"there are some people that come together for the best... with us it was for the worst." "Excuse me, but haven't we already met?" "I rather think i would remember." "Beauty spot underneath your left shoulder blade." "You're getting warmer... i know my way around you from top to toe." " Sweet little toes." " How many?" "Five?" "Madame de merteuil!" "Exactly!" "And me?" "You haven't got the slightest idea?" "A man in a bow tie and a tuxedo, it's so common." "I wasn't always in a bow tie and tuxedo." "Then i'd have to see you without." "Stop it!" "That'll do." "I don't want to be seen together." "Come to me at 10:00 tonight." "Madame de merteuil, what a pleasure!" "Good evening." "Madame de merteuil runs the merteuil foundation for the arts." "She discovers and encourages young talent in music, painting and literature." "She really does what the polytechnic does, but for the artists." "And with our own money, not the taxpayers'." "Not only good hearted, she's intelligent." "The morel boys, our twins." "A little early in the evening to be seeing double." "Would you please accompany madame de merteuil to the vip box?" "I beg you not to put me next to valmont." "I refuse to shake the cad's hand." "Well, never fear." "We know how to keep him well away." "I can't imagine why you'd invite riffraff like that." "Valmont's morals are somewhat... dissolute, but he's a great photographer." "I suspect he chose photography to seduce young idiots." "I fear there are few of those at the polytechnic." "Well?" "Their selection process is based on the intellectual... as opposed to physical." " Uniforms are flattering." " You can't go to bed with a uniform." "I find them rather charming." "They work hard and concentrate on their studies." "Then in their twenties they remain somewhat... timid and immature." "They're like kids from another era." "You're dreaming." "We're the kids from another era." " Anyone in your sights?" " I've a few ideas." "Girl or boy?" "Girl, please." "Even if the choice is limited." "Which one?" "There!" "Too easy." "Nothing is easy when you're young." "And you?" " One of the twins." " Why not both?" "Since you want me to admire you." "Okay." "Then forget the redhead who's begging for it... and you choose instead... how is she?" "Not bad." "You're lucky." "I'm going to go see to the twins." "I said yes to both, but tonight i'll only do one." " Excuse me, madame, that's my foot." " I know." " Madame, it seems like you're purposely..." " well, i am." "How dare you approach me after what you did?" "I... i don't know you." "Shut up." "Or i'll tell everything." "Right away to everyone." "Madame, i promise you that... shut up." "Don't try to make me believe that you don't get it." " You're confusing me with my brother." " Shut up." " Do you regret what you did?" " Yes." "You regret making love to me?" "No." "Well, i think you owe me an apology." "I think so too." "Good evening." "It fell by accident." "I don't believe in accidents." "Do you?" "Believe that it was an accident if you wish... but you should know that i am an excellent marksman." "You did it on purpose." "Relax." "I'll be back." "It was..." " it was..." " and more." "Well?" "Delicious." "Not really a beginner, but very passionate." " A good choice." " Yes, thanks." "And you?" "The recruitment for the polytechnic is based on excellent criteria." "And the other one?" "Soon." "I can't help but think about how that little brat... was very lucky this evening." "Really?" "My evening was certainly more boring than his." "I'm sure." "To us." "We made a pact, remember?" "You forced me." "And we're sticking to it." "Or else i lock this room up and we never see each other again." "It's absurd." "And cruel." "Never again, valmont." "We agreed." "It was so good though." "Too good." "If we are to remain friends, that's the way it has to be." "Love can never last." "Friendship can." "I was joking, darling." "I pretended to still be in love with you... to flatter your coquettishness." "Actually, i'm too tired." "Are you really going to new york?" "First thing in the morning." "You'll probably bump into gercourt there." "Will i?" "How come?" "I only have to mention that name and you... i was surprised, that's all." "After all, it's thanks to him that we met in the first place." "If he hadn't left you... we might never have met." "Some truth in that." "If he hadn't left you, you'd probably be madame gercourt now." "God knows it was the only thing on your mind in those days." "You probably wouldn't have become the slut that i know today." "You're not quite right about that." "Oh, yes i am." "This way." "Voilà." "It's an old loft that i just bought." "I plan on turning it into a gallery." "It's not easy selling modern art to the geezers in the chichi neighborhoods." "Amazing." "We've never thought of this as a way to catch millionaires." "Yes, that's the point." "You look ravishing." "Keep your niceties for someone else." "Nobody is as beautiful as you." "I'm not happy to be here." "But you're here." "Don't make me regret it." "We always had such fun." "Remember?" "I cried a lot, too." "But not you." "We were young." "So?" "When you're young, you've no need for promises." "We weren't young at the same time then." "One day, i waited for you, and all i got was a huge bouquet of lilacs." "And it was over, just like that." "To this day, i can't stand the color purple." "It's too bad." "It wasn't the flower's fault." "Why the hell did i leave you?" "I really don't understand." "What an idiot i must have been." "What's wrong with you?" "You're talking nonsense." "You sound like a salesman." "You can't change the past, antoine." "I'm not even trying." "If you prefer, the past doesn't exist at all." " Don't be silly." " That's what i think when i'm with you." " What do you want?" " Forgiveness." "I would sooner forget you than forgive you." "And then what?" "He took me to my hotel and left me at the door." "He didn't try and come up with you?" "He's got some manners." "Either he can't do it anymore or he doesn't want to." "He's a gentleman." "He respects me." "Oh, come on, isabelle, if he really wanted to, he'd do it... the night you first met." "It's easy as abc." "Don't you have any idea what it is to be a decent human being?" "No." "Look at you." "How defensive you are." "Like a little tigress." "He just has to click his fingers and you fall at his feet." " He's the one who did that." " Be careful." "He's in paris." "I'm having dinner with him tomorrow." "Watch out, isabelle." "Not for him, for you." "Meaning what?" "What do you expect to get out of your dinner with him?" "It's the first time that you don't know what you want." "Stay in control, isabelle, whatever you do." "You have no right to be here." " Get out immediately." " Listen to me!" "He will be the only player in your game now." " Get out." " An object like all the rest." "A carbon copy of them." "I've reached a point in my life where... i really need to make peace with my past." "I only belong in the past?" "I'm foolish, forgive me." "Again!" "Always this need for forgiveness." "What is it, antoine?" "Not all at once." "I'll tell you soon." "Tell me." "Are you ill?" "On the contrary." "Really, on the contrary... i'm doing this for the future." "What's happening to us?" "Okay, we shouldn't." "You're right." "We're going too fast." "I shan't ask you to join me." "Good night." "Bravo." "Very nice control of the situation." "Now he's ripe." "I give him less than a week before he declares his intentions." " Think so?" " Yes." "And then the coup de grace." "One shot." "Out of the game." "Right out of it." "So years later... it's you who's getting rid of him." "Revenge is sweet." "Why don't i toy a little longer with him?" "Take him back to my bed... let him hope a little, and get back in the groove." "Oh yeah, even better." "Isabelle, i'm so looking forward to my granddaughter playing for you." " I may not be the best person to judge." " Oh, come on." "You're the director of your foundation for the arts." " Well..." " i imagine that artists are a bit like horses... you're able to tell the good from the bad right away." "I'm not a horse trader." "I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than me." "Can i tell you something?" "Music bores me to tears." "I find it has only one virtue, a medicinal one:" "It puts me to sleep." "As long as it is not played too loudly." "Cecile!" " You remember your godmother, don't you?" " Yes, of course." "But i was a little girl the last time i saw you." "Boarding school in switzerland scarcely gave her time to come to paris." "Honestly, i wouldn't have known you." "I remember a little girl, not a beautiful woman." "Cecile." "Would you play that piece you chose for madame de merteuil?" "I'm afraid she'll be bored." " Not as much as me." " Oh." "Go on, play." " Well, tell me the truth, will you?" " Well... she plays very well, she's a very good pianist." "As i suspected, it's a catastrophe." "In our family, we don't raise our girls so they can work." "We're rich!" " But why does she need to be an artist?" " It'll keep her occupied." "An occupation, yes." "But a passion, no." "If it makes her happy... that's possibly her fiancé." "What haste!" "No need to introduce us, we're..." " old friends." " Wow, that's amazing... you've met my godmother." "It's a small world." "Yes." "It's a small world." "Very small indeed." "Isabelle, i should have told you myself." "I was aware that you knew the volanges... that you were practically a part of the family, and I... but i'm very happy for you, antoine." "She's ravishing, and so well brought up." "You will make a lovely couple, a happy couple." " You're not angry?" " What for?" "Everything." "Don't be silly!" "You needn't ask my permission." "And i am so happy we're friends again." "We'll be seeing a lot of each other." " I'm so glad that you feel that way." " What other way is there?" "Where to, madame?" "Drive." "It doesn't matter, just drive." "Revenge!" "That's an emotion." "It's nasty, so i'll allow it." "All he wanted was my forgiveness." "He just wanted to get closer to my goddaughter, for heaven's sake." "I'll show him." "Instead of forgiveness, he'll taste my revenge." "Do you think we'll be clumping around here one day?" "Me bald." "You with blue hair." "Old bones on the move?" "No." "I think we shall be roasting in hell." "Will we always have to meet in such strange places?" "It's funny, in a way." "Their rheumatism gives them a certain style." "You are getting overheated, i can tell." "About gercourt." "You still have strong feelings for him." "You're right." "I'm going to cool down." "The only way to do it... is to ruin his precious happiness." "And you're going to help me to do it." "First, you are going to meet cecile." "You will court her." "Then you are going to get her into bed." "And you are going to get her pregnant." "And all that before dear gercourt gets the ring on her finger." "He wanted a little virgin straight out of finishing school in switzerland... with not a scratch on her." "We'll give him a wedding night to remember." "Is that a deal?" " What is it?" " It sounds good, but... it's just that i'm going south tomorrow to visit my aunt." "As soon as i get back, i'll deal with your little cecile." " Hello?" " It's me, valmont." " Go to the window." " But i'm sleeping." "I'm asking you to go to the window." "You see?" "I'm only spending one night down there." "I'll kiss my aunt and come home." "You know my usual luggage?" "Do you see?" "I'm only bringing this." "Do you believe me now?" "Till tomorrow, then." "I've made up your favorite