All language subtitles for Dangerous.Liaisons.1988.720p.BluRay.999MB.HQ.x265.10bit-GalaxyRG

Well,

my dear.

So, how are you adapting to the outside
world?

Very well, I think.

I've advised her to watch and learn and
be quiet, except when spoken to.

So, we must see what we can devise for
your amusement.

You receive him, do you?

Yes.

So do you.

Monsieur le Vicomte de Valmont, my
child, whom you very probably don't

except that he is conspicuously
charming, never opens his mouth without

calculating what damage he can do.

Then why do you receive him, Maman?

Everyone receives him.

Madame. Vicomte. What a pleasant
surprise.

Madame de Valange.

How delightful to see you.

You remember my daughter, Cécile?

Well, indeed, but who could have
foretold she would flower so gracefully?

I wanted to call on you before leaving
the city.

Oh? I'm not sure we can allow that. Why
should you want to leave?

Paris in August, you know.

And it's time I paid a visit on my aunt.
I've neglected her disgracefully.

Madame de Rosemonde has been good enough
to invite us to stay at the chateau.

Won't you please give her our warmest
regards?

I shall make a point of it, madame.

I think it's time we took you home.

I'm used to being in bed by nine at the
convent. So I should hope.

Your aunt?

That's correct.

I thought she'd already made
arrangements to leave you all her money.

Do you know why I summoned you here this
evening?

I'd hoped it might be for the pleasure
of my company. I need you to carry out

heroic enterprise.

Do you remember when Bastide left me?

Yes. Went off with that fat mistress of
yours whose name escapes me. Yes, yes.

No one has ever done that to me before,
or to you, I suspect.

I was quite relieved to be rid of her,
frankly.

No, you weren't.

For some years now, Bastide has been
searching for a wife.

He was always unshakably prejudiced in
favor of convent education.

And now he's found the ideal candidate.

Cecile Valange.

Very good.

And her 60 ,000 a year, that must have
played some small part in Bastide's

calculations.

None whatsoever.

Bastide's priority, you see, is a
guaranteed virtue.

I wonder if I'm beginning to guess what
it is you're intending to propose.

Bastide is with his regiment in Corsica
for the rest of the year. That should

give you plenty of time.

You mean to... She's a rosebud.

You think so?

And he'd get back from his honeymoon to
find himself the laughingstock of Paris.

Well... Yes.

Love and revenge.

Two of your favorites.

What? Really, I can't.

Why not?

It's too easy.

It is.

She's seen nothing.

She knows nothing.

She's bound to be curious.

She'd be on her back before he'd unwrap
the first bunch of flowers.

Any one of a dozen men could manage it.
I have my reputation to think of.

I can see I'm going to have to tell you
everything.

Of course you are. Yes, well.

My aunt is not on her own just at the
moment. She has a young friend staying

with her.

A Madame de Torval.

You can't mean it.

To seduce a woman famous for strict
morals, religious fervor, and the

of her marriage. What could... possibly
be more prestigious.

I think there's something degrading
about having a husband for a rival.

It's humiliating if you fail and
commonplace if you succeed.

Where is Monsieur de Tauvel, anyway?

Providing over some endless case in
Burgundy. I don't think you can hope for

actual pleasure.

Oh, yes.

You see, I have no intention of breaking
down her prejudices. I want her to

believe in God and virtue and the
sanctity of marriage and still.

not be able to stop herself.

I want the excitement of watching her
betray everything that's most important

her. Surely you understand that.

I thought betrayal was your favorite
word. No, no.

Cruelty.

I always think that has a nobler ring to
it.

How is Belrush? I'm very pleased with
him. And is he your only lover?

Yes.

I think you should take another. I think
it most unhealthy, that exclusivity.

You're not jealous, are you? Of course I
am. Belrush is completely undeserving.

I thought he was one of your closest
friends.

Exactly. So I know what I'm talking
about.

No, I think you should organize an
infidelity.

With me, for example.

You refuse me a simple favor, then you
expect to be indulged? It's only because

it is so simple it wouldn't feel like a
conquest.

I have to follow my destiny.

I have to be true to my profession.

All right, then.

Come back when you've succeeded with
Madame de Tauvel.

Yeah. And I will offer you a reward.

My love.

But I shall require proof.

Certainly. Written proof.

Ah.

Not negotiable.

I don't suppose there's any possibility
of an advance?

Good night, Rico.

Oh, where have you been?

Time has no logic when I'm not with you.

An hour is like a century.

I've told you before.

We shall get on a great deal better if
you make a concerted effort not to sound

like the latest novel.

God is the Christian God.

Such a beautiful day. I believe we'll
walk. Yes, my lady.

You didn't take the sacrament today?

No.

May I ask why?

I have this appalling reputation, as you
may know.

Yes, I have been warned about you.

You have? By whom?

Fran.

The fact is I've spent my life
surrounded by immoral people. I've

to be influenced by them and sometimes
even taken pride in outshining them.

And now?

Now? What I most often feel is
unworthiness.

But it is precisely at such moments that
you start to become worthy.

I certainly believe one should
constantly strive to improve oneself.

Chevalier.

I don't believe you know my cousin,
Madame de Boulogne. This is Chevalier D

'Anthony and Madame's daughter, Cécile.

Tell us what we should think of the
opera.

Oh, it's sublime, don't you find?

Monsieur D 'Anthony is one of those rare
eccentrics who come here to listen to

the music.

