Dangerous Liaisons Page #6

I am as unhappy as you could

ever have wanted me to be.

I have only ever wanted your happiness.

How can I be happy without you?

I must have you, or die.

Death it is.

I'm sorry, Madame.

All I wanted from this meeting

was your forgiveness...

...for the wrongs that you think

that I have done you.

So that I may end my days

in some peace of mind.

I understood you approved of the choice

my duty has compelled me to make.

Yes.

And your choice has determined mine.

Which is what?

The only choice capable of

putting an end to my suffering.

What do you mean?

I love you.

You have no idea how much.

Just remember I have made

far more difficult sacrifices...

...than the one I am about to make. Now...

- ... goodbye.

- No.

You must listen to me!

No!

Why should you be so upset

by the idea of making me happy?

You are right. I cannot live

either unless I make you happy.

So I promise...

...no more refusals...

...and no more regrets.

Success!

Well...

...I arrived at about six.

Yes, I think you may omit

the details of the seduction.

They are never very enlivening.

Just describe the event itself.

It was, unprecedented.

Really?

It had a kind of charm that

I don't think I have experienced before.

Once she'd surrendered,

she behaved with perfect candour.

Total mutual delirium.

Which, for the first time ever with me,

outlasted the pleasure itself.

She was astonishing.

So much so, that I ended by falling on

my knees and pledging her eternal love.

And do you know that at that time...

...and for several hours afterwards

I actually meant it.

I see.

It's extraordinary, isn't it?

Is it?

- It sounds to me perfectly commonplace.

- Oh, no...

...I assure you.

But of course, the best thing about it is...

...I am now in a position

to be able to claim my reward.

You mean to say you persuaded her

to write a letter as well...

...in the course of

this awesome encounter?

I didn't necessarily think you were

going to be a stickler for formalities.

In any case, I may have to declare

our arrangement null and void.

What do you mean?

I am not accustomed

to be taken for granted.

But there is no question of that.

You are misunderstanding me.

And I have no wish to tear you away

from the arms of someone so astonishing.

We have always been

frank with one another.

And as a matter of fact,

I have also taken a new lover...

...who at the moment,

is proving more than satisfactory.

- Who is that?

- I am not in the mood for confidences.

Don't let me keep you.

You can't seriously imagine

I prefer her to you?

You may genuinely be unaware of this.

But I can see quite plainly

that you are in love with this woman.

No.

Not at all.

Have you forgotten what it is like

to make a woman happy?

And to be made happy yourself?

I?

Of course not.

We loved each other once, didn't we?

I think it was love.

And you made me very happy.

And we could again.

We just untied the knot.

It was never broken.

lllusions of course,

are by their nature sweet.

I have no illusions.

I lost them on my travels.

Now...

...I want to come home.

As for this present infatuation,

it won't last...

...but for the moment,

it is beyond my control.

My dear Vicomte, I'm obliged

to go away for a couple of weeks...

... but I am well aware

of our arrangement.

On my return you and I will spend

a single night together.

We shall enjoy it enough

to regret it is to be our last.

But then we shall remember, that regret

is an essential component of happiness.

All this, of course...

... providing you are able

to procure this famous letter.

It shall be done!

But, Paris is so tedious without you.

And I am living like a medieval hermit.

All right, give me a moment.

Drink up.

What is it?

Someone who may well

not appreciate your presence.

- You mean a woman?

- A lady, we might even say.

It is not the one we wrote that letter to?

- The very one.

- I enjoyed that.

You proved a most talented desk.

I'd like to see what she looks like.

- Well, you can't.

- Oh...

On second thoughts,

I don't see why you shouldn't.

Tell me,

do you have plans for this evening?

A few friends round for dinner.

- And after dinner?

- Nothing firm.

Well...

I will be there.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

- I know that woman.

- Are you sure? I would be surprised.

She has been pointed out

to me at the opera.

Yes, well, she is striking.

She is a courtesan, isn't she?

Yes, I suppose, in a manner of speaking.

Well I am sorry to have disturbed you.

Of course you have not disturbed me.

I'm overjoyed to see you.

You will never be received

at my house again.

I don't want your lies and excuses.

Sit down. Just hear me out.

That is all I ask.

Then you can judge.

Unfortunately, I cannot unlive

the years I lived before I met you...

...and during those years

I had a wide acquaintance...

...the majority of whom were no doubt

undesirable in one respect or another.

Now...

...it may surprise you

to know that Emilie...

...in common with many others

of her character and profession...

...is kind-hearted enough

to take an interest...

...in those less fortunate than herself.

In short...

...she has the time and the inclination

to do a great deal of charity work.

Donations to hospitals, soup for the poor...

...protection for animals...

...anything which touches

her sentimental heart.

From time to time, I make a small

contribution to her purse. That's all.

Is that true?

My relations with Emilie...

...have been, for some years now,

quite blameless.

I mean, she has even done a little

secretarial work for me on occasion.

Why did she laugh?

I have no idea.

Does she know about me?

No doubt she made what,

in view of my past...

...must be regarded as a fair assumption.

I want to believe you.

I knew you were coming up.

You were announced.

I am sorry.

But no...

...no, it's I who must apologize.

It was most insensitive of me.

I didn't think it was possible

for me to love you more.

But your jealousy...

I love you so much.

When will you start writing to me again?

My dear Vicomte...

... I don't believe this self-denial

can be good for you.

I hope it does not mean you are

neglecting your little pupil.

But where can Danceny be?

I told you,

I have all my people out looking for him.

There is no trace of him.

It is only the wind.

Where are you?

There is nothing to be frightened about.

Yes, there is.

I am bleeding.

Your porter seems to be

under the impression...

...that you're still out of town.

I have in fact only just returned.

Without attracting the attention

of your porter?

I think it may be time to review

your domestic arrangements.

I am exhausted.

Naturally, I instructed the porter...

...to inform any casual callers

that I was out.

And you here as well...

...my dear, young friend.

The porter appears to be having

a somewhat erratic evening.

Yes.

As a matter of fact,

it is you that I am looking for.

Is it?

Mademoiselle Ccile returns to Paris

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