room." "It's preferable for a long stay." "Actually, i was going to... and now, i'd like to introduce my guest, marie tourvel." "Hello." "Delighted." "Don't stand on ceremony with me." "There's no ceremony here." "My nephew hates kissing everybody." "He prefers a more formal approach." "I prefer to have a real reason for a good kiss." "Marie has come here for a rest." "The diplomatic corps have sent her husband on a mission... to i don't know where... africa... senegal..." " the lvory coast." " Yes, that's it." "One of those impossible places we're always hearing about on the radio." "She finds herself momentarily single again." " I told her to come here for a change of air." " Great idea." " I'll fetch some refreshments." " No, i'll go." "I'll come with you." "I know your reputation, sir." "Wow, people must say horrible things." " Yes, they do." " And you believed them?" "Before i met you i didn't, now i do." "So there's no point in trying anything with me." "I know you're after all the girls." "And i can see the advantages... but i want to tell you that i love my husband, i adore your aunt... and it would be nice if we could all get along here intelligently." "Okay?" "All right, but i must say i'm a bit surprised by this preamble." "After what i've heard, it seemed useful." "Well, they lied to you." "I don't jump on every woman i meet." "I only go after ones i like." " Oh!" " So you don't need to worry." "There's nothing to worry about." "We'll be great friends." "9:00. it's him." "Excuse me." "Her husband calls every night." "She thinks about it all day!" "I've never seen such devotion in a woman." "It's very touching." "Don't pretend." "Not with me." " I don't believe in fidelity." " Me neither!" "Not for you and me." "But for others, yes." "Marie tourvel is a woman who would never cheat on her husband." " Don't tempt fate." " Don't talk nonsense." "Let me be clear." "You'll leave marie tourvel alone." "She's my friend." "I would never do that to you, my aunt." " Anyway i'd have to find her attractive." " And you don't?" "Yes, but so virtuous, it's boring." "Just thinking about her in bed puts me to sleep." "Tell me, you only brought one small bag." "How long are you going to stay?" "Two weeks as usual." "Yes." "Valmont?" "Hold on please." "Madame de merteuil... he's out." "Can he ring you back?" "What do you look for in a man?" "The qualities that i don't seem to have." "Generosity, selflessness, compassion." "You want someone like a priest." "Without the cassock." "A defrocked priest, then." "But i'm not looking anymore." "I married a man like that." "And you?" "What do you look for in a woman?" "Why do you laugh?" "Given my past failures, i don't think i'm the best person to ask." "Failures?" "They say women are falling all over you." "It's one success after another." "Well, if it's quantity that counts, then successes they are." "But when it comes to quality... i'm a definite flop." "What i look for in a woman, they all have:" "Mouth, ass, waist, breasts." "Pleasure for the partaking... i've never found what it was in a woman that made her unique." "That's no doubt the crux of the problem." " So you're suffering?" " No, no." "It's really inelegant to suffer." "Please, don't stay, it's very risky." "My husband came home unexpectedly last night." "He mustn't see you." "He's very jealous." "And he's violent." "Your husband?" "But you never told me... it's lucky that i saw you by the window." "A sort of instinct." "You're even more handsome in daylight." " Go, leave quickly." " But i want to see you again." "Me too, but..." "later." " When?" " I don't know." "5:00 at the café des saints-pères." "Go!" "No, i can't." "See you later!" "Quickly!" "I think the young man over there finds you to his liking." "What do you think of him?" "Tell me honestly." "No, too young." "A coffee, please." "Thank you for the tea." "It was a pleasure to see you." "I feel so alone in paris." "And gercourt?" "He's still in new york buying paintings." "Thank you." " See you tuesday!" " Till then!" "Goodbye!" "This is frustrating!" "I want to see you so badly." "Did i hurt you?" "No, not you." "Who then?" "Him?" "When he returns from traveling, he's always crazy." " Finally, you understand me." " The bastard!" "Yesterday, i fought back... i have bruises." "I want to do something for you, take you away from him." "My poor boy... you think i'm naive because i'm young?" "You think that i don't know how to fight?" "That i'm too young to fall for you?" "So, you're falling for me a little?" "I'll prove it to you." "Thank you very much." "Well?" "Very talented." "Yes, i agree with you." "The perfect candidate for the foundation." "Absolutely." "Next, please." "Raphael danceny." "He seems very timid." "He may be timid but he has a lot of character." "Indeed." "He's a virtuoso." "The public will adore him." " Who are those people?" " Them?" "It's the workman's children." "He just died." "His wife is on her own now with six of them." "They must be the only poor people in the area." "Not for long." "The developers are swooping." "The family owes money, and their creditors won't leave them alone." "They'll have to leave." "But where will they go?" "It's disgraceful!" "You look anxious." "Anxious?" "No, i'm not." "I'm going for a drive in the hills." " See you later." " Bye." "Ha ha, my little beauty." "You're falling in my trap." "Here's the ice cream!" "Mine's strawberry." "What's keeping him?" "I simply hate fish when it's overcooked." " Too bad, we'll have to start without him." " Right, madame." "Oh, excuse me." "At last!" "Where were you?" "I've just seen my latest conquest to the door." "Egomaniac." "All you think of is yourself." " Oh, of course." " She had nice breasts, i hope." "Two, to be exact." "Heavens, i've forgotten my pills." "Just a second." "You really are a mystery." "Why do you play the cynic?" "Because i am one." "I'm not so sure." "I have a sense that you're more altruistic than you pretend to be." "Why do you say that?" "Intuition." "Now then, marie." "It's 9:00." " It's surely your husband." " Oh, yes." "How extraordinary." "It's the first time she's forgotten." "By the way, madame de merteuil called again." "I really don't know what to tell her." "Call her, please." ""Sorry, darling." ""My aunt is begging me to stay."" "Thank you." ""You'll have to wait for me a little longer before taking your revenge." ""But don't worry, ten days at the most." ""See you soon." "I hope you won't hold it against me." ""Actually, knowing you, you will."" "Ten days, impossible." "It really isn't fair." "My dear isabelle... for what reason have you brought this boy here?" "To discourage your granddaughter." "We've given him a bursary for two years and are actively seeking contracts." "Faced with him, i think cecile will realize that... she's not on the same level, not in the same court." "I hope you're right." "In any case, i'm happy to know that you've come round to taking my side." "Let's discourage her from being an artist." "As a wife, she'll be perfect." " Where is the bridegroom?" " Gercourt?" "Still in new york for the exhibition of one of his drugged-up artists." "No, but this man is the perfect fiancé." "Celebrated, seductive, never there!" "Cecile won't have to take notice of his faults." "She idealizes gercourt totally." "She's very lucky to have you." "Ah, that is you... fiery red." " How about something a little darker?" " Darker?" "Just because you're marrying someone more mature, you don't have to look older." "Don't get upset... i'm only thinking aloud." "I'm sorry, cecile." "I think gercourt is a wonderful man." " You really think so?" " Yes." "I'm really proud that he chose me." "You can be." "Make yourself at home... and play as long as you want." "Unlike your grandmother... it doesn't bother me." "Oh, my god!" "It's danceny." "I'd completely forgotten." "The poor boy's only got a tiny room to rehearse in... i said he could come here." "It never occurred to me that you might well coincide." " It's not a problem." " Oh, i'm so silly!" "No, it's no problem!" "We'll just tell him i'm on my way up." " Really?" "You'd do that for him?" " With pleasure." "Oh, you're an angel." "Danceny." "Good afternoon, madame." " Hello, cecile." " Hello." " Are you sure this is all right?" " Yes, make yourself at home." "I have so many phone calls to make." "I'll leave you with cecile." "And you can play as loud as you want." "I won't hear a thing." "See you later." "What are you working on?" "Brahms' third." "We can play together if you like." "It's very nice to see you." "And you." "I bet we'll be terrific together." "You do?" "Playing together, i mean." "Except that i'm nowhere near your level." "Don't be too sure." "No, i'm absolutely positive." "What matters is how we combine." " Don't you think so?" " Yes." "Let's start with the second part if you like." " I love it so much." " Me too." "Brahms." "So romantic." "Straight to the point." "I'm going for a walk in st." "Tropez." "See you later." "Till tonight, dear." "He says he's going for a walk but i'll bet he's got a girl somewhere." " Well, you're imagining things." " But no, i'm not imagining it." "Valmont is young, handsome and keen on women." "No, i simply regret being born so long ago... and having to content myself with being his old aunt." "The truth, at last!" "It's so nice out." "I'm going back to read a little." " See you later." " All right." " Look, new bikes." " Champagne." " I don't believe it." " A cake." " And a little something for you." " Oh, no." "You know, i saw you this afternoon." "I know." "Why do you sneak around to do your good deeds?" "I look ridiculous in a halo." "That's not what that family thinks." "I prefer your true feelings... over feigned cynicism." "You wouldn't like my true feelings." "That's where you're wrong." "Valmont, you have more love than you choose to show." "Isn't it dangerous to show it?" "Not at all." "All right, then." "I love you." "I love you because you're like no other woman i ever met." "Because you're beautiful, without being conceited." "Because you are incapable... of seducing a man one day, only to cheat on him the next." "I love you because... your words and your actions are completely natural." "I love you because... you have the most exquisite smile in the world... and you never laugh to show it off." "I love you because... you're love in its purest form." "You can even love someone who isn't there to enjoy it." "I can't listen to this." "See?" "I can't let my feelings show." "When i tell you the truth, you don't want to listen." "You prefer me to be a liar, don't you?" "Good night." "I need to be alone." "You shouldn't say those things to me." "I hate to spoil things but i think you forgot your appointment at the foundation." "God, i'm going to be late." "My chauffeur will take you." "You'll be all right." "Sorry, cecile." "Do you have to be so cold with her?" "Cold?" "I'm not cold." "She was in tears yesterday after you'd gone." "She likes you a lot, you know." "She presumes you don't like her." "I'm crazy about her." "What do you do when you hate someone?" " Cecile's engaged to be married." " Engaged?" "I guess you could call it that." "I feel sorry for her." "An older man chosen by her grandmother." "Just like in the 19th century!" "A man who won't even let her be a musician." "And poor cecile, who believes her admiration for gercourt is like loving him." "What a waste!" "No, what i'd like for her is someone to open her eyes... and take her out of this marriage which is going to make her miserable." "You're going to be late." "You sound wonderful