_From_ Viscount Valmont _to the_ Marchioness de Merteuil.
I have at length, my dear friend, made an advance, and one of such
importance, that though it has not led to the full completion of my
wishes, convinces me I am in the right road, and dispels my dread of
having gone astray. I have at last made my declaration of love; and
although the most obstinate silence was preserved, I have obtained
an answer of the most flattering, unequivocal nature; yet, not to
anticipate matters, but to recur to their origin: you may remember a
spy was appointed over my proceedings; well, I determined this shameful
treatment should be converted into the means of public edification;
and I laid my plan thus: I ordered my confident to look out for some
distressed person in the neighbourhood, who wanted relief. This you
know was not a very difficult discovery. Yesterday evening he informed
me that the effects of a whole family were to be seized on as this
morning, for payment of taxes. I first took care to be certain that
there was neither woman nor girl in the house, whose age or appearance
could raise any suspicion of my intended scheme. When I was satisfied
of this, I mentioned at supper that I intended going a shooting next
day. Here I must do my Presidente justice; she certainly felt some
remorse for the orders she had given; and not being able to overcome
her curiosity, she determined to oppose my design. It would be
exceedingly hot; I should probably injure my health; I should kill
nothing, and fatigue myself in vain; and during this conversation, her
eyes, which spoke a plainer language than she perhaps intended, told
me she wished those simple reasons should pass current. You may guess
I did not assent to them, and even was proof against a smart invective
upon shooting and sportsmen; I held my ground even against a little
cloud of discontent that covered her celestial face during the rest of
the evening. I was at one time afraid she had revoked her orders, and
that her delicacy would mar all. I did not reflect sufficiently on the
strength of woman’s curiosity, and was mistaken; my huntsman cleared up
my doubts however that night, and I went to bed quite satisfied.
At daylight I rose, and set out. I was scarcely fifty yards from the
castle, when I perceived my spy at my heels. I began to beat about,
directing my course across the fields towards the village I had in
view; my amusement on the way was making the fellow scamper; who, not
daring to quit the high road, was often obliged to run over treble the
ground I went. My exertions to give him exercise enough, put me in a
violent heat, and I seated myself at the foot of a tree. And would you
believe it, he had the insolence to slide behind a thicket not twenty
yards from, me, and seat himself also. I once had a great inclination
to send him the contents of my piece, which, though only loaded with
small shot, would have cured his curiosity; but I recollected he was
not only useful, but even necessary to my designs, and that saved him.
On my arrival at the village, all was bustle; I went on, and inquired
what was the matter, which was immediately related to me. I ordered the
collector to be sent for; and, giving way to my generous compassion,
I nobly paid down fifty-six livres, for which five poor creatures
were going to be reduced to straw and misery. On this trifling act,
you can’t conceive the chorus of blessings the bystanders joined in
around me—what grateful tears flowed from the venerable father of
the family, and embellished this patriarchal figure, which a moment
before was hideously disfigured with the wild stamp of despair! While
contemplating this scene, a younger man, leading a woman with two
children, advancing hastily towards me, said to them, “Let us fall
on our knees before this image of God;” and I was instantly surrounded
by the whole family prostrate at my feet.
I must acknowledge my weakness; my eyes were full, and I felt within me
an involuntary but exquisite emotion. I was amazed at the pleasure that
is felt in doing a benevolent act; and I’m inclined to think, those we
call virtuous people, have not so much merit as is ascribed to them.
Be that as it may, I thought it fit to pay those poor people for the
heart-felt satisfaction I had received. I had ten louis-d’ors in my
purse, which I gave them; here acknowledgments were repeated, but not
equally pathetic: the relief of want had produced the grand, the true
effect; the rest was the mere consequence of gratitude and surprise
for a superfluous gift.
In the midst of the unmerited benedictions of this family, I had some
resemblance to the hero of a drama in the _denouement_ of a play.
Remark that the faithful spy was observable in the crowd. My end was
answered: I disengaged myself from them, and returned to the castle.
Every thing considered, I applaud myself for my invention. This woman
is well worth all my solicitude; and it will one day or other prove to
be my title to her: having, as I may say, thus paid for her beforehand,
I shall have a right to dispose of her at my will, without having any
thing to reproach myself with.
I had almost forgot to tell you, that, to make the most of every thing,
I begged the good people to pray for the success of my undertakings.
You shall now see whether their prayers have not already been in some
measure efficacious. But I’m called to supper, and I should be too late
for the post, if I did not now conclude. I am sorry for it, as the
sequel is the best. Adieu, my lovely friend! You rob me a moment of the
pleasure of seeing her.
_Aug._ 20, 17—.