THE KEY

The girl occupies a bedroom, one of whose doors gives on to the corridor. But, as you might expect, the mother has taken the key. All I needed to do was to get hold of it. Nothing easier than to achieve this. I asked only to have it at my disposal for two hours, after which I could guarantee I would be in possession of a similar one. So then correspondence, conversation, nocturnal rendez-vous, everything would have become convenient and safe. However, would you believe it, the timid child took fright and refused. Anyone else would have been crushed by this, but I saw only the opportunity for a more piquant pleasure.

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