together." "It's a shame you don't really like him." "Me?" "You have not noticed how interesting he is." "I have." "Or even the way he looks at you." "He doesn't look at you." "He devours you." "You haven't noticed, but... i suppose it's normal." "For you, he's just someone to play brahms with." "And you're quite right." "Cecile, you're such a different girl from the one i was." "For someone like danceny, i would have given up everything." "Everything." "But you're doing the right thing." "And despite your young age, you really behave like a woman." "Meanwhile, i would like you to do something for me, cecile." "Would you do something for me?" "Anything." "Try not to hurt danceny." "He's a very gifted, very sensitive person." "And he can be very fragile." "I'm afraid of what he might do if you hurt him." "I wouldn't do anything of the kind." "But you always give him the cold shoulder, don't you?" "Be honest." ""Hello, goodbye, one, two, b-flat." How warm is that?" " I promise i was very nice to him." " I can see what's going on!" "He plays like an angel." "He adores you... and you would sooner have an older man." "And treat raphael like a wind-up toy." "You've no right to say that." "What?" "That you love an older man?" "I love gercourt, and none other." "I know." "And you're absolutely right." "Forgive me." "I got a little carried away." "But promise me one thing." "Try to be a little kinder to danceny." "I promise." "Good morning, madame." "Marie doesn't feel well." " She wants to stay in her room." " Oh?" "Nothing serious, i hope." " Too much sun yesterday, perhaps." " That must be it." "Is it a crime to love you?" "Valmont" "a note for you." " Who from?" " Me." "Take it away." ""Is it a crime to love you?"" "Valmont." "A telegram for you." "Isabelle?" "You still recognize me?" " I thought you'd completely forgotten me." " But... i'm happy to note that if you don't answer my calls... you still receive my telegrams." "I spent my time outdoors." "I asked you a favor." "To sleep with the volanges girl." "And you ran away." "And i will get around to it." "But it comes at a really awkward moment." "I'm otherwise occupied." "Who is it?" "Marie tourvel, the wife of a diplomat." "And it can't wait." "No, she's taken the bait." "You're not scoring as fast, you're getting old." "Hook, line and sinker, i tell you." "I've thrown a young man into cecile's arms who might take her fancy." "He has done so and he fancies her..." " but..." " but what?" "They're going at a snail's pace." "At this rate they'll be kissing in six months." "You think you have the time when you are young." "Come back with me." "Later." "I need you for my revenge." "Without me, i miss all my pleasure." "What's she got, this marie tourvel?" "She's touched me." " Put her off." " No." " Then hurry up." " No, i want it to work really well." "You shouldn't be so beautiful when you're angry." "I'll have to spend the next 100,000 years infuriating you." "Such a shame to come so far for nothing." "Yes." "It's a shame." "And to find ourselves here when our real place... is in hell." "You really can't stand the idea of needing a man... of waiting for a man." "Are you still a man?" "Hurry up." "And your second twin?" "You promised me two polytechnic hats." "Why don't you try water-skiing, marie?" "Valmont could teach you." "I'm sure i wouldn't be any good." "You should try it." "You must admit you're not very chatty tonight." "I'm so sorry, rosemonde." " Madame, the colonel for you." " Excuse me." "If i've understood... it fills you with horror because i love you." "I simply can't be listening to this." "You can't even look at me." "I have that effect." "You've absolutely no effect." "So much the better." "Let's be friends like we were before." "I shall put my love in my pocket... wrap my cares in my handkerchief and pick up exactly where we left off." "No... not after what you've told me." "I have always loved you." "You weren't aware of it then, so it won't bother you." "Forget it ever happened." " You really must try to get beyond it." " What?" "What you feel and more." "Oh, no, never." "The problem is that one never knows when you're being entirely sincere or not." "What's real are the bad things everyone says about me, myself included." "What's false... is the good person you think i am." "We'll see." "My children!" "Why don't we go for a drink and some dancing?" "Wonderful idea!" "I don't know if i should." "My dear, you're wallowing." "You need some distraction!" "And the colonel is insisting that we go out." " Who's the colonel?" " Her fiancé." "My knight in shining armor!" "I've always liked soldiers more than barflies!" "I'm his alibi for all the gossips around here." "He's a very charming companion." "This way, he's my fiancé, and valmont is yours." "And we save face." "Sit here." "I don't love you." "I love you!" "I must have bought 18,000 pairs of shoes in my lifetime... i must have bought 18,000 pairs of shoes in my lifetime... and i never bore of them." "It's always the 18,001st pair i like the best." "I followed your advice." "What about?" "The lipstick?" "No, about danceny." "We went to see a movie together." "I've been nicer to him." "He must have loved that." "We both did." "So?" "Did you take a better look at him this time?" "I've always looked at him." "Tell me, cecile." "Your hairstyle." "Did you take a vow, or is it by choice?" "I don't know." "I've never really thought about it." "It shows." "You look positively fresh from the convent." " Really?" " Could i try something?" "A little volume would be nice." "May i ask you a personal question?" "Go ahead." "Why are you getting married so young?" "I've no reason to wait... since i've found the man i love." "Are you sure of it?" "Who can be sure?" "I think so, yes, basically." "I'm not afraid." "No, i think that might be what you find attractive." "Why?" "Because you're with a man your father's age." "I realize that you didn't know your father." "Isn't that a bit simplistic?" "Simplistic?" "That's what people say when they're being defensive." "My sweet cecile." "I love you very much... i love your grandmother and i love gercourt." "I would like to be sure... for all your sakes you're making the right decision." "You never have doubts?" "What do you know?" "I don't know, i get that impression." "I was taught to be discreet." "When i was your age, i had some experiences before getting married." "Have you ever thought about it?" "Yes." " Lately?" " Yes, with danceny." "A little black dress... and you'll look ravishing." "Danceny is so young and vibrant." "It is difficult to resist his charm." "Your secret's safe with me." "Let's see how things evolve." "It may only be a passing phase." "Thank you." "It's good to talk to you." "For me, you're more than a friend." "You're like a mother." "A mother... what an idiot!" "She tried to kill herself!" " Who?" " Cecile!" "What happened to her?" "If she finds out that i talked, i'm dead!" "In the bathroom, the empty bottle of pills!" "I forced her to throw up." "She got through it okay." " What can i do?" " Nothing!" "Absolutely nothing!" "Never say a word to her about this!" "In that case, why did you come to tell me?" " Because it's about you!" " Me?" "She wasn't too sure about marrying gercourt... she felt like she was deceiving her beloved grandmother." "She couldn't deal with it anymore!" "Luckily, she failed." "What are you planning to do?" "I don't know." "I have to think." "I'll write to my parents." "A girl commits suicide over you and you write to your parents?" "If i must marry her, yes." " Who said anything about marriage?" " I did!" "If she doesn't want gercourt anymore!" "Maybe it's too early to think about marriage." "Wait and see how well you get along with her." "You know, when i get involved in a relationship, it's all the way." "Yes." "Of course!" "Madame volanges, what a nice surprise." "Marie, i'd no idea you were staying with rosemonde." "Yes, i'm killing time... waiting for edouard's return." "That's right, it's better to kill time than kill your husband." "I just came down for a couple of days to air my villa." "Rosemonde isn't here?" "No, she's in the village..." " with her nephew." " Her nephew... valmont?" "Yes." "You mean to tell me you're living here alone with rosemonde and valmont?" "Yes." "My dear, you're completely mad." "He's a pathological don juan." "It's inevitable, he'll try to seduce you." "He tried but i didn't let him." " And he stopped?" " Yes." "And you believe it?" "What do you mean?" "That he's really stopped." "It's a ploy." "A disappearing tactic... to prepare for a surprise attack." "I'm sure he's already declared his love for you." "My dear girl." "Valmont's a demon." "He doesn't like women, he likes to see their downfall." "At the very moment he possesses you... it ceases to be an adventure... and it's finished." "At the moment, you're just getting the dreamy side." "The one that makes you swoon." "To yield would be a disaster." "It'll end in tears." "Marie, marie." "I know of only one woman who stood up to him." "Madame de merteuil." "Yes." "You know her." "She runs the foundation for the arts." "Valmont was relentless in his pursuit and it cost him an absolute fortune." "She resisted everything, she never gave in... and i respect her a great deal for that." "Dear marie, be like her." "Resist temptation." "But i do resist." "And i shall continue to." "You have only one way." "Insist that he leaves." "It'll be me who leaves." "No, rosemonde won't understand!" "She'll think that you're bored." "She'll be mortified." "Insist that valmont go away." "It's difficult." "I'm anxious to see you so hesitant." "He seriously couldn't have won." "But no, i tell you no." "Well, then do it." "If not, you'll find yourself on the road to perdition." "Forewarned is forearmed." "I won't change my mind." "If you won't leave, i will." "And you'd deprive my poor aunt of her favorite nephew?" "All right then, i'll leave." "No, she won't understand." "She'll think i did something to drive you away." "Why?" "Has it happened before?" "You've driven lots of them away?" "No, normally they stay." "And they're very happy to!" "So sure of yourself." "I wish you'd understand that i talk like this... because when i'm with you i feel different." "You must have said this a thousand times." "Maybe i said it... but i didn't think it." "There's just no believing you." "You don't believe me." "You can't believe i love you." "So i know that you're not altogether indifferent." "Don't push it." "They say you're capable of twisting anyone round your little finger... and that only one woman has ever resisted you." "What?" "What are you going on about?" "It's madame de merteuil, i've been told." "Who told you that?" "My aunt?" " The poor..." " who told you that?" "Who dares to give me such a disgraceful image?" "Who?" " No." " Who did you call?" "Believe me, i tell you, no one." "I get it, that volanges woman." "The old bitch dropped in this afternoon." "I don't know what's going on any more..." " i'm leaving." " No, i'll leave." "But only for one reason... because you asked me to." " Thank you." " Michel... get my car ready, i'm going back to paris." "Marie?" "It's valmont." "Since i left you... i don't seem to be able to get things straight in my mind." "It's so frustrating." "I miss you." "I miss your expression... i miss your voice." "Even your indifference." "I feel numb... or torpid... as if i didn't have a body at all." "Don't hang up." "I haven't said anything wrong." "Is it disrespectful to tell you that i love you?" "Brilliant!" "You sounded so sincere." "I was