I do look forward to our next meeting.

Charming young man.

Penniless, regrettably.

He's one of the finest music teachers in
the city.

Perhaps you should employ him.

How are you getting on with Madame de
Torval's maid?

Julie, to tell you the truth, sir, it's
been a bit boring.

If I wasn't so anxious to keep your
lordship abreast, I think I'd have only

bothered her once.

Still, you know what else is there to do
in the country?

Yes, well, it wasn't so much the details
of your intimacy I was after. It's

whether or not she's agreed to bring me
Madame de Torval's letters.

She won't steal the letters, sir. She
won't? You know better than me, sir.

easy enough making them do what they
want to do.

It's trying to get them to do what you
want them to do that gives you a

headache. And them, as often as not. I
need to know who's writing to her about

me. Oh, I shouldn't worry if I was you,
sir.

She told Julie she didn't believe you
went hunting in the mornings.

She said she was going to have you
followed.

So I'd say it was only a matter of time.

That... is the terrible noise he's
making.

He should get the news back to us twice
as quickly. I don't think we should make

it too easy for him.

What exactly do you think you're doing?

I'm impounding these effects, sir.

Has it not been explained to you that
your armor is not well?

I don't make the law, sir. I just do
what I'm told.

Everybody has to pay his taxes.

How much does he owe?

Well, uh... How much?

Fifty -six livres.

Pay him.

Yes, my lord.

Monsieur Armand.

Excuse me. You don't know me.

Of course I do.

Monsieur Le Vicomte.

Please, don't get up. I have to. They're
taking a bed.

No, not at all.

No one's taking anything.

Please. Please.

Please. Please.

Just two.

All right, you're over, I insist.

56 livres to save an entire family from
ruin. That seems a genuine bargain.

These days, my lord, you can find half a
dozen like that any village in the

country. Really?

I must say, the family was very well
chosen.

Solidly respectable, gratifyingly
tearful, no suspiciously pretty girls.

done. I do my best, sir.

And all that humble gratitude, it was
most affecting.

Dijon? That's from her husband.

This must be from that officious friend
of hers.

Tell me, where do you and Julie meet?

Oh, in my room, sir.

And is she coming tonight?

Right so.

I think I may be forced to burst in on
you, see if blackmail will succeed any

better than bribery. About two o 'clock
suit you?

I don't want to embarrass you. Will that
give you enough time? I'm full soft.

Is this true about Monsieur Armand?

I don't believe I know anyone of that
name. You may as well own that,

My footman happened to be passing when
you were in the village this morning.

I don't think you should pay too much
attention to servants' gossip.

It is true, isn't it?

Well, yes, it is.

You dear boy, come and let me give you a
hug.

I can't understand how someone whose
instincts are so generous could lead

dissolute life.

I'm afraid you have an exaggerated idea
both of my generosity and of my

depravity. If I knew who'd given you
such a dire account of me.

Since I don't, let me make a confession.

I'm afraid the key to the paradox lies
in a certain weakness of character.

I can't see how so thoughtful an act of
charity could be described as weak.

Because it was simply response to a
strong new influence in my life.

Yours.

You see how weak I am.

I promised myself I was never going to
tell you.

It's just that looking at you, you
needn't worry.

I have no illicit intentions.

I would not dream of insulting you.

But I do love you.

I adore you.

Please help me!

I rang a number of times. Didn't hear,
sir. I require some hot water.

Right away, sir.

Don't... Aslan?

Sir? Wait for me in my room.

You know I can't condone this sort of
behavior, Julie.

I know, sir. But you may rely on my
discretion.

Thank you, sir. Providing, of course,
that you agree to my price.

Nothing like that.

No, all I want is to get to see every
letter that Madame de Torval has

since her arrival here, and every letter
that she writes from now on.

But, sir, I can't... Deliver them to
Adeline by midnight tomorrow.

For your trouble.

with me to answer Monsieur Dauphine's
letters?

In the circumstances, yes. In what
circumstances?

It's not my place to tell you this, my
dear, if I haven't become so fond of

Go on, please.

Your marriage has been arranged.

Who is it?

Someone I know slightly.

Monsieur Le Comte de Bastille. What's he
like?

Well... You don't like him? Well, it's
not that. He's a man of somewhat erratic

judgment and rather serious.

How old is he?

Thirty -six.

Thirty -six?

He's an old man.

Do you know when?

In the new year, I believe.

Maybe there's a way to let you write to
Monsieur D 'Anthony.

Oh, Madame.

If you were to let me see both sides of
the correspondence, I could reassure

myself. But I can't show you the letters
I've already sent him.

I trust you slept well, madame. I wish I
could say that I had. I thought the

least I could hope for was that you
would respect me. But I do. Of course I

You've offended me deeply. It's
unforgivable.

This confirms everything I've been told
about you.

I'm beginning to think you may have
planned the whole exercise.

I had no idea you were staying here.

Not that it would have disturbed me in
the slightest if I had known.

You see, until I met you, I had only
ever experienced desire.

Love, never.

That's enough. No, no. You made an
accusation. You must allow me the

to defend myself now. I'm not going to
deny that I was aware of your beauty.

the point is, this has nothing to do
with your beauty.

As I got to know you, I began to realize
that beauty was the least of your

qualities. I became fascinated by your
goodness.

I was drawn in by it. I didn't
understand what was happening to me.

And it was only when I began to feel
actual physical pain every time he left

room that it finally dawned on me.

