Top Tips To Create A Persuasive Sales Letter

 

 Dangerous Liaisons

 It was a longstanding principle of European courtship that two people should not meet unless their backgrounds and addresses were known to each other, as well as their standing in society. Anyone who let such information slip faced censure from the older generation, and potential embarrassment from the young. One way for a man to probe an unmarried woman’s suitability for marriage was through reciprocal visits with friends or relatives.

The writers of 18th-century letters often dealt with issues of grammar and style. Amongst the many topics this article will cover are how to address someone, what voice to use in writing, showing vs telling, vocabulary choice etcetera.

The letter's subject is the relationship between the characters Madame de Merteuil and her enigmatic protegee, Cécile, after she fails to get Monsieur de Valmont to propose to her.

Monsieur de Valmont complains about his relationship with Madame de Merteuil: he has been treating Cécile as a slave, getting her to write his letters for him and do his correspondence for him. His letters are so long that he tells Madame de Merteuil that if he delays any longer in writing them, she will be better off without him.

Madame de Merteuil writes to her friend, the Chevalier Danceny; she complains about Valmont's treatment of Cécile. She suggests that if he likes her, he should ask for her hand in marriage. Madame de Merteuil then meets Valmont and tells him that she has written to a friend about his behaviour towards Cécile and his other mistresses. She tells him that she knows what he is capable of but is not always willing to help him. She tells him that if he were truly interested in Cécile, then it would be easy for Danceny to become a suitor for her hand. Madame de Merteuil then reveals that she is interested in Danceny and that he is writing the letters Valmont received. She explains why she wishes to meet him. She says she wishes to remain friends but could never be Valmont's wife, as she is not interested in him, and now has a new lover.

Valmont complains about how Cécile has given farewells to everyone except him. He says he is jealous of her friendship with Danceny and thinks they are having an affair. The Chevalier Danceny writes a letter to Madame de Merteuil; he praises her for being able to keep secrets from her husband. He asks if she is interested in him, saying he would value her company. He sends her a miniature portrait of himself. Madame de Merteuil writes to Valmont; she tells him that she has not yet seen Danceny but will encourage his friendship with Cécile. She says that he makes great efforts to avoid being in love with Madame de Volanges. She warns that any attempt to court Cécile in the future will fail, as he will be unable to resist falling for Madame de Volanges' charms and thus getting her into trouble.

Danceny gets lost while walking in the countryside and is rescued by Cécile and her mother. They invite him to their house for lunch and he hopes that Madame de Merteuil is there also. In a letter to her, he says that it is hard to wait until they are alone together, as so much can be said in just a few moments. He asks what she will wear when he sees her again. She replies saying that she wants him to come and that she will wear the same gown as before.

Valmont writes about his time with Madame de Volanges; he complains about how annoyed she gets when other people are rather too fond of her daughter, Cécile. He also expresses jealousy of Danceny's relationship with Cécile and how much time they spend together.

Madame de Merteuil writes to Danceny about how Valmont has pestered Danceny with letters and that he has asked him to court Cécile. She says she wishes this were true; but she fears what may happen if Valmont finds out that he was deceived. She admits that her intentions for Danceny are not entirely honourable, but says she does not want Valmont to make him his rival.

Cécile presents a miniature portrait of Madame de Volanges to the Chevalier Danceny. She says that her aunt wants him to marry her, although she is hardly beautiful at all. He says that he has known her since she was a child and finds her charming. Madame de Volanges arrives at the house; they go to visit the gardens. As they walk around, Madame de Volanges talks about how much she likes Danceny and his character; Cécile makes it clear that she does not want her mother to pursue this relationship, as she wants Danceny for herself. When Danceny leaves them to go back inside, he is approached by Valmont who insists on making small talk with Monsieur and Madame de Volanges. It is clear that he already knows of the relationship Madame de Volanges has with Danceny.

Danceny returns home to his wife, who is surprised to see him; he explains what he has been doing. He says that after Madame de Merteuil wrote to her friend about Valmont's mistreatment of Cécile, she suggested that Danceny ask for her hand in marriage. She says that she would have been happy with such a proposal but her mother insisted on giving her one as well. When they had agreed the terms of the contract, Danceny went and told Valmont about it. Valmont acted as though he was pleased and told Danceny to hurry up, so that he would not have to wait too long. He then revealed that he had known all along about the agreement between Cécile and himself.

Valmont writes to Madame de Merteuil; she is surprised at his offer to go away with her. She asks him what she should do, saying that she must make a decision soon as there are other people interested in her affections. Valmont replies saying that if she is only interested in his wealth, then she should go ahead and choose someone else. He says that he cannot live without her and begs her not to leave him for someone else.

Conclusion Edit

Valmont goes to see Madame de Volanges to tell her that he is leaving; she offers him money but he refuses as it would not be enough to make him stay. She tells him that Cécile and Danceny have run away together; Valmont says he knew all along that they would do this and leaves. Madame de Volanges calls on Madame de Merteuil, who behaves as though she knows nothing of their relationship. She says the Chevalier Danceny is in love with another woman (Madame de Merteuil) and that Cécile will come back one day or the other..