sincere." "And now, are you being sincere?" ""Meet me tonight in megève." ""Chalet bleu, route des glaciers." "If you love me!"" "Thank you." ""Meet me tonight in megève, chalet bleu, route des glaciers." ""If you love me!"" "I have to review some math." "Excuse me?" " Tell her that i'll be there." " Good." "And remember, not a word to anyone." "Nothing." "Lyon station." "You're looking for... what's the matter with you?" "I told you that i waited for you all afternoon!" "You're mistaking me for my brother." "Pathetic!" "Save the twin trick for someone dumber than me." "Where is ludovic?" "I don't know." "He left for two days without telling me anything." "I'm hugo and i can offer you a drink if you'd like." "I don't believe it!" "What?" "That my weird brother could seduce a woman like you!" "It's a question of style." "Your brother isn't weird at all when he's with a woman." "Stop it!" "Yes he is!" " I'm telling you, he isn't!" " He is!" "Anyway, that's what all the girls say!" "Well, the ones who have... the ones who've what?" "Who've been with both of you?" "And what do they say?" "What's the judgment?" "In my favor!" "Pretentious!" "Always in my favor." "And vain!" "200% in my favor." "Show me." "Show me?" "But, i have..." " what?" "Scruples?" " No." "No, math homework." "I was beginning to give up on you." " I've come back for our revenge." " Our revenge?" "I told you about that idiotic marie tourvel, didn't i?" "The lady at my aunt's?" "Virtuous, beautiful, modest." "Exactly the type of creature that excites a predator like myself." "She was nearly ripe... ready to fall off the tree into my arms... when who comes along but old volanges... to sabotage all my hard work." "Poor dear." "Life is tough for a predator like yourself." "She asked me to leave." "Which you did?" "I want the lady to come to me of her own accord." "Anyway, if it's not too late... your revenge will be my revenge too." "I'll fix the volanges creature by screwing her granddaughter." "What's she called?" " Cecile." " Cecile?" "Perfect name for a victim." "I'm so relieved you're back." "This young violinist danceny is after cecile... but he's painfully slow." "But he's painfully slow." "I think cecile and gercourt will have come back from the honeymoon... before he had the guts to touch a hair on her head." "Don't worry, i'm here now." "Here's to it then." "Pure evil!" "Pure evil it is." "I haven't offended you, have i?" "Perfect." "What are they for?" "You'll see." "Give them to gercourt?" "No, much worse." "I'm going to use this photo to throw you into the ring." "Okay, i'll seduce your little volanges." "I'll get her pregnant." "If you..." " in exchange, tear up the pact." " Our pact?" "Yes." "The pact of eternal separation." "I deflower your pure little girl... and have you as a reward." "Me?" "Please." "Why not?" " It would ruin something." " But what?" " I really want you." " Exactly!" "Desire is the promise of pleasure, pure pleasure!" "So what's stopping us?" "No." "After the pleasure that unites, comes the disgust that pushes apart." "Not with us." "Desire, pleasure, disgust." "It's the law of nature." "But love can change all that." "Love?" "Neither of us knows what love is!" "Perhaps we love each other." "Friendship." "Complicity." "That's all." "Okay." "You take care of the volanges girl and i'll break the pact." " One night." " No." "A night and a day." "At least that." "You want to tell me something?" "I'm very confused." "If i don't say anything, i feel like... i'm betraying you." "And if i tell you, i feel like i'm betraying cecile." "What's going on?" "Is it serious?" "A photographer friend of mine came here to take some pictures." "Here is one of them." "Where are you going?" "To the tennis courts to fetch cecile." "I want an explanation." "I wouldn't do that." "What would you do?" "What can cecile possibly have to say?" "She can't deny it, so she'll insist she loves danceny... that she doesn't want to marry gercourt anymore." "Is that what you want?" "It's just a fling." "Maybe it's just a passing crush." "Separate cecile and danceny." "That might be enough." "Maybe." "Do you still have your house in st." "Tropez?" "Yeah... the perfect excuse to visit dear rosemonde." "Perfect." "You take cecile down south... and i'll keep danceny busy in paris at the foundation." "I know she suspects something." "She won't let me answer the phone." "She checks the mail." "We're going away tomorrow." "I'll help you." "Come with me." "It would be sad if you two could not communicate when you're out of town." "My grandmother won't let me take any calls." " He'll call you at valmont's, not at home." " Valmont?" "Valmont, like me... can't stand it when lovers are apart." "I'm staying with my aunt rosemonde near where you're staying." "Every night at 12:00... you can come into my room." "Danceny can call you as much as he likes." "I'll have to go out the window at granny's house." "What else were windows made for?" "how lovely to have you here with me!" "I've been spoilt this year." "Marie's spent several weeks here and now you arrive." "And we'll be able to play chase the man." "We'll definitely play chase the man." "I beg your pardon?" "It's called chase the lady." "It's like checkers... but we've never understood why it's called chase the lady... so we call it chase the man." "I suddenly remembered that i forgot to stay." "Here's your drink, alice." " Cecile." " I beg your pardon, cecile." "Here, marie." " Cecile?" " Yes?" "I must tell you something." "Watch out for valmont." "He's a nasty piece of work." "He's a liar, a seducer, and not to be trusted." "I'm happy to hear you say it." " He left me with a bad taste in my mouth." " Good." "Your instinct is right." "He probably has cloven hooves and a long tail like the devil!" "I hope we won't have to spend too much time with him." "No, just enough not to upset rosemonde." "As little as possible." " Good." " Good night, my dear." " Good night." " Sleep tight." "Mireille, you can turn off the lights." "It's me." "Danceny's about to call." "Come on." "Thank you." "Okay." "Of course." "You can't say things like that on the phone." "Okay." "I miss you terribly." "Lots of kisses." "I love you." " Thank you so much." " It's nothing." " Tomorrow, then?" " Till tomorrow." "Will you find the way all right?" "Of course." "See you tomorrow." "Cecile!" "You forgot something!" " Thank you." " Stop thanking me." "I don't know what to say!" "You're being so nice..." " and my grandmother said..." " such terrible things about me." "There's bad blood between your grandmother and me." "She's angry at me for saying no." " No to what?" " No to what two adults do together." "Grandmother?" "Grandmother!" "It was 15 years ago." "She probably thought i was a gigolo." "At the time, she went through them pretty quickly." "My grandmother?" "You're very pretty when you're shocked!" "What do you think?" "Why do you think she sent you off to switzerland?" "For your studies, of course." "But to be left in peace, above all!" "Now that she's old, she can preach." "But she's not always been that way." "All the better for her!" "She had a good time." "Good night." "Good night!" "Joseph!" "Go pick some roses for the table at lunch." "Joseph!" "Go pick some roses for the table at lunch." " Yes, madame." " Thank you." "Is it wise to play tennis in the bright sun?" "Don't worry, auntie." "See you later." "You promised to leave." " But i did." " But you came back." "Does it matter, since you don't love me?" "When you are away it is easier for me to resist." "Resist what, marie?" "Resist temptation?" "Resist your feelings?" "No, your persistence." "We're friends, aren't we?" "You despise friendship, it's not enough for you." "Between you and me, no, it's not enough." "But i don't mind trying." "Because you have... my respect." "Because i admire your concept of marriage." "Because i envy your fidelity... as much as i may suffer." "If friendship is what you demand of me... i love you enough to give you that." "I don't believe you." "You don't believe me, or you don't want to believe me?" "May i have your permission to play tennis with valmont?" "But of course, my dear." "On one condition." " What?" " You thrash him." "Hello." "Hello, cecile." "Shall we play chase the man?" "Yes, let's play." "That'll liven things up." "You're making a great deal of progress." " Thanks to you." " Really?" "It's funny how valmont doesn't play with cecile the way he plays with you." "Really?" "With you he was funny, attentive, jolly." "With cecile, you'd think she had the plague." "There isn't much love lost between them." "Really?" "Don't fret, this doesn't upset me, on the contrary." "Knowing the reputation of your nephew..." " i'm going for a dip in the pool." " Okay." "Tonight, you're going to sleep like a baby." "What's going on?" "Danceny hasn't called tonight?" "Good evening." "Hi." "Lie down on the bed while you're waiting for your phone call." "I'm going for a walk in the park." "We don't want anyone to know you're here." "Danceny didn't call, i'm going to leave now." "Didn't call?" "That's not very nice." "If you were my girlfriend... i'd be calling you ten, twenty, thirty times a day." " He wasn't able to call." " Well, he's not very clever is he, then?" " I'm going to scream." " Go on." "You don't need to warn me." " I'm going to scream now." " Go on, scream." "Explain afterwards what you were doing... at 1:00 a.m. In my room." "Don't you think that people are going to have a hard time believing... that i forced you to come?" "I'll let you go if you give me one little kiss." " No." " A kiss!" "Only a kiss." "Okay, now i can leave?" "No." "We made a deal." "You can go, if you give me a kiss." "I kissed you." "No, you didn't." "I kissed you." "You kiss me now." "Kiss me." "A real kiss." "And then i can go?" "Yes." "I'm so ashamed." "You're beautiful." "I hate myself because of you." "See you later, then." "Never again." "Never again." "Till tonight, my love." "Cecile!" "Cecile!" "Come on, spit them out." "With this relaxant you'll have another few hours of peace." "She won't have the energy to try again." "But... afterwards?" "You must speak with her." "Find out what pushed her to commit this desperate act." "She won't talk." "She's a bit afraid of me." "She must have a confidant." "I don't understand, she won't tell me anything." "She trusts you, perhaps she'll speak to you." "I'm not sure, young girls are so secretive." "At least i can try." "Cecile!" "Cecile!" "I'm going." "Cecile, what is the matter?" "Your grandmother tells me you cry all the time." "You can't bear to be away from danceny?" "If only it was that." "What is it, then?" "I did something so terrible." "Whatever it is, you can tell me." "I'm your friend, aren't i?" "I went to bed with valmont." "Oh my goodness, you didn't!" "I just want to kill myself." "You are not going to do anything of the kind." "Thank you." "Thank you, mireille." "I shall be very happy here." "Cecile picked the perfect moment for a breakdown... i needed time off." "However, there is only one slight problem." "Pardon?" "You're bound to bump into valmont." "I'm sorry, but he's staying with rosemonde." "I know that you're really angry with him." "No, not angry, let's say that i loathe him." "Can you bear seeing him?" "He tried desperately to seduce me and i rejected him." "It's he who is humiliated, not me." "It's he who will feel bad." "Not me." "Anyway, i'll manage." "What's important is the health and spirits of our little cecile." "What did you use for your attempt?" "Grandma's pills." "That would never have worked!" "Really?" "On