I was in love for the first time in my
life. I knew it was hopeless, but that

didn't matter to me. And it's not that I
want to have you.

All I want is to deserve you.

Tell me what to do. Show me how to
behave.

I'll do anything you say.

Very well, then.

I would like you to leave this house.

I don't see why that should be
necessary.

Let's just say you've spent your whole
life making it necessary.

And if you refuse, I shall be forced to
leave myself.

Well, then, of course, whatever you say.

Thank you.

Perhaps I might be so bold as to ask a
favor in return.

I think it would only be just to let me
know which of your friends has blackened

my name.

If friends of mine have warned me
against you, I could hardly reward them

betrayal. I must say you devalue your
generous offer if you want to use it as

bargaining point. Very well, I withdraw
the request.

I hope you won't think I'm bargaining if
I ask you to let me write to you.

Well, I... And pray that you'll do me
the kindness of answering my letters.

I'm not sure a correspondence with you
is something a woman of honor could

permit herself. So you're determined to
refuse my suggestions, however

respectable. I didn't say that. And
you'd rather be unjust than risk showing

a touch of kindness.

I would welcome the chance to prove to
you that what lies behind this is not

hatred or resentment, but... But what?

He knows exactly how far he may venture
without risk and guarantees his own

security by tormenting only the safest
kind of victim, women.

Madame de Valange.

Goodbye, aunt. Goodbye, dear boy.

Monsieur, please. I'll write soon.

My dear Madame de Torval, I have

just... come, don't move, I said, to

my death in the middle of a stormy night

during which I have been

taught from exaltation

to... exhaustion, and back again.

Yet, despite these torments, I guarantee
that at this moment,

I am far happier than you.

We'll finish it later, shall we?

Your damned cousin, the Volange bitch,
wanted me away from Madame de Torval.

Well, now I am, and I intend to make her
suffer for it.

Your plan to ruin her daughter, are you
making any progress?

Is there anything I could do to help?

I'm entirely at your disposal.

Well, yes.

I told D 'Ansony you would act as his
confidant and advisor.

I need you to stiffen his resolve, if
that's the phrase.

I thought if anyone could help... Help?

He doesn't need help. He needs
hindrances.

If he has to climb over enough of them,
he might inadvertently fall on top of

her.

I take it he hasn't been a great
success.

I've been disastrous.

Like most intellectuals, he's intensely
stupid.

I often wonder how you managed to invent
yourself.

Well, I had no choice, did I? I'm a
woman.

Women are obliged to be far more
skillful than men.

You can ruin our reputation and our life
with a few well -chosen words. So, of

course, I had to invent not only myself,
but ways of escape no one has ever

thought of before.

And I've succeeded because...

I've always known I was born to dominate
your sex and avenge my own.

Yes, but what I asked was how.

When I came out into society, I was 15.

I already knew that the role I was
condemned to, namely to keep quiet and

what I was told, gave me the perfect
opportunity to listen and observe.

Not to what people told me, which
naturally was of no interest, but to

it was they were trying to hide.

I practiced detachment.

I learned how to look cheerful while
under the table I stuck a fork into the

back of my hand.

I became a virtuoso of disease.

It wasn't pleasure I was after, it was
knowledge.

I consulted the strictest moralists to
learn how to appear, philosophers to

out what to think, and novelists to see
what I could get away with.

And in the end, I distilled everything
to one wonderfully simple principle.

Win or die.

So you're infallible, are you?

If I want a man, I have him.

If he wants to tell, he finds that he
can't.

That's the whole story.

And was that our story?

I wanted you before we'd ever met.

My self -esteem demanded it.

It's the only time I have ever been
controlled by my desire.

Madame de Valange.

Your note said it was urgent.

It's days now.

I haven't been able to think of anything
else.

Please sit down.

I have reason to believe that a... Oh,
how shall I describe it?

That a dangerous liaison...

had sprung up between your daughter and
the Chevalier D 'Anthony.

Oh, no, no, no, no. No, that's
completely absurd.

Cecile is still a child. She understands
nothing of these things.

And D 'Anthony is an entirely
respectable young man.

Tell me, does Cecile have a great many
correspondents?

Why do you ask?

I went to her room at the beginning of
this week. I simply knocked on the door

and entered.

She was stuffing an envelope into the
top right -hand drawer of her bureau, in

which I couldn't help noticing there
seemed to be a large number of similar

letters.

I'm most grateful to you.

Would you think it impertinent if I were
to make another suggestion?

No, no.

If my recollection is correct, I
overheard you saying to the Vicomte de

That his aunt invited you and Cecile to
stay at her chateau. She has, yes,

repeatedly.

A spell in the country might be the very
thing.

Thank you.

You asked for hindrances.

You are a genuinely wicked woman.

And you wanted a chance to make my
cousin suffer.

I can't resist you. I made it easy for
you. But all this is most inconvenient.

The contestable you has invited me to
stay.

Well, you'll just have to put her off.

Well, the contest has promised me
extensive use of her gardens.

green as they once were.

Maybe not.

But from what I hear, all his friends
are gardeners.

Is that so?

You want your revenge. I want my
revenge.

I'm afraid there's only one place you
can go.

Back to Monty, eh?

Back to Monty.

Where you can also pursue that other
matter.

You have some evidence to procure, have
you not?

Don't you think it would be a generous
gesture, show the proper confidence in

ability, if we were to take that
evidence for granted?

I need it in writing, Vico.

