,

I had only ever experienced desire.

Love, never.

- That's enough.

- No, no...

...you've made an accusation.

You must allow me the opportunity

to defend myself.

I'm not going to deny

that I was aware of your beauty...

...but the point is,

this has nothing to do with your beauty.

As I got to know you, I began to realise...

...that beauty was the least

of your qualities.

I became fascinated by your goodness.

I was drawn in by it.

I didn't understand

what was happening to me.

It was only when I began to feel

actual physical pain...

...every time you left the room...

...that it finally dawned on me.

I was in love.

...but that didn't matter to me.

It's not that I want to have you,

all I want is to deserve you.

Tell me what to do.

Show me how to behave.

I'll do anything you say.

Very well, then.

I would like you to leave this house.

I don't see why that should be necessary.

Let's just say you've spent

your whole life making it necessary.

And if you refuse,

I shall be forced to leave myself.

Well then, of course, whatever you say.

Thank you.

Perhaps I might be so bold

as to ask a favour in return?

I think it would only be

just to let me know...

...which of your friends

has blackened my name.

If friends of mine have warned me

against you...

...I could hardly reward them

with betrayal.

I must say,

you devalue your generous offer...

...if you want to use it

as a bargaining point.

Very well, I withdraw the request.

I hope you won't think I'm bargaining

if I ask you to let me write to you.

- Well-

- And pray that you will do me...

...the kindness of answering my letters.

I'm not sure a correspondence with you...

...is something a woman of honour

could permit herself.

You're determined to refuse

my suggestions, however respectable.

- I didn't say that.

- And you'd rather be unjust...

...than risk showing me

a touch of kindness?

I would welcome the chance

to prove to you...

...that what lies behind this

is not hatred or resentment but-

But what?

Listen to this:

"He knows exactly how far

he may venture without risk...

"... and guarantees his own security...

"... by tormenting only the safest kind

of victim:
women. "

Madame de Volanges...

- Goodbye, Aunt.

- Goodbye, dear boy.

- Monsieur, please...

- I'll write soon.

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