THE MARQUISE

Your orders are charming; and your manner of issuing them even more delightful. You make despotism itself seem something to be cherished. Not for the first time, as you know, do I regret I am no longer your slave. And monster though I may be, I can never recall without a pleasurable feeling the days when you bestowed sweeter names upon me. Indeed, I often long to merit them anew and, with you, hold up to the world an example of perfect constancy. But larger matters beckon. It is our destiny to make conquests; we have to follow it. Perhaps we shall meet again at the end of the course; for I have to say, my most beautiful Marquise, without wishing to anger you, that at the very least you follow hard at my heels. Since we separated for the good of society and we both preach the gospel in our different ways, it seems to me that in this mission of love you have made more converts than I have. I know your zeal, your ardent fervour. And if God were to judge us by our works, you would be the patron of a great city some day, whereas your friend would be at most a village saint.

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