Now you must leave me.

Must I? Why?

Because I'm hungry.

Yes? I've quite an appetite myself.

Then go home and eat.

In writing.

You'll be pleased to hear, my dear, that
Armand is on his feet again and back at

work.

Who?

Monsieur Armand, whose family you helped
so generously.

Oh, yes.

When my nephew was last here, we
discovered quite by chance that he had

into the village. Are you feeling all
right, madame?

I'm sorry to interrupt, Anne.

It seemed to me all of a sudden that
madame de Torval didn't look at all

Perhaps you need some fresh air. Do you
feel constricted in any way? I feel sure

madame de Valence is right, as usual.
Turn around the grounds, perhaps.

Yes, a little walk in the gardens.

It's not too cool, I think.

Fresh air will do you the world of good.
That meal was somewhat heavy, perhaps.

I can't believe that was the cause.

Come back, Thorne.

Mademoiselle.

I have no wish to arouse suspicion, so
I'll be brief. The letter is from the

Chevalier d 'Ancony.

Yes, I... Now, the handing over of such
letters is a far from easy matter to

accomplish.

I cannot be expected to create a
diversion every day.

So... This key resembles the key to your
bedroom, which I happen to know is kept

in your mother's room on the mantelpiece
tied with the blue ribbon. Take it. Go

up now, attach the blue ribbon to it,
put it in the place of your bedroom key,

which you will then bring to me. I'll be
able to get a copy cut within two

hours. Then I can collect your letters
and deliver D 'Antonis without any

complication.

Now.

In the cupboard by your bed, you'll find
a feather and a small bottle of oil so

that you may oil the lock and the hinges
on the entry room door.

Are you sure, monsieur?

Trust me.

Believe me, mademoiselle, if there's one
thing I can't abide, it's

deceitfulness.

I trust you're feeling a little better,
madame.

If I were your monsieur, it would not be
difficult to guess who was responsible.

You can't mean me, dear.

You promised to leave here. And I did.

Would you excuse me, madame?

Quick, your mother.

What are you doing?

I just came up to fit your shawl.

Why are you so angry with me? All I can
offer you is my friendship.

Can't you accept it? I could pretend to,
but that would be dishonest.

The man I used to be would have been
content with friendship and then set

trying to turn it to his advantage.

But I've changed now.

I can't conceal from you that I love you
tenderly, passionately, and above all,

respectfully.

So, how am I to demote myself to the
tepid position of friend?

Not that you're even pretending to show
friendship.

What do you mean?

Well, is this friendly?

Why must you deliberately destroy my
peace of mind?

You were wrong to feel threatened by me,
madame.

Your happiness is far more important to
me than my own.

That is what I mean when I say that I
love you.

I think we should end this conversation.

I shall leave you in possession of the
field.

But look, we're to be living under the
same roof at least for a few days.

Surely we don't have to try to avoid
each other.

Of course not, provided you adhere to my
few simple rules.

I shall obey you in this, as in
everything.

Monsieur... What?

Nothing.

Nothing to worry about.

Have you brought a letter?

No.

Then what?

What are you going to tell your mother?

How will you explain the fact that I
have your key?

If I tell her I'm here at your
invitation, I have a feeling she'll

What do you think?

No! All right.

I just want you to give me a kiss.

A kiss?

That's all.

And then will you go?

Then I'll go.

Promise.

No, I mean, will you go now?

I don't think so.

But you promised.

I promised to go when you gave me a
kiss. You didn't give me a kiss. I gave

a kiss.

Not the same thing at all.

And if I give you a kiss?

That's just better.

I'd better go and see what's wrong, if
you'll excuse me.

Of course, my dear.

I shouldn't worry, madame. The young
have such miraculous powers of

recuperation.

I'm sure she'll soon be back in the
saddle.

else can I turn to in my desperation,
madame?

And how can I write the necessary words?

Okay. There's something going on.

Cecile won't tell me. You must speak to
her at once.

Tell me.

You resisted him, did you?

Of course I did.

As much as I could.

But he forced you.

No.

Not exactly.

But I found it almost impossible to
defend myself. Why was that? Did he tie

up? No.

No, he just has a way of putting things.

You can't think of an answer.

Not even no?

I kept on saying no all the time.

But somehow that wasn't what I was
doing.

I'm so ashamed.

You'll find the shame is like the pain.

You only feel it once.

You really want my advice?

Please.

Allow Monsieur de Valmont to continue
your instructions.

Convince your mother you've forgotten D
'Anthony and raise no objection to the

marriage. But Monsieur de Bastide!

When it comes to marriage, one man is as
good as the next.

And even the least accommodating is less
trouble than a mother.

Are you saying I'm going to have to do
that three different men?

I'm saying, you stupid little girl, that
provided you take a few elementary

precautions, you can do it or not with
as many men as you like, as often as you

like, in as many different ways as you
like.

Our sex has few enough advantages. You
may as well make the best of those you

have.

Now, here comes your mama.

So remember what I've said, and above
all, no snoozing.

How are you feeling now, my dear?

Oh, much better.

Thank you, Mama.

I think you look tired. I think you
should go to bed.

No, I... I think you should do as your
mother suggests.

We can arrange to have something brought
to your room. I'm sure it will do you

good.

Well, perhaps you're right, Madame.

You have such a very good influence on
her.

I don't think I've congratulated you on
your revenge.

So, you know.

Oh, yes.

