_The_ Presidente de Tourvel _to_ Viscount Valmont.
Your behaviour towards me, Sir, has the appearance of your seeking
opportunities to give me more reason to complain of your conduct than
I hitherto have had. Your obstinacy in teasing me incessantly with a
subject that I neither will or ought to attend to; the ill use you
have made of my candour, or timidity, to convey your letters to me;
but, above all, the indelicate manner you imagined to hand me the
last, without having paid the least attention to the consequences of a
surprise which might have exposed me, would authorise me to reproach
you in terms as severe as merited. But I am inclined, instead of
renewing my complaint, to bury all in oblivion, provided you agree to a
request as simple as it is just.
You yourself have told me, Sir, I ought not to apprehend a denial;
although, from an inconsistency which is peculiar to you, this phrase
was even followed by the only refusal you had in your power to give,[1]
I am still disposed to think you will, on this occasion, keep a promise
you so formally and so lately made.
I require, therefore, you would retire from hence, and leave me, as
your residence here any longer will expose me to the censure of the
public, which is ever ready to paint things in the worst colours, and
a public whom you have long habituated to watching such women as have
admitted you into their society.
Though my friends have for some time given me notice of this danger, I
did not pay proper attention to it; I even combated their advice whilst
your behaviour to me gave me reason to think you did not confound me
with the crowd of women who have reason to lament their acquaintance
with you. Now that you treat me in the same manner, and that I can
no longer mistake, it is a duty I owe to the public, my friends, and
myself, to take the necessary resolution. I might also add, that a
denial would avail little, as I am determined, in case of a refusal, to
leave this place immediately.
I do not seek to lessen the obligation your complaisance will lay me
under; and will not conceal from you, that if you lay me under the
necessity of leaving this, you will put me to inconvenience. Convince
me then, Sir, as you have often told me, that a woman of virtue will
never have reason to complain of you: show me, at least, that if you
have ill treated such a woman, you are disposed to atone for the injury
you have done her.
Did I think my request required any justification in your sight, it
would be enough, I think, to tell you the whole conduct of your life
makes it necessary; it is not my fault a reformation has not taken
place. But I will not recall events that I wish to forget, and which
would lead me to pass a severe sentence on you at the time I am
offering you an opportunity of deserving my utmost gratitude. Farewell,
Sir. Your determination will tell me in what light I am to behold you
for life.
Your most humble, &c.
_Aug._ 25, 17—.
[1] See Letter the 35th.