Dangerous Liaisons Page #4

Quick, your mother.

What are you doing?

I just came in to fetch your shawl.

Why are you so angry with me?

All I can offer you is my friendship.

Can't you accept it?

I could pretend to,

but that would be dishonest.

The man I used to be would have been

content with friendship...

...and then set about trying

to turn it to his advantage.

But I have changed now.

I can't conceal from you that

I love you tenderly, passionately...

...and above all, respectfully.

So how am I to demote myself

to the tepid position of friend?

Not that you are even

pretending to show friendship.

- What do you mean?

- Well, is this friendly?

Why must you deliberately

destroy my peace of mind?

You were wrong to feel threatened by me,

Madame.

Your happiness is far more

important to me than my own.

That is what I mean

when I say that I love you.

I think we should end this conversation.

I shall leave you in

possession of the field.

But look...

We are to be living under the same roof,

at least for a few days.

Surely we don't have to try

to avoid each other?

Of course not.

Provided you adhere

to my few simple rules.

I shall obey you in this as in everything.

Monsieur...

What?

Nothing.

Nothing to worry about.

Have you brought a letter?

No.

Then what...?

What are you going to tell your mother?

How will you explain the fact

that I have your key?

If I tell her I'm here at your invitation...

...I have a feeling she will believe me.

What do you want?

Well, I don't know...

What do you think?

No!

All right.

I just want you to give me a kiss.

- A kiss?

- That's all.

- Then will you go?

- Then I'll go.

- Promise?

- Whatever you say.

All right?

Very nice.

No, I mean, will you go now?

Oh, I don't think so.

But you promised.

I promised to go when you gave me a kiss.

You didn't give me a kiss.

I gave you a kiss.

Not the same thing at all.

And if I give you a kiss...?

Let's just get ourselves more comfortable,

shall we?

I had better go and see what's wrong,

if you will excuse me.

Of course, my dear.

I shouldn't worry, Madame.

The young have such miraculous

powers of recuperation.

I'm sure she will soon

be back in the saddle.

Who else can I turn to in

my desperation, Madame?

And how can I write

the necessary words?

There's something going on,

and Ccile will not tell me.

You must speak to her at once.

Tell me...

...you resisted him, did you?

Of course I did...

...as much as I could.

- But he forced you?

- No...

...not exactly.

But I found it almost

impossible to defend myself.

Why was that? Did he tie you up?

No, he just has a way of putting things.

You can't think of an answer.

Not even "no"?

I kept on saying no all the time.

But somehow,

that was not what I was doing.

I am so ashamed.

You'll find the shame is like the pain.

You only feel it once.

You really want my advice?

Please.

Allow Monsieur de Valmont...

...to continue your instruction.

Convince your mother

you've forgotten Danceny.

And raise no objection to the marriage.

With Monsieur de Bastide?

When it comes to marriage,

one man is as good as the next.

And even the least accommodating

is less trouble than a mother.

Are you saying, I'm going to have to do...

...that, with three different men?

I am saying, you stupid little girl...

...that provided you take

a few elementary precautions...

...you can do it, or not...

...with as many men as you like...

...as often as you like...

...in as many different ways as you like.

Our sex has few enough advantages,

so make the best of those you have.

Now, here comes your

maman...

...so remember what I've said,

and above all, no snivelling.

How are you feeling now, my dear?

Much better, thank you,

maman.

I think you look tired.

I think you should go to bed.

No, I-

I think you should do

as your mother suggests.

We can arrange to have

something brought to your room.

I'm sure it will do you good.

Well, perhaps you are right, Madame.

You have such a very good

influence on her.

I don't think I have congratulated you

on your revenge.

- So, you know.

- Oh, yes.

And I believe from now

you will find her door unbolted.

Where is she?

I can't see her at the moment.

Surely I have explained to you before

how much I enjoy watching the battle...

...between love and virtue.

What concerns me is that

you seem to enjoy watching it...

...much more than you used

to enjoy winning it.

All in good time.

The century is drawing to its close.

Isn't it a pity that our agreement...

...does not relate to the task you set me...

...rather than the task I set myself?

I am grateful, of course.

But that would have been

almost insultingly simple.

One does not applaud the tenor

for clearing his throat.

As with every other science,

the first thing you must learn...

...is to call everything by its proper name.

I don't see why we have to talk at all.

Without the correct polite vocabulary...

...how would you indicate

what you would like me to do...

...or make an offer of something

I might find agreeable.

Surely you just-

You see, if I do my work adequately...

...I would like to think that

you will be able to...

...surprise Monsieur de Bastide

on his wedding night.

- Would he be pleased?

- Of course.

He'll merely assume your maman

has done her duty and fully briefed you.

Maman couldn't possibly

talk of anything of that sort.

I can't think why.

She was, after all, one of the most

notorious young women in Paris.

- Maman?

- Certainly.

More noted for her enthusiasm

than her ability...

...if I remember rightly.

There was a famous occasion

before you were born...

This would have been...

...when your mother went to stay

with the Comtesse de Beaulieu...

...who tactfully gave her a room

between your father's...

...and that of a Monsieur de Vressac...

...who was her acknowledged

lover at the time.

Yet,

in spite of these careful arrangements...

...she contrived to spend

the night with a third party.

I can't believe that.

No, no, I assure you, it's true.

How do you know?

The third party was myself.

You asked me if Monsieur de Bastide

would be pleased with your abilities.

And the answer is...

...education is never a waste.

Now...

...I think we might begin...

...with one or two Latin terms.

We go for a walk together

almost every day.

A little further every

time down the path...

... that has no turning.

She has accepted my love...

... I have accepted her friendship.

We are both aware of how little

there is to choose between them.

I wish you knew me well enough

to recognize...

...how much you have changed me.

My friends in Paris remarked on it at once.

I have become the soul of consideration...

...conscientious, charitable...

...more celibate than a monk.

More celibate?

Well,

you know the stories one hears in Paris.

I feel she is inches from surrender.

Her eyes are closing.

Madame.

Where are you going, Monsieur?

- To the salon.

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