And I believe from now on you'll find
her door unbolted.

Where is she?

Can't see her at the moment.

Surely I've explained to you before how
much I enjoy watching the battle between

love and virtue.

What concerns me is that you seem to
enjoy watching it much more than you

to enjoy winning it. All in good time.

The century is drawing to its close.

Isn't it a pity that our agreement does
not relate to the task you set me rather

than the task I set myself?

I am grateful, of course, but that would
have been almost insultingly simple.

One does not applaud the tenor for
clearing his throat.

Bye.

As with every other science, the first
thing you must learn is to call

everything by its proper name.

I don't see why we have to talk at all.
Without the correct, polite vocabulary,

how can you indicate what you would like
me to do? Or make me an offer,

something I might find agreeable.

Surely you... You see, if I do my work
adequately, I would like to think you'll

be able to surprise Monsieur de Bastide
on his wedding night.

Would he be pleased?

Of course.

You'll merely assume your mama has done
her duty and fully briefed you.

Mama couldn't possibly talk of anything
of the sort. I can't think why.

She was, after all, one of the most
notorious young women in Paris.

Mama? Certainly. More noted for her
enthusiasm than her ability, if I

rightly.

It was a famous occasion before you were
born. This would have been...

Your mother went to stay with the
Comtesse de Beaulieu, who tactfully gave

room between your father's and that of a
Monsieur Vresac, who was her

acknowledged lover at the time.

Yet, in spite of these careful
arrangements, she contrived to spend the

with a third party.

I can't believe that.

No, no, I assure you it's true.

How do you know?

The third party was myself.

You asked me if Monsieur de Bastide
would be pleased with your abilities,

the answer is education is never a
waste.

Now, I think we might begin with one or
two Latin

terms.

Vita Dulcedo et spes nostra salve. A te
clamamus exulis filii vive. A te

suspiramus gementet et plentet in hat
lacrimarum vale.

Eia ergo advocata nostra illos tuos
misericordes oculos ad nos

converte et Jesum benedictum fructum
ventris tuine.

We go for a walk together almost every
day.

A little further every time down the
path that has no turning.

She's accepted my love.

I've accepted her friendship.

We're both aware how little there is to
choose between them.

I wish you knew me well enough to
recognize how much you've changed me.

My friends in Paris were marked on it at
once.

I've become the soul of consideration,
conscientious, charitable, more

celibate than a monk.

More celibate. Well, you know the
stories one hears in Paris.

I feel she is inches from surrender.

Her eyes are closing.

Madame? Where are you going, monsieur?

To the salon.

There is no one there, the others have
all decided on an early night.

I very much missed our walk today.

Yes.

I fear with the weather as it is, we can
look forward to very few more of them.

This heavy rain is surely exceptional.

Yes. May I?

Of course.

But you see, within a week, I shall have
concluded my business.

I see.

Even so, I'm not sure I'll be able to
bring myself to leave.

Oh, please, you must.

Are you still so anxious to be rid of
me? You know the answer to that.

I rely on your integrity and generosity.

I want to be able to be grateful to you.
Forgive me if I say I don't want your

gratitude. What I want from you is
something altogether deeper.

I know God has punished me for my pride.
I was so certain nothing like this

could ever happen. Nothing like what? Do
you mean love? I can't. You promised

not to speak of it. Yes, of course, I
understand, but I must know. I can't.

Don't you understand? It's impossible.

You don't have to speak.

You don't have to speak. Just look at
me.

You must leave me. You don't want to
kill me.

You must help.

Fetch Madame. Madame de Tauvel has been
taken ill.

I heard something as I was passing. She
seemed to be having difficulty

breathing. Dear, whatever is it?

I'm all right now.

I shall leave her in your capable hands,
Aunt.

We must send for a doctor, my dear.

No, no, please, I don't need a doctor. I
just... Sit with me for a moment.

I'm most desperately in love.

To leave it the last thing in the world
I want to do, but I'd rather die than

have to live with the guilt.

My dear girl, none of this is any
surprise to me.

The only thing that might surprise one
is how little the world changes.

What should I do? What's your advice?

I remember rightly in such matters, all
advice is useless.

I'm sorry to say this, but those who are
most worthy of love are never made

happy by it.

But why? Why should that be?

Do you still think men love the way we
do?

No.

Men enjoy the happiness they feel.

We can only enjoy the happiness we give.

They're not capable.

of devoting themselves exclusively to
one person.

So to hope to be made happy by love is a
certain cause of grief.

I'm devoted to my nephew, but what is
true of most men is

doubly so of him.

And yet, he could have just now...

He took pity on me.

If he has released you, my dear child,
you must go.

What is it? Madame de Tourval.

What?

I want you to follow her right now. Stay
close to her.

I want to know everything.

Where she goes, who she sees, what she
eats, if she sleeps.

Everything.

That's for bribes. Yours will come
later.

Yes, sir. Now go.

Dear Father Anselm, try as I may, I
cannot see the necessity for the

you suggest.

However, since you insist, I propose you
bring him to see me on Thursday, the

28th at 6 o 'clock p .m.

This is excellent. Thank you, Father
Anselm. What news?

No visitors.

There still hasn't been a single visitor
since she got back.

Bit of soup last night, but didn't touch
the pheasant.

Afterwards, a cup of tea.

Nothing else to report.

Oh, yes, there is.

You wanted to know what she was reading?

The book by her bed is Christian
Thoughts, Volume 2.

How is Julie?

