RESISTANCE

Oh yes, let her give herself to me, but let her struggle with herself; may she, without having the strength to conquer, have the strength to resist; may she savour at leisure the feeling of her weakness and be obliged to admit her defeat. We shall allow the humble poacher to kill the stag he has surprised in its hiding-place; the true hunter will rather prolong the chase. This project is sublime, is it not? But perhaps I should now be regretting that I had pursued this course if chance had not come to the aid of my prudence.

(Letter XXIII, The Vicomte de Valmont to the Marquise de Merteuil)