Viscount de Valmont _to the_ Marchioness de Merteuil.
I saw Danceny, and only obtained a half-confidence from him; he is
tenacious in concealing the name of the little Volanges, and spoke of
her as of a very discreet person, and something inclined to devotion.
As to the rest, he related his adventure with tolerable propriety,
especially the last event. I heated his imagination as much as I could,
and ridiculed his scrupulous delicacy; but he is still the same, and I
cannot depend upon him: I shall be able to tell you more of him after
to-morrow. We go to-morrow to Versailles, and shall endeavour to dive
into him by the way.
The interview that was to take place to-day gives me some hopes:
perhaps every thing succeeded to our wishes; and perhaps nothing now
remains but to extract the confession, and gather the proofs. This
business will be easier for you to perform than me, for the little
thing is more open, or, which is the same thing, more silly then her
discreet lover; notwithstanding, I’ll do my best.
Adieu, my lovely friend! I have a great deal of employment on my hands.
I will neither see you this night nor to-morrow: but if you come to
the knowledge of any thing, let me have a line at my return. I shall
certainly sleep in Paris.
_Sept._ 3, 17—.