She seems a bit keener than she was in
the concert.

And yourself?

Talk about devotion to duty.

Off you go.

Keep it up.

Madame. Vicon.

Wow.

What a pleasant surprise.

Thank you, monsieur, for everything.

I was afraid I'd been a sad
disappointment to you.

On the contrary.

It's you I have to thank for keeping our
love alive.

Well, as to love, Cecile thinks of
little else. She and her mother are

back to Paris in two weeks, and she is
longing to see you.

I've had the most wonderful letter from
her.

Really? Not like any of her other
letters.

Somehow... quite a different tone of
voice.

My dearest D 'Anthony, I swear

to you... On my chastity, that even if
my mother forces me to go

through with this marriage, I shall be
yours completely.

Your friend, the Bicomte de Valmont, has
been very active on your behalf.

I doubt if you could do more yourself.

I don't know how I could bear to go
another two weeks without seeing her.

We shall have to do our very best to
provide some distraction for you.

Now, if you'd be so kind as to wait in
the carriage, it's a matter I must

discuss with the vicomte in private.

Of course.

I don't know how I can ever repay you.

Don't give it another thought.

It's been delightful.

Poor boy is quite harmless.

Sometimes if he can't, I can't help but
adore you.

I have a piece of news I hope you might
find entertaining.

I have reason to believe the next head
of the house at Bastide may be a

What can you mean?

Cecile is two weeks late.

Aren't you pleased?

I'm not sure.

Your aim was to revenge yourself on
Bastide?

I've provided him with a wife trained by
me to perform quite naturally services

one would hesitate to request from a
professional.

And very likely pregnant as well.

What more do you want?

All right, Vicomte, I agree.

You've more than done your duty.

Shame you let the other one slip through
your fingers.

I let her go.

But why?

I was moved.

Oh, well, then. No wonder you bungled
it.

I have an appointment to visit her on
Thursday, and this time I shall be

mirthless. I'm pleased to hear it.

Why do you suppose we only feel
compelled to chase the ones who run

Immaturity. I shan't have a moment's
peace until it's over, you know?

I love her.

I hate her.

My life is a misery.

Well,

I think I may have kept our young friend
waiting long enough.

I shall call on you sometime soon after
Thursday.

Only if you succeed, Vicomte. I'm not
sure I can face another catalogue of

incompetence. I shall succeed.

I hope so.

Once upon a time, you were a man to be
reckoned with.

I understand Father Anselm has explained
to you the reason for my visit.

Yes, he said you wish to be reconciled
with me before beginning instruction

him.

That's correct.

But I see no need for formal
reconciliation, Monsieur. No.

When I have, as you said, insulted you
and when you have treated me with an

unqualified contempt.

You run away from my aunt's house in the
middle of the night. You refuse to

answer or even receive my letters.

And all this after I have shown a
restraint of which I think we are both

I would call that, at the very least,
contempt.

I'm sure you understand me better than
you pretend, Miss June. It was me you

away from, wasn't it?

I had to leave.

You have to keep away from me.

I am as unhappy as you could have ever
wanted me to be.

I've only ever wanted your happiness.

How can I be happy without you?

I must have you or die.

Death it is.

Sorry, madame.

All I wanted from this meeting was your
forgiveness for the wrongs that you

think that I've done you, so that I may
end my days in some peace of mind.

I understood you approved of the choice
my duty has compelled me to make. Yes,

and your choice has determined mine.

Which is what?

The only choice capable of putting an
end to my suffering.

What do you mean?

I love you.

You have no idea how much. Just remember
I have made far more difficult

sacrifices than the one I'm about to
make.

Now... Goodbye. No!

Why should you be so upset by the idea
of making me happy?

You're right.

I can't live either unless I make you
happy.

So I promise no more refusals.

Yes, I think you may omit the details of
the seduction. They're never very

enlivening. Just describe the event
itself.

It was unprecedented.

Really? It had a kind of charm that I
don't think I've ever experienced

Once she'd surrendered, she behaved with
perfect candor.

Total mutual delirium, which for the
first time ever with me outlasted the

pleasure itself.

She was astonishing.

So much so that I ended by falling on my
knees and pledging her eternal love.

And do you know that at that time, and
for several hours afterward, I actually

meant it.

I see.

It's extraordinary, isn't it?

Is it?

It sounds to me perfectly commonplace.

No, no. I assure you.

But, of course, the best thing about it
is I am now in a position to be able to

claim my reward.

You mean to say you persuaded her to
write a letter as well in the course of

this awesome encounter?

I didn't necessarily think you were
going to be a stickler for formalities.

In any case, I may have to declare our
arrangement null and void.

What do you mean?

I'm not accustomed to being taken for
granted.

There's no question of that.

You're misunderstanding me.

And I've no wish to tear you away from
the arms of someone so astonishing.

We've always been frank with one
another. And as a matter of fact, I've

taken a new lover who at the moment is
proving more than satisfactory.

Oh, and who is that? I'm not in the mood
for confidences. Don't let me keep you.

You can't seriously imagine I'd prefer
her to you? You may genuinely be unaware

of this, but I can see quite plainly
that you're in love with this woman.

No.

Not at all.

Have you forgotten what it's like to
make a woman happy and to be made happy

yourself? I?

Of course not.

We loved each other once, didn't we?

I think it was love.

And you made me very happy. And I could
again. We just untied the knot. It was

never broken.

Illusions, of course, are by their
nature, sweet.