the other hand... these are effective." "Take this." "Yes, it's true." "If you try again, at least succeed." "You shouldn't perform hara-kiri with a butter knife." "If you're here, i won't try again." "I'm happy that you are with us." "That would never have worked." "It's a placebo." "It wouldn't even kill an old fly." "Don't worry." "Relax." "Absolutely astounding." "She fears me as much as she wants me." "I inspire in her something terrifying." "Look how the cockerel throws out his chest." "She's as obsessed with me as i am with her." "I've never had so much pleasure lingering over the chase." "Who are you talking about?" "Marie tourvel." "For once, i'm in agreement with the bigots of this world." "Virtue raises the price on a woman." "Once she's fallen, she'll be no more than ordinary." "What about cecile?" "Study in duplicity, that cecile." "She says no to everything... but she does it anyway." "She's very highly sexed." "So you weren't just going through the motions." "You have to be stupid like danceny to be in love with her... but she serves as a perfect distraction." "You've seen her lately?" "Stupid idiot, she simply can't bear to be near me." "I'm living proof that she's fallen." "You must carry on regardless... it would be good for her to get pregnant." "It's over to you." "Now, tell me everything." "He forced you?" "Was he disagreeable?" "You only did it the one time?" "I don't know how it could've happened." "I didn't even defend myself." "Which means you probably wanted it." "I got pleasure but it wasn't love." "You wanted to make love with danceny." "Only danceny wasn't there." "I want you to stop crying." "Valmont taught you nearly everything you wanted to know... like every young girl." "I can't see the harm in it." "Everything went all right." "You should be proud of yourself, not upset." "I'm ashamed." "Love comes with shame as well as pain." "But it's only momentary." "After, only pleasure remains." "Really?" "And i think that valmont's an excellent choice." "He's a lover of no consequence." "A passing fancy, he's available." "Experienced, but not sentimental." "To be frank if you'd asked my opinion, i would have recommended it." "You should see him again." "No, i can't." "Danceny is going to call you every night around 12:00." "If you don't take his calls, he'll start to doubt himself." "He'll start to worry." "You still have so much more to learn with valmont." "You'll see he's so gifted." "Go ahead!" "Do you know which is a woman's most remarkable feature?" "Her neck?" "No." "Her hands?" "No." "The length of her skirt?" "No." "Dancing." "There comes a day when your age really shows." "The day that you don't care anymore about learning the latest dance." "I've gone from the waltz to the tango." "I even learned rock." "But now, with the twist... i give up." "I realized that i was old." "Have you heard from your husband?" "Oh yes, always the same." "No news then." "You could say that." "I admire the way he trusts you... and himself." "To leave you alone for so long and still claim to be your husband." "His assignment in africa is terribly important." "Maybe, but... did he realize what a beautiful and desirable wife you were... when he imposed this life on you?" "When i married him, i knew i wouldn't see him much." "You seem more like a widow than a wife." "No, i'm sorry." "I've hurt your feelings." "It's just that i'm so jealous." "Horribly jealous." "I envy him." "I wish i were he." "Perhaps he deserves you more, but... i can't help but envy him." "Excuse me... i've no right to make such a scene." " No, you don't." " I'm sorry." "What counts is your happiness." "You're happy, aren't you?" "It's so obvious that you are happy." "I'd better go." "So that's marie tourvel." "The tricky one who takes up all your time." "Yes." "She looks prudish." "She's not at all." "She's blazing ice." "She won't hold out much longer." "Do it!" "I hate failure." "Picked one out yet?" "Just looking." "Pretty things." "Anything tempting?" "No, too easy." "They're all ready to do anything." "Who cares how easy it is, as long as it's pleasurable." "It's pleasure that dominates you, not the other way round, valmont." "I can read you like a book, you hide nothing." "And you end up with the reputation you deserve:" "That of a libertine." "I'm perceived as a cold woman with principles." "I've never understood why you've gone to such great lengths." "Only one thing i can call mine:" "My thoughts." "From the age of fifteen, i've worked to render them impenetrable." "I control everything." "I hide everything." "I fake it all... even pleasure." "Why?" "My thoughts are for me alone." "I only reveal what it's useful to disclose." "The world's a circus, valmont, a great circus." "It's all about self-knowledge and knowing who the others are." "Why?" "For the power." "Power over ourselves and over others." "Power's unattainable." "No, you're wrong." "We take it, and keep it." "It is pleasure that is unattainable." "I love it when you stand up to me." "Then you'll love me forever." "The little volanges girl has been deflowered." " It's time for my reward." " Later." "Well, a down payment." "First i want you to get her pregnant." "As good as done." "Down payment?" "When you've seduced marie tourvel." "For the moment she's stringing you along." "Promise?" "Promise." "Come and dance." "We're not supposed to get along, remember?" "Dance with marie tourvel." "A woman without a husband always loves to be invited to dance." "I need this woman to save me the embarrassment of being in love." "Are you alone?" "Yes." "And i intend to stay that way." "All right, young lady, back to your lessons." " Danceny's going to call." " So what?" "Hello?" "Yes, she is here." "She's very tired... and not very well." "But she managed to make it." "Maybe she's in love." "Don't worry." "I'm looking after her as if i were you." "In fact, i think i'm going to replace you." "Here she is." "Hi!" "I miss you so much... and the music we make together." "No, don't worry." "No." "I'm okay, just extremely tired." "I'm only dreaming of one thing and that's to get to bed." "Valmont?" "Valmont is very kind." "Yes, he's taking good care of me." "Big kiss." "Right." "Now i want the list." "List of what?" "The list of things a man says to a woman." " I want the words." " You can't list things like that." "Yes, you can." "You should say them to your husband." " No." " I want the names." "I want the names in latin." "Are you ill, sweetie?" "Have you seen your face?" "It looks like you cried all night." "Cecile has a secret." "Yes." "She followed my suggestion last night." "That's why she didn't get a wink." "She read the romance novel that i loaned her." "It had the same effect on her as me." "That's why she's exhausted." " Right, cecile?" " Yes." "I'd like to read this romance novel." "Can you loan it to me tonight?" "Isabelle, i'm no fool." "I know that you lied to protect cecile." "It's my fault." "I've been too strict with her." "I tried to impose an old-fashioned upbringing on her." "She should lead her own life!" "If she marries danceny, so what?" "Gercourt is spending the day here tomorrow." "I'll tell him the truth." " Gercourt is joining us tomorrow?" " Yes." "Poor cecile... since i told her she couldn't have danceny she's been a complete wreck." "She's been crying all night." "Well, you saw that." "Well, obviously, i was wrong." "I really must have underestimated her feelings for him." "She should live the life she wants, marry danceny... and too bad for gercourt." "He's old enough to handle it." "But danceny hasn't got any money." "Cecile is worth a fortune, she wouldn't need danceny's money even if he had any." "You're absolutely right... about why cecile is moping." "But i truly don't think you should give way." "Why?" "Danceny's already got someone else." "What?" " Does cecile know?" " No." " I'm keeping it from her." " We have to tell her, and quickly." "No." "Imagine what she'll be like when gercourt gets here." "She'll be nice to him, won't she?" "He hasn't cheated on her." "No, she should feel a bit guilty, at least." "She'll be even nicer if she still has a bad conscience." "Remember how nice you were to your husband... when you were coming straight from your lover." "Good night, marie." "I'm off to bed." "Good night." "You look tired." " Tonight?" " No, i mean in general." "I feel like you're avoiding me." "You noticed?" "Then it's true!" "Is it?" " Is there something wrong?" " Yes." "We're friends." "Friendship is not my sort of thing." "Not with you." "I can't sleep." "I spend all night awake thinking of you." "In my thoughts... only questions." "All night, i ask myself:" ""Why isn't she here with me?" ""I love her and i know she loves me." ""Why?"" "How can you say that?" "You told me so yourself." "Your eyes." "Your smile." "Your attention." "The fact that you tolerate my love." "And how come you never left when i broke my word and came back?" "I should have left." "But you didn't." "Just look at me." "Look me in the eye to prove... i'm not fooling myself when i dare believe in your love." "Please don't make me do this." "I can't do this." "We can't do this." "Please." "Good night, then." "Thank you." "It's because i love you." "I know that now." "Now, she's hooked." "Ten to midnight." "She's lying down." "Now, i have my class in debauchery." "Good evening!" " You're looking very pleased with yourself." " I should be." "Marie tourvel fell into my arms last night." " So it's done?" " No, i let her go." "Because she stirred something in me." "Really?" "In actual fact, i had a rendezvous with cecile." "She'll be mine tonight." "And after tomorrow... i'll get my reward." "You." "I'm not upset about ending things with cecile." "My life is hell!" "I long for one woman and i'm sleeping with another." "Cecile has become a real little brat in bed these days." "I have nothing more to teach her." "And i feel like she's using me as a sexual toy!" "Poor valmont!" "I'm worried, i still haven't had my period." "These things happen." "Yes, but it's worrying it's happening now." "What?" "You don't mean to tell me you're pregnant?" "You took precautions, didn't you?" "Yes, i hope, valmont... valmont promised me that he's always been careful." "Oh well, in that case." "It's easy, you simply take a test." "We could do it right away." "Gercourt's arriving this afternoon." "I will take care of it." "Take care of gercourt, just like nothing's wrong... be nice to him and i'll take care of the rest." "Miss volanges didn't come with you?" "She couldn't come." "I'll take her the results of the test." " I can't hand them over to anyone but her." " But i'm her godmother." "Client confidentiality." "Come back with her." "Cecile won't come back." "She's terrified." "Those are the rules." "She must come." "She simply can't." "She's so scared of not being pregnant, she wants a baby so badly." "If she weren't pregnant, she might do something stupid." "Well, in that case... she need have no fear of coming to see me." "Thank you." "Antoine!" "What a pleasure!" "Isabelle!" "You look marvelous." "You can't pay compliments to a lady, you're almost a married man." "We often talk about you." "But you exist more in our minds than in flesh." " That sounds like a reproach." " Yes." "And one that i make, because cecile would never dare." "We've become friends, cecile and i." "I stand up for my friend cecile against my friend gercourt... and i say, we don't see you enough." "We miss you... no need to worry the test is negative." "My dear... i must leave now." "I have to get back to paris." "Already?" "Please stay