Les liaisons dangereuses Page #4

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I want her to give herself to me willingly.

- The same result.

- No.

Let me see her defend herself...

and slowly lose ground.

And become like any other woman.

Pray for her that she won't give in.

Are you jealous?

Just calculating.

We're people of honor, Valmont.

We don't allow untruths,

so destructive for other couples.

I didn't lie to you.

You love that woman.

Like a kid, a man, you name it.

It's an accident. You'll shake it off.

Be honest with yourself and with me.

You love her.

There's only one woman

whom I love and respect.

My confidant...

and accomplice...

you.

Prove it then.

Tell me how.

Don't lose more time. Seduce her.

Then drop her in your usual manner...

without emotion.

How much time do I have?

Before I come back from New York,

I want a complete report.

You'll have it. I adore you.

Cecile, it's me Valmont.

Don't bother me.

What's the matter with everybody?

A nightmare?

Where am I?

Oh, my God...

- All right, I'm going.

- Where?

To wake up Marianne.

Duty first.

I've just seen her leave.

Escape, you mean?

- That'll cost her dearly.

- Cecile will comfort you.

- She locked the door.

- You didn't wake her up?

- She didn't let me in.

- That little vixen.

- Twinges of conscience.

- Wise after the event.

Young people have no morals.

I'll teach her a lesson.

- Who's there?

- Juliette.

Come in.

You're angry with Valmont.

- What happened?

- Nothing.

Last night meant nothing.

You know?

Everything.

I swear it wasn't my fault.

He was pressing me.

You should have defended yourself.

Easy to say.

I have no experience.

Other men aren't like Valmont.

Are you very angry?

- Do I look angry?

- No.

Tell me...

was it really so unpleasant?

I don't love him. I love Danceny.

But you acted like you loved him.

I'm ashamed. I cried.

In love, you're only ashamed once.

It's for Danceny.

Instead of becoming wiser, you're sillier.

Go ahead and cry.

I feel that I love you as well.

It's awful to love so many people.

We're all like that. You'll get used to it.

But men despise easy women.

If Court found out...

he wouldn't marry you.

I don't care.

Danceny wouldn't either.

I wanted to do it with Danceny.

But he respects me.

How complicated.

Why do we need men at all?

We can't help it, I'm afraid.

Face the truth squarely.

You can love Danceny with your heart...

and Valmont...

like the other night.

Danceny will continue respecting you...

and everyone will be happy.

When you say that, it seems easy.

But you made a mistake.

To make love to a man

and then shut the door in his face?

It's bad manners, and dangerous.

He may get furious and tell everyone.

You think so?

The man takes the lead, the woman follows.

- Think of your reputation.

- Yes.

Have fun and be good.

Call me tomorrow.

Relax. Concentrate on your mission.

I spoke with Cecile.

She'll be as docile as befits her age.

You're the best.

- Good luck in New York. Come back!

- In 10 days or so.

That wasn't part of your plan.

- Why don't you run after her?

- Lf she's fleeing, that proves she loves me.

In Paris she'll collect herself.

Just the opposite.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

We'll see.

Meanwhile, dear cousin,

would you care for a game of bridge?

I have many ways of amusing myself.

No, Valmont, you're mistaken.

I'm sorry. Marianne isn't here.

But I've called six times already.

I'm sure you're not telling me the truth.

What's going on?

What did I do to deserve this?

All right, I'll be frank.

You're intelligent and

sensitive enough to comprehend.

Marianne is married.

Her husband is still away.

Your company could compromise her.

So she won't see you anymore.

And she's correct.

Please do not insist.

Don't write to her either.

- Please, help me solve this.

- I have my own problems.

Are you good at geometry?

I don't understand it at all.

What is it?

How do I find the slope?

Let me see. It's easy.

You cut your line by a vertical. Pen, please.

What is the shortest distance

between two points?

A straight line.

What a fool I've been.

The shortest distance is by train!

I'll go straight to her.

"I defeated her.

"That astounding woman

who thought she'd resist me.

"She's mine.

"All mine.

"She gave me everything.

"Let me tell you how I did it.

"I knew exactly when she'd be home alone.

"I rang the bell...

"and she opened the door."

No need to kick me out.

I've just come to say good-bye.

I'm leaving Paris for five years.

I asked for a post 7,000 miles from here...

I'm being sent to the island of Reunion.

That's crazy.

You're out of your mind.

To live in the same city as you...

to breathe the same air,

walk the same streets...

to know that you are...

so close...

and not to be able to see you again...

That was too much to bear.

I had to do something...

Anything.

To abandon your job and wife?

That doesn't matter anymore.

You may still change your mind.

No. I'm leaving this month.

But let me clear my name first.

I'm leaving France...

because I have no hope

you'll ever forgive me for hurting you.

"I wasn't wasting time.

"As I talked, I surveyed the lay of the land.

"I picked a red sofa.

"There was another one, more comfortable,

but facing her husband's picture...

"so I decided against it."

I don't want your life ruined.

What life?

Emptiness.

Disgust.

You made me realize that.

Take a hold of yourself, start over...

Not without you.

Only you'd give me the courage.

I'm thoroughly unhappy, Marianne.

"At this point, I was hoping to impress her

with my tears.

"But whether I was too tired

or too focused on my speech...

"I couldn't bring myself to cry.

"Fortunately, I remembered

your confessions and teachings.

"'Men, ' you would say...

"'are seldom equal to the emotions

they inspire in women.

"'Women feel very sublime

when they're about to surrender.

"'But men, for fear of ridicule...

"'don't dare to speak up. '

"I went for pathos.

"To stand up to virtue

you must suppress your own self. "

I'm like a child, Marianne.

I don't know how to live.

It's impossible without you.

Don't say so.

It's cruel.

"For my attack, I chose the theme

'to have you or to die. '

"Women imagine that their repudiated

suitors would throw themselves...

"under a train for them.

"On the other hand, men who talk

about suicide hardly ever commit it.

"I chose to merely hint at my intention.

"She figured it would be

a more serious crime to let me go...

"than to give way to our passion.

"Yet she realized she was sacrificing...

"the trust and respect of

her husband, family and friends.

"Her decent and happy existence.

"Her faith in God.

"And perhaps her child as well."

I've already said too much.

I wish you happiness, Marianne.

Always.

It's all that matters to me.

"I decided to take chances.

"I gently bade her farewell...

"but took advantage of her nervousness

to kiss her hands. "

Good-bye, Marianne.

I should let you leave, but I can't.

I can't.

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