I have no illusions. I lost them on my
travels.

I want to come home.

As for this present infatuation, it
won't last, but for the moment, it's

my control.

My dear Vicomte, I'm obliged to go away
for a couple of weeks, but I'm well

aware of our arrangement.

On my return, you and I will spend a
single night together.

We shall enjoy it enough to regret it's
to be our last.

But then we shall remember that regret
is an essential component of happiness.

All this, of course, providing you are
able to procure this, famous letter.

It shall be done.

But Paris is so tedious without you.

And I am living like a medieval hermit.

All right, give me a moment.

Um, drink up. What is it?

Someone who may well not appreciate your
presence.

Do you mean a woman?

A lady, we might even say.

Oh, it's not the one we wrote that
letter to.

The very one.

I enjoyed that.

You proved a most talented desk.

I'd like to see what she looks like.
Well, you can't.

On second thought...

I don't see why you shouldn't.

Tell me, do you have plans for this
evening?

Cuban's round for dinner.

And after dinner?

Nothing firm.

Well...

I'll be there.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

I know that woman.

Are you sure? I'd be surprised.

She's been pointed out to me at the
opera.

Yes, well, she's striking.

She's a courtesan, isn't she?

Yes, I suppose, in a manner of speaking.

Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you.
Of course you haven't disturbed me. I'm

overjoyed. Let's go. You'll never be
received in my house again. I don't want

your lies and excuses.

Sit down.

Just hear me out. That's all I ask. Then
you can judge.

Unfortunately, I cannot unlive the years
I lived before I met you, and during

those years I had a wide acquaintance,
the majority of whom were no doubt

undesirable in one respect or another.

Now, it may surprise you to know that
Emily, in common with many others of her

character and profession, is kind
-hearted enough to take an interest in

less fortunate than herself.

In short, she has the time and the
inclination to do a great deal.

of charity work.

Donation to hospitals, food for the
poor.

Protection for animals.

Anything which touches her sentimental
heart.

From time to time, I make a small
contribution to her purse. That's all.

Is that true?

My relations with Emily have been for
some years now quite blameless.

She's even done a little secretarial
work for me on occasion.

Why did she laugh?

I've no idea.

Does she know about me?

No doubt she made what, in view of my
past, must be regarded as a fair

assumption.

I want to believe you I knew you were
coming up you were announced

Now it's I who must apologize.

It was most insensitive of me.

I didn't think it was possible for me to
love you more.

But your jealousy...

When will you start writing to me again?

My dear Vicomte, I don't believe this
self -denial can be good for you.

I hope it doesn't mean you're neglecting
your little pupil.

I told you, I have all my people out
looking for him. There's no trace of

It's only the wind.

Where are you?

There's nothing to be frightened about.

Yes, there is.

I'm bleeding.

Your porter seems to be under the
impression that you're still out of

I have, in fact, only just returned.

Without attracting the attention of your
porter, I think it may be time to

review your domestic arrangements.

I'm exhausted. Naturally, I instructed
the porter to inform any casual callers

that I was out.

And you here as well, my dear young
friend.

The porter appears to be having a
somewhat erratic evening.

Oh, well, I... Yes?

As a matter of fact, it's you that I'm
looking for.

Is it?

Mademoiselle Cecile returns to Paris
after an absence of over two months.

what do you suppose is uppermost in her
mind? Answer, of course.

The longed -for reunion with her beloved
Chevalier.

Biconte, this is no time to make
mischief. Nothing could be further from

mind, madame.

Go on.

Imagine her distress and alarm when her
loved one is nowhere to be found.

I've had to do more improvising than an
Italian actress. But how is she? Is she

all right? Oh, yeah. Well, no.

To be quite frank, I'm sorry to tell you
she's been ill.

Ill? Calm yourself, my friend.

The surgeon has declared her well on the
road to recovery.

But you can well imagine how desperate
I've been to find you.

Of course.

My God, how could I have been away at
such a time?

How can I ever forgive myself?

But look, all is well now with Cecile, I
assure you, and I shan't disturb you

further.

It's only that I have a little something
to show the Marquis.

Wait in my dressing room.

It's through there. I know where it is.

I see she writes as badly as she
dresses.

Is it really true the little one has
been ill?

Not so much an illness, more a
refurbishment.

What do you mean?

Miscarriage.

I'm so sorry.

Your son and Bastide's heir.

Isn't there something else that we
should be discussing? I do hope you're

going to be difficult about Dawson. I
know Bell Ross was pretty limp, but I do

think you could have found a livelier
replacement than that mawkish schoolboy.

Mawkish or not, he's completely devoted
to me.

And I suspect better equipped to provide
me with happiness and pleasure than you

are.

In your present mood.

I see.

If I thought you would be your old,
charming self, I might invite you to

me one evening next week.

Really?

I still love you, you see.

In spite of all your faults and my
complaints.

Are you sure you're not going to impose
some new condition before you agree to

honor your obligation?

I have a friend who became involved with
an entirely unsuitable woman.

Whenever any of us pointed this out to
him, he invariably made the same feeble

reply.

It's beyond my control, he would say.

He was on the verge of becoming a Latin
star.

At which point, another friend of mine,
a woman, decided to speak to him

seriously.

She explained to him that his name was
in danger of being ludicrously

with his phrase for the rest of his
life.

So, do you know what he did?

I feel sure you're about to tell me.

He went round to see his mistress and
bluntly announced he was leaving her.