a while." "I was here when i was needed." "I took care of cecile during your absence but now that you're back... i'll leave you lovebirds in peace." "Yes?" "Come in." "Isabelle, i must tell you... thank you?" "No, don't bother." "No, i must tell you how i admire you." " We were once close and..." " close?" "No." "In love." "And yet, you're not jealous, you help me with cecile, you... you encourage her to wait for me." "I admire that." "The elegance of desperation, perhaps." "No, don't worry." "I still have feelings for you... but i learned to control them." " Do you know what would make me happy?" " No." "I mean, really happy." "Say it!" " No, i shouldn't..." " yes!" "I'd like to be godmother to your first child." "Absolutely." "With pleasure." "Really?" "I promise you i'll see to it." "Other women won't be jealous?" "We don't care." "In any case, you have priority." " I'm so happy." " Me, too." "And if the family kicks up a fuss... we'll make up to them with the next child." "I want a whole football team." "I think you'll have only one." "I don't understand." "What a waste." "I shouldn't have told you." "No, you were right to." "I shouldn't have shattered your illusions." "I felt on the phone that cecile had changed." "I had the feeling that i was boring her sometimes." "One or two nights, she didn't even bother to pick up." " I should have guessed." " Well, you couldn't." "Everybody thought that gercourt was the big danger." "And him not being there." "Who could have imagined a water-skiing instructor!" "I want you to promise me something." "Not to call her." "I won't let you make a fool of yourself." "Do you understand?" "Perfectly." "Cecile, who i took for an angel..." " with..." " a water-skiing instructor!" "You should've seen this playboy with his tan like a plastic handbag... and just as cheap." "Excuse me." "The poor boy's in pain!" "Pardon, madame." "I didn't hear you." " I said another alexandra, please." " Certainly, madame." "Marie?" "Marie?" "Where's marie?" " She left this afternoon, my darling." " She left?" "You could call it that conceivably." "I'm astounded." "She didn't warn me." "She didn't say goodbye." "It's so unlike her." "It's true, she wasn't herself today." "I was under the impression she was running away rather than leaving." "I even have a vague idea what she was running away from." "Me." "Worse." "Her conscience." "My lovely marie believes in marriage and fidelity." "With you, her faith's been severely put to the test." "My aunt, i assure you i've done nothing." "I know." "But she would have loathed you if you'd leapt on her." "As you didn't, she's completely attached to you." "Poor marie." "She's taken refuge at home in paris." "All alone to try to save at whatever cost... her idea of a happy marriage." "She must be suffering a lot." "She's suffering?" "You're incorrigible... pretending people don't suffer." "That proves that you have no principles." "One suffers from the very moment one's heart and one's mind... are in complete opposition." "I have principles... but they're all rotten." "What?" "She's gone too?" "Why?" "Someone other than madame de merteuil has left?" " Yes, marie tourvel." " Okay... but i can't get either madame de merteuil... or cecile, she's having a romantic dinner with gercourt." "Thank you, good evening." "My dear friend valmont!" "Let me introduce you to my wife, samantha." "Madame number eight, according to my calculations." "Pleased to meet you." "What are you doing at this old dive?" "I'm cheating on boredom." "With me?" "You know i've been chasing you all these years!" " You chase a long time." " You're a fast runner." "Adieu." "I'm going back to my favorite enemies... women!" ""Dear edouard, i needed to come home." ""I miss you so much." ""Please come home soon."" "You ran away." "Was it from me?" "Are you going to keep running away?" "I have to." "I'm in anguish." "So am i." "So anguish brings us together?" "It's better that way." "To suffer separately than to be happy together?" "If that's the way you want it... we shall have to part." "For longer than you imagine." "I'm going to china for two years." "China?" "Paris match wants me to do this picture story in china." "Until now... i've said no... but this morning i accepted." "You didn't." "I leave on thursday." "You want me to be unhappy." "No, i want you to be happy." "No, you don't want my happiness." "But it doesn't matter... i want yours." "You need peace of mind to be happy." "I've disturbed you." "I'm disturbing you now." "So... it's better if i disappear." "You've done something to me... that no woman has ever done before." "You can't imagine how much i love you." "You've given my life some meaning at last." "Whatever happens to me now... thanks to you... i've had that." "No, don't say that." "Marie, you have taught me one thing." "Love's got nothing to do with happiness." "My love for you demands... that i never see you again." "So be it." "This love... asks that i sacrifice my happiness for your own." "So be it." "I accept that." "All of it, for love." "For the only real gift... is love." "You must promise me one thing." "My sacrifice won't be for nothing." "Promise me... you'll be happy." "Promise." "Promise!" "Adieu, marie." "No." "Cancel your trip to china." "Do you know what you're saying?" " Won't you just stay with me?" " There's nothing i'd like to do more." "Do you love me?" "I love you." "True love... lasting love?" "Eternal love... my love." " Cancel your trip to china, then." " What about your husband?" "I'll get a divorce." "Call them." "Go!" "Hello, paris match?" "Would you put me through to mr." "Theron, please." "Oh, he's not there?" "Could you say that... valmont called... and that he won't be going to china." "Can you hear me?" "Valmont is not going to china any more." "V-a-l-m-o-n-t." "At last." "What a woman!" "Pardon?" "She's like no one i've ever met." "She'd almost have me believing in love." "Who do you mean?" "Marie tourvel... who i have just left after one night... and one whole day of passion." " You have been drinking?" " Yes." "I'm completely drunk." "I was nearly very sincere... and i swore to love eternally." "You're in love." "No." "Yes." "You love this woman." "It's an accident you'd better be aware of." "Dare i say that i'm feeling a little more satisfied than ordinarily." "My joy is proportional to the amount of hard work i've put into it." "I think you've been had by this marie tourvel." "The tables are turned." "Poor valmont." " I think you're making fun of me." " I am, as usual." " Shall we go out?" " It's just that... i'd really like to go out for a drink in a place where there's music." " I'd love that." " But i have to get back to marie." "Why do that?" "I made a promise." "Now that it's done... you're not obliged to keep your promises." "I get it, you want her to fall even harder for you." "That's right." "There is such refinement in your cruelty." "You're an artist." "A leopard can't change his spots." "You won't be angry!" "No, since it's not for a good cause." "Do you know where i can find raphael danceny?" " He's in the rehearsal room upstairs." " Thank you." "Raphael!" "I've called so many times." "And every time i feel like you hang up because you hear my voice." "What's my crime exactly?" "Can you tell me just that one thing?" "Please don't do this to me!" "I love you so much... i love this material." "Excuse me." "Cecile... he doesn't love me anymore." "I keep doing foolish things." " No!" " Yes!" "Sleeping with valmont... arguing with danceny... i can't imagine what idiotic thing i'll do next." "Marry gercourt!" "I'm not sure about anything anymore." "You can still be sure of one thing." "Gercourt has always treated you well." "That's true, but... but?" " I'm still in love with danceny." " So?" "If you marry gercourt, what's preventing you from being with danceny?" "As long as you make up with him." "Gercourt will be an ideal husband... for an indecisive woman." "Never there." "Practically always traveling." "Wrapped up in his business, never for a second doubting his own charm." "You'll be free!" "You'll do whatever you wish." "Trust me, marry gercourt." "I still haven't had my period." "So?" "That happens, especially at your age." "Listen, the test was negative." "Have faith in me." "Stop worrying about everything." "Tell me about your wedding dress." "It's skin-colored with lace." "Bravo." "I admire you." "I'm admired by many... but never loved." "If you want to be loved, be more loveable." "Pardon?" "It's true, danceny." "You're serious, far too serious." "Great music." "Great love." "It all has to be great with you." "That's frightening." "These women prefer the little things in life." "I often think i'm boring." "No, you're not boring." "You're impressive." "Is there a cure for it?" "Be a little more frivolous... more fickle, more flippant." "You haven't answered me." "Is there a cure?" "Yes." "With an experienced teacher." "Would you teach me?" "No more students for me." "Please." "Well, why not?" "Why did you want to leave paris in such a hurry?" "I don't know." "I wanted to protect us." "From what?" "The world." "Your husband." "Your past?" "Rosemonde, you haven't received any news either?" "I'm the last person on earth to worry about where valmont is... but someone at the foundation is after him to do some photos." "If you have any news, you let me know?" "And what about that lovely what's-her-name, marie... yes, marie tourvel." "No." "Talk to you soon, rosemonde." " Thanks for coming." " Thank you." "Good evening." "Good evening." "You look pretty." "Good evening." "At last, i get to attend your engagement party." "Not in the role i would have wished, but never mind." "Is it everything cecile and you dreamed of?" "I shall be eternally grateful to you, my dear isabelle." "Yes, you've been just perfect." "I thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart." "Don't mention it... the pleasure was all mine." "Why such a long face?" "I don't feel very well." "I put on weight." "I'm irritable." "Is this to do with danceny?" "He never called me back." "As if i never existed." "Did you try to speak to him about me?" "I spoke to him, but... he was very quiet." "Asked me politely never to raise the subject with him again." "How is that possible?" "Could he have known?" "What?" "Valmont." "But how?" "Only three people knew about it... you, me... and valmont." "Him and his big mouth." "No, that is not possible." "That'd be going too far." "He's completely capable of it." "Cecile, you're looking very pale." "Cecile!" "Quick, a doctor!" "Somebody call a doctor!" " Oh, my poor dear." " Please help me." "I don't understand what's wrong with her!" "I don't understand what's wrong with her!" "Is it something she ate?" " I take it you're the family?" " Yes!" "I'm very sorry but i'm afraid she lost the child." "But there is nothing to worry about, she's fine." "A miscarriage is actually very healthy." "Mother nature is a very clever bird." "This means that she already knew the child wouldn't survive." "Thank you." "Antoine, you might have told us you had not respected the marriage date." "I noticed cecile had gained weight, but if i'd known... i'd have told her to see a gynecologist." "This isn't a good start to your marriage." "I would never have thought that of you." "I've never slept with cecile." "It must be the Immaculate conception." "I have never slept with cecile." "Coward, he won't admit to his sins." "Might as well say cecile's a tramp." "But she is a tramp." " Why don't you ask her then?" " That's exactly what i'm going to do." "And you'd better