Dangerous Liaisons

the less coherent speech promotes more easily that air of trouble and confusion which is the true eloquence of love;

am very sorry that you are still sad at this moment, but it is not my fault.

I dare not flatter myself with the hope of a reply: love would have written to me with impatience, friendship with pleasure, even pity with complacence; but pity, friendship and love are equally strangers to your heart.

hat then is this fear? Ah, it is not that of reciprocation: your heart, which I have misunderstood, is not made for love; mine, which you calumniate unceasingly, is the only one which is dis­turbed: yours is even pitiless.

ne must not permit oneself excesses, except with persons whom one wishes soon to leave.

Truly, you are a hundredfold naughtier person than myself, and you would humiliate me, if I had any vanity.

et mine at least this glory – that I tried.