Well, in fact, she protested
vociferously.

But to everything she said, to every
objection she made, he simply replied,

It's beyond my control.

You're only five minutes late, but I get
so frightened.

I become convinced I'm never going to
see you again. My angel.

Is it like that for you, too?

Yes.

At this moment, for example, I'm quite
convinced I'm never going to see you

again.

What?

I'm so bored, you see.

It's beyond my control.

Well, after all, it's been four months.

So what I said, it's beyond my control.

Do you mean you don't love me anymore?

My love had great difficulty outlasting
your virtue.

It's beyond my control.

It's that woman, isn't it? You're quite
right. I have been deceiving you with

Emily, among others.

It's beyond my control.

Why are you doing this?

There's a woman. Not Emily. Another
woman.

A woman I adore.

And I'm afraid she's insisting that I
give you up.

It's beyond my control.

And it's like your fidelity, a fact of
life, no more nor less irritating.

Certainly beyond my control.

Stop it. Don't keep saying that.

Sorry. Beyond my control.

Why don't you take another lover?

Whatever you like.

It's beyond my control.

Listen to me.

You've given me great pleasure.

But I simply cannot bring myself to
regret leaving you.

It's the way of the world.

Quite beyond my control.

Tomorrow morning, early. Yes, my lord.

This is not your appointed night.

That story you told me, how did it end?
I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Well, once this friend of yours had
taken the advice of his lady friend, did

take him back?

Am I to understand?

The day after our last meeting, I broke
with Madame de Torval on the ground that

it was beyond my... control you didn't i
certainly did but

how wonderful of you you kept telling me
my reputation was in danger but i think

this may well turn out to be my most
famous exploit i believe it sets a new

standard only one thing could possibly
bring me greater glory

what's that to win her back

You think you could?

I don't see why not.

I'll tell you why not.

Because when one woman strikes at the
heart of another, she seldom misses, and

the wound is invariably fatal.

Is that so?

Oh, yes.

I'm also inclined to see this as one of
my greatest triumphs. There's nothing a

woman enjoys so much as victory over
another woman.

Except you see, Vicomte, my victory
wasn't over her.

Of course it was. What do you mean?

It was over you.

You loved that woman, Vicomte.

What's more, you still do, quite
desperately.

If you hadn't been so ashamed of it, how
could you have treated her so

viciously?

You couldn't bear even the vague
possibility of being laughed at.

And this has proved something I've
always suspected, that vanity and

happiness...

are incompatible.

Whatever may or may not be the truth of
these philosophical speculations, the

fact remains it is now your turn to make
a sacrifice.

Is that so?

Duncany must go!

Where?

I have been more than patient with this
little whim of yours, but enough is

enough! One of the reasons why I never
remarried is despite a quite bewildering

range of offers.

was a determination never again to be
ordered around.

I must therefore ask you to adopt a less
marital tone of voice.

She is ill, you know.

I have made her ill for your sake.

So the least you can do is get rid of
that colorless... Haven't you had

enough of bullying women for the time
being?

I see I shall have to make myself very
plain.

I have come to spend the night. I shall
not... Take it all kindly to being

turned away.

I am sorry.

I've made other arrangements.

Yes, I knew there was something.

What?

Daphne isn't coming.

Not tonight.

What do you mean? How do you know?

No, because I've arranged for him to
spend the night with Cecile.

Come to think of it, he mentioned he was
expected here.

But when I put it to him that he would
really have to make a choice, I must say

he didn't hesitate.

He's coming to see you tomorrow to
explain and to offer you... Do I

have this right? Yes, I think I do.

It's eternal.

Friendship. As he said, he is entirely
devoted to you.

I may not walk on.

You're absolutely right.

Shall we go up?

Shall we... what?

Go up.

Unless you prefer this, if memory
serves, rather purgatorial sofa. I think

time you were leaving. No, I don't think
so.

We made an arrangement I really don't
think I can allow myself to be taken

advantage of for a moment longer.

Remember, I'm better at this than you
are.

Perhaps, but it is always the best
swimmers who drown. Now, yes or no?

It's up to you, of course.

I will merely confine myself to
remarking that a no will be regarded as

declaration of war.

A single word is all that's required.

My dear Chevalier D 'Anthony, I
understand you spent last night with

Cécile Valland.

I learnt this from her more regular
lover, the Vicomte de Valmont.

I'm dying because I wouldn't believe
you.

No, no.

Do as I say!

Enough of your time?

Two things, a word of advice, which, of
course, you may ignore, but it is

honestly intended and a request.

Go on.

The advice is, be careful of the Marquis
de Metoy.

You must permit me to treat with
skepticism anything you have to say

Nevertheless, I must tell you, in this
affair, we are both her creatures.

As I believe her letters to me will
prove.

And the request?

I want you somehow, somehow, to get to
see Madame de

Touseau.

I understand she's very ill.

That is why this is most important to
me.

I want you to tell her that I cannot
explain why I broke with her.

Since then, my life has been worth
nothing.

I push the blade in deeper than you just
have, my boy.

Now I need you to help me withdraw it.

Tell her it is lucky for her that I have
gone.

And I am glad not to have to live
without her.

Tell her her love.

was the only real happiness that I have
ever known.

Will you do that for me?

I will.

It's all very well, Phyllis. Sorry, no.

Let him be.

He had good cause.

I don't believe that's something anyone
has ever been able to say about me

Ooh! Ooh!