watch out." "I'll be believing her, not you." "Cecile, my dear... i want a straight answer." "I won't be upset." "Is antoine the father?" "No." "Then who is?" "I want to know at once." "Danceny?" "Who's danceny?" "It's danceny, isn't it?" "A violinist without a penny to his name... he'll pay for this." "I'll sue him, i'll have him put in prison!" "It wasn't danceny." "What?" "There's someone else?" "There's another one?" "Who?" "Valmont." "Valmont." "That swine." "That scoundrel!" "I knew it!" "He's not a man." "He's the devil." "I'll kill him." "I'll kill him!" "Oh, antoine... i didn't know." "I'm so sorry." "What's happening to me, isabelle?" "What have i done to deserve this?" "Hey, you've done nothing, you're not punished." "There's no god, no devil, no fate." "There are just sometimes... dangerous liaisons." "I think i'll go and take a shower." "I'll take the horses back and join you." "See you at 10:00 tomorrow." " Aye, sir." " Thank you." "Bad timing, or are you happy to see me?" "Happy, of course." "I don't believe you." "Still under the illusion that you don't feel some attachment to marie tourvel?" "Well, this is love or love never existed." "You're mad." "Your acts speak louder than your words and they betray you." "You're taking her away, protecting her... but you're betraying us." "She's wanted to come here for a long time." "Liar!" "You planned this trip." "Should i ask her?" "This marie tourvel is a small, very ordinary person." "It's your feelings that give her beauty." "You're in love, valmont." "It's not possible." "But you are." "There's no way i'm in love." "Prove it." "I don't follow." "Make her suffer." "No, but i can disappear abruptly." "No, that's too easy... you will cheat on her." "Cheat on her, but with who?" "Just you wait and see." " Remember emily?" " Emily?" "It so happens that she's staying in our hotel." "I'm at the collins manor with danceny." " Danceny?" " Yes!" "He's my new lover, you hadn't heard?" "Don't let me down." "So, the sea air doesn't suit you." "There." "Yes, oh, there." "Farewell, valmont." "Marie... we've got to talk." "Please open the door." "I have to talk to you." "Marie!" "Tell madame de merteuil she has a visitor." "Yes, sir." "I'm with danceny." "What do you want?" "Danceny." "Danceny is of no more consequence than marie tourvel." "What counts... is me and you, right?" "My end of the deal is done." "I've betrayed marie tourvel... she's beside herself weeping." "She won't let me in." "Are you satisfied?" "If you are." "Be happy, valmont!" "You've won!" "You're free again." "At what cost?" " Don't break my heart." " Now... i want my reward." " And you shall have it." " No." "This evening." "Tonight!" "Don't be ridiculous." "My dear isabelle... you gave me your word." "Don't glare at me like that." "You don't want me tonight; you hate me." "We made a deal." "And you are bloody well going to honor it." "Desire, i'll honor." "Anger, i bloody well will not." "I'm not coming second to marie tourvel or, still less to emily." "I'm not third choice." "You're the one that i want." "I did all this for you." "I could make you happy." "Look how sure of himself he is!" "Well, i am, too." "Give me one good reason why i should give in to blackmail." "I'm waiting." "Think." "Don't you remember?" "That night we were together... you told me... that you'd never had better." "I rather think that you hatched this separation pact... because it was too good." "You were hooked." "Deny it." "It's true." "But in those days, i mattered to you." "In those days, you would have asked my permission!" "marie... give me a chance to explain, then throw me out." "Please let me talk to you first." "Emily... is one of my old girlfriends." "I told you about my past." "That's why i wanted to come here." "To get away from all that." "Hoping that i could... get away from all that." " You could have avoided her." " I did avoid her!" "You slept with her in the stables." "Is that your idea of fidelity?" "Emily wanted to sleep with me." "When i told her i wouldn't... she went totally mad." " So what?" " So what!" "She was going to wait for you in the house." "She was going to make a scandal." "I tried to calm her down." "That was my mistake." "I thought... i could get out of it." "Yes, i'm guilty... but i'm only guilty... of using the wrong tactics." "I don't know." "Maybe you're lying." "I want to believe you." "Please believe me." "Believe me, i beg you." "We can be happy like before." "Yesterday, i lost everything... it was my own fault." "Today i can get it all back, with your help." "It's up to you, and only you." "Our future... our happiness is in your hands." "I love you." "I love you." "Yes." "Yes." "Bravo." "Begs the question why you chose the violin." "Even as a boy, i was too tall to be a jockey." "Violin... horses... strange upbringing for a poor child." "I'm not a poor child." "My parents were rich, but they lost everything." "Darn." "I don't believe it." "What a surprise!" "Isabelle." "Marie tourvel, raphael danceny." "Hello." "Could you help me?" "You're not the only one who has smart holiday ideas." "Nor the only one who hides their loves." "Come, marie." "Are you okay?" "You didn't get hurt, i hope?" "No." "More scared than hurt." "Thank you." "Let's not stay with them." "You know... she doesn't scare me." "She hates you." "Really?" "Yes." "Everyone says so." "And it shows a bit." "Be careful, marie." "Watch out." ""Be careful, marie." "Watch out."" " When are you two getting married?" " Sorry?" "How many children do you want?" "Six, ten?" "Let the good lord decide." "Send me a picture of their first communion." "Don't be ridiculous." "I'm trying to have a holiday here." "Ridiculous?" "Look who's talking." "I've caught you red-handed in fidelity." "You think i'm that naive?" "Go." "I've hurt her before, i'll hurt her again." "You're lying to yourself..." " you're in love with this woman." " No." "You're losing you." "You're nothing like the valmont of old... proud and independent, free." "A real player." "This woman will end up making you look common." "Is marie tourvel your future?" "No." "Love will be your undoing." "I don't know how to get out of it." " When are you leaving for paris?" " In two days." " In two days, it will be done." " Good." "I don't know how i'm going to do it." "She forgave me emily... she'll forgive me anything." "She loves me." "I've got a recipe for you." "You be marie, and i'll be valmont." "Every time she says something... all he says is, "it's not my fault."" "I don't get it." "The fact is, marie... words don't have the same meaning for you and me." "It's not my fault." "How can you be saying that?" "I say it because i'm a man... and you're just a woman." "It's not my fault." "So you just decide one day that everything's over between us." "Yes, marie." "I betrayed you with emily." "I'll betray you again and again." "It's not my fault." "But i love you." "You may love me." "But i don't love you any more." "You're passionate while i am cold." "It's not my fault." "Valmont, you can't do that." "But yes, i'm doing it, marie." "I don't feel anything for you." "What once was, is no more." "It's not my fault." "And if i kill myself?" "You'd make an ordinary situation tragic... it would be a mistake." "It would be your fault." "I'm cold!" "You're cold?" "It's not my fault!" "I don't like coming here." "Everything reminds me of my husband." "Suppose i go to your place?" "While i'm waiting." "Waiting?" "For my divorce." "I'll wait for my divorce." "This is where you belong, marie." "This is where it all has to end." "It's not my fault." "I betrayed you with emily." "I'll betray you again." "It's not my fault." "Men are unfaithful... and women are obstinate." "It's not my fault." "Find another boyfriend quick." "That's my advice to you." "If you don't like him... it's not my fault." "Goodbye, marie." "I had fun being with you... and i'll have fun... being without you." "That's how it is." "I would have preferred to leave you without hurting your feelings, but... it's impossible." "It's not my fault." "Please, don't go." "No." "Don't." "Good evening." "Good evening." "This couldn't wait?" "I couldn't wait any longer." "Come in." "I realize now how wrong i was... when i left you, so long ago." "I also realize how wrong i was... with cecile." "But it's not your fault!" "And i thought we were such good friends." "Even i had no idea." "Anyway... forget about cecile." "Or rather, bravo, cecile, thank you, cecile!" "It is cecile that made me realize... that there has always been... one woman... looking out for me." "So... i want... i would like you to have this." "But why?" "A symbol of repentance and tenderness." "This is too much!" "Well, then... as a symbol of my love." "Isabelle... will you marry me?" "Marry you?" "I have been waiting so long to hear those words!" "When we met in new york a couple of months ago... i was hoping you would ask." "I can't." "It's too late." "But why?" "I'm not available." "Of course." "It's only natural." "Raphael!" " Oh, sorry." " I'll be right back." "I'm just taking care of some foundation business." "All right." "That's him?" "It's too late, antoine." "I don't understand." "No... i don't understand... but women want the same thing as men, antoine!" "We prefer them young." "You preferred cecile." "I prefer raphael." "At last." "It's smoky." "You certainly took your time." "I was entertained by danceny." "Danceny." "It's time to dispense with danceny." "In my own good time." "No, right now." "It's over." "As per your instructions, all very efficient, no comeback." "So right now, we get rid of danceny, and we spend the night together." "Do you know why i never remarried?" "Aside from the fact that i found it very seductive to pass for a widow." "So that no one would ever speak to me again in that tone of voice." " Mine?" " Yes, yours." "Stop talking like a husband!" "I'm free, i intend to stay that way." "I am simply asking you... to push danceny aside and make room for me." "But first you must make me want you... which you are failing to do so far." "You don't impress me and you can't please me." "I want to get back together." "Back together?" "With the valmont i once knew." "I'd love to, but he's nowhere in sight." "If you find him again, tell him he'll always be welcome." "Stop all this play-acting." "We made a bargain... and you'll stick to it." "I deflowered the little volanges girl... i totally ridiculed gercourt." "I sacrificed marie tourvel." "So right now, you'll stick to your promise." "My poor valmont, you were in love with marie tourvel and you still love her." "But you sacrificed her to your vanity." "To manipulate you, i used only one thing:" "Your vanity." "Your male pride that wants to dominate everything." "What a joke!" "I hate marie tourvel." "I hate her conjugal bliss, her romance and flowers... when i realized you preferred her... and treasured every moment you spent with her... i decided to reap my revenge." "There's no going back, you know." "Your marie is as good as dead." "When a woman strikes at another's heart, the blow is fatal." "We have an agreement." "Will we respect it?" "How dare you ask!" "So, from this moment onwards... i remain either your ally... or your enemy." "Our deal." "I want an answer." "Yes... or no?" "No." "So then it's war." "It's war." " I need to talk to you." " I'm not in the mood." "Listen, please!" "Are you angry with me?" "I'm angry with myself." "And i'm very sad, i haven't had one word from danceny." "I can't help thinking it's all your fault." "My fault?" "I'm sure you told him you'd gone to bed with me." "I swear to you i did not." "Then you told someone who repeated it to him." "Cecile, i did not tell anyone." "Please, don't take me for an idiot." "Who knew about us?" " You, me and madame de merteuil." " Right." "If it wasn't you... and if it wasn't me... then who is left?" "Isabelle?" "For what reason?" "The same reason as always." "Jealousy." "Aren't i a fool!" " It's another one of your tricks, isn't it?" " What is?" "Standing up there watching." "Just one more way of getting me up there." "I promise you, it isn't." "If you don't believe me, come." "Come and have a look at this." "You just want to get me in bed again." "You'll see." "Come on." "Excuse me." "Hello?" "Hello, auntie." "Did you have a nice trip?" "I'll explain to you." "Well, let's meet tomorrow... at the foundation, all right?" "Goodbye." "Come." "Foundation for the arts" "auntie!" " I don't understand, why am i doing this?" " Trust me." "Trusting you is my problem." "So listen... the treasurer is waiting for you." "Her name is madame leclerc." "Do exactly what i told you, all right?" "Do you think i am a complete fool?" "Valmont?" "I have a message for you." "What?" "That's all?" "Yes." "That's all." " What does it mean?" " What?" "You don't understand?" "It means cecile is still alive." "Even though she almost died." "Died?" "You didn't know?" " No." " Isabelle never told you?" "How could she... hide a thing like that from you?" "Come and see me tonight, 10:00." "Here." "It's my favorite new club." "I don't want isabelle to see us here together." "I've nothing to hide from isabelle." "You, maybe not." "I certainly do." "I completely understand, madame." "And our foundation has a particular need for generosity such as yours at the moment." "I do so love music." "Well it's quite simple, i'll write you a check." "We'll set up a transfer." "We prefer to." "And benefactors such as yourself may have no next of kin." "Oh, i'll consider it." "Farewell, madame leclerc." "Valmont doesn't love me anymore." "He never loved me." "You must forget him, marie." "But i can't!" "You must!" "Everything is so extreme with my nephew." "Happiness and sadness." "Man enjoys the pleasure he feels, woman enjoys that which she gives." "Love has no escape!" "Why can't i just die right now?" "Why do i want him so badly?" "Marie, i know you're in there." "Marie, let me in!" "I told you i'd be here." "Just in the nick of time." "The train leaves in five minutes." "You were right, you know." "Madame leclerc asked me to make a direct transfer..." " into some offshore bank." " That doesn't surprise me." "Tell me... you, with your good memory." "When isabelle's husband died, was he rich?" "I heard so many conflicting stories at the time." "Some said rich, others said ruined." "People are such gossips!" "Given the luxury that his widow enjoys..." " i would suspect that he was rich!" " I love you, auntie!" "If i didn't have you, i'd have to invent you!" "You know very well i've always had a soft spot for you." "What peculiar lack of taste." "Everyone keeps telling you what a cad i am." "I have never criticized you." "But i've mulled over that thing you asked me to do for you this afternoon." "Take care valmont, watch your back." "Don't attack the merteuil woman." "You both come from the same breed." "You are twins, or worse, siamese twins!" " Auntie, you're talking nonsense." " Don't take her on, valmont." "She will destroy you." "You're like siamese twins." "If you wound her, you'll bleed." "Cut off her head and you're dead." "The train to vintimille is departing... i'm sorry... you're not a member." " I'm meeting somebody." " Did you hear?" "Monsieur valmont." "It's all right, gerard, this gentleman's a friend of mine." "We're safe here." "Isabelle hates gambling." "Anything she can't control, actually." "Cecile got very sick... when she was in st." "Tropez." "She told you about it in your last conversation." "At first no one knew exactly what it was she had." "And what was it?" "It's a touchy subject." "I want to know." "She'll be absolutely furious with me for telling you..." " she would kill me." " Tell me!" "You must swear to never tell anyone." " I swear." " Never!" "Least of all her." "Now that she's better, she doesn't want to talk about it." "With you especially." " Me especially?" " Yes." "All bets are off." "I'm afraid she had... a sort of cancer." "She'll never be able to have children." " No!" " Yes." "It was a kind of tumor." "They managed to get rid of it." "And now she's better." "She was very brave... but she was very upset... that you never called." "Play!" "And by the way... where were you during all this time?" "Shagging isabelle." "Much more fun than looking after the woman you love, is that it?" "Isabelle never told me a thing." " You sure she even knows about it?" " Of course she knows... she was there when cecile got ill." " Didn't she tell you?" " Nine, red." "Bravo!" "You seem to be on a winning streak." " Congratulations, mr." "Valmont." " Thanks." "Try again." " Really?" " Go on." "What did she tell you anyway?" "Isabelle told me that cecile didn't want me any more." "She said she'd taken up with... with who?" "Madame de merteuil, this way please." "Bravo!" "Cecile... they're still applauding." "Go!" "After you." "My car's outside." "Go now, anywhere you want." "Go!" "Raphael!" "Danceny!" "Good evening." "Good evening." "Good evening, my beauty." "Who did he leave with?" "You're losing your cool, my darling." " But who did he leave with?" " Why should i tell you?" "It's war, right?" "Or do you want to negotiate a truce already?" " No." " I'm not stopping now, you know." "You can't hurt me that much." "Everyone has their achilles' heel." "You managed to find mine:" "Pride." "Well done." "And i... i found yours... respectability." "I have nothing to fear." "I already have a bad reputation." "But you?" "You are a prisoner." "A prisoner to your own image." " What are you planning to do?" " Destroy... all appearances." "But there is nothing as powerful as appearances!" "Appearances are like walls!" "A fortress!" " You could never reach me." " You think so?" "Try." "Spread whatever you want." "Secrets that only you know." "Nobody will believe you." "They will, however, believe me." "So, i was right." "I found your achilles' heel." "Carry on." "Waste your time." "It won't get you far." "Tell me something." "That bloody editor of yours... is he still interested in dishing the dirt on people?" "More than ever." "Why?" " What have you heard?" " Whispers, really... the foundation for the arts." "Forget it." "She's one of the great untouchables." "It seems... they take in a lot more income than they shell out." "But it's only a thought." "Nestor?" " Sir." " The usual, nestor." "Marie." "Please!" "I want to talk to you." "I've got to see you." "Marie." "Isabelle!" "How nice to see you." "You sound very cheerful." "And so i am." "You know me, isabelle... i'm not much of a mother, much less a grandmother." "I never wanted to bring up cecile." "But after the death of my son and my daughter-in-law... i took that responsibility." "And i want her to have a nice marriage." "Today i'm very happy because danceny and cecile..." " are back together again." " Are they?" "True love always wins through." "How do you know about it?" "Well, rosemonde called." "They've gone south." "Rosemonde saw them yesterday kissing and cuddling." " You don't seem happy about it." " Of course i am." "You were the one who told me how danceny was so brilliant." "So i did." "Cecile, why on earth have you kept this from me?" "I'm the first one to rejoice that you two are back together." "How did you find out?" "Rosemonde." "I'm so happy about the reconciliation." "Oh, really?" " I'm your friend, aren't i?" " No, i don't think so... if you're my friend, i'd better go join my enemies... as no one's hurt me more then you." "Me?" "You told danceny i didn't love him any more." "Maybe i was wrong." "But as you were sleeping with valmont and marrying gercourt... i had good reasons to believe i was right." "You told him i was seeing a water-skiing instructor?" "You would've preferred that i say valmont?" "A true friend wouldn't have said anything." "You'd rather have him call you during your miscarriage?" "You were busy with so many silly things... that it was better to keep danceny well away... and save him for a better time." "Keep him for yourself more like." "I didn't exactly rape him." "What do you expect to get out of this?" "Danceny." "It's absurd." "What do you plan to do with danceny?" "You can't possibly love him, you've no heart." "Call me tenacious." "Besides, he left me in a rather unpleasant way." "I resent that." "In fact, you want danceny because you don't love him." "You don't want me to have him." "We can say it like that." "You think i'll let you get away with it?" "You don't have what it takes!" "And you're going to leave?" "I've won, haven't i?" "You're stark raving mad." "Are you sure you told danceny everything?" "Absolutely." "He's a big boy." "He'll understand." "He made a mistake with you." "He'll understand that i've made some myself." "He'll understand, which implies he hasn't understood yet." "He has." "No, he hasn't, because nobody's yet told him the entire story." " I forbid you." " He doesn't know!" "I'll have fun telling him about you, valmont... the double game." "No, the triple game... and the miscarriage." "He loathes you." "He won't believe you." "My child, everyone ends up believing me." "He will never believe you." " Did you see madame de merteuil?" " Why would i?" " You promise?" " I promise." "What on earth is wrong with you?" "She was here." "She can't stand the fact that we're in love with each other... and she can't wait to tear us apart." "Take it easy." "It's not going to happen, ever." "You can't imagine what she's capable of." "Don't worry about her." " I don't want you to talk to her ever again." " Okay." " Do you swear?" " I swear." "Of course." "It's her!" "I'm sure it's her!" "A telegram for you!" "It's her!" "I'm sure that it's her!" " I'm sure it's her!" " You're mad!" "What if it isn't her?" "No one else knows that we're here." "No!" "Don't pick up!" "It's her." "Cecile, you're going too far!" "We're not going to live like this!" "Yes!" "And you will not leave me again!" "No." "You won't leave the house without me, okay?" "The front gate!" "I must shut it!" "Darling?" "Did you hear something?" "No." "It's her!" "I'm sure that it's her." "Cecile, that's enough." "Isabelle is a woman, not a demon." "Yes she is!" "But what are you afraid of?" "What could she tell me?" "I don't know what she's capable of." "Did you hear?" "That's enough!" "You're irritating me!" "No, don't look." "Don't look!" "Don't look!" "Don't look." "I don't understand." "It's the same paper." "A hospital bill in your name." "It doesn't matter." "I know that you were sick." " You know?" " Yes, i know." "Valmont told me." " You knew about it the whole time?" " Yes, my love." "I was crazy to be scared!" "You didn't say a word and you forgive me!" "Forgive?" "Forgive what?" "Cancer is not a shameful disease, as far as i know." " Wasn't it a cancer?" " Yes." "Yes!" "But i don't want to talk about it." "Okay?" "Never!" "You look troubled." "Now you're not so sure cecile hasn't got something to hide." "Whatever you say, i won't believe you." "Of course you're going to believe me." "You think cecile doesn't want me to tell you what i know." "During her stay here... cecile went over to rosemonde's every night as planned." "She'd take your calls in valmont's room... and then spend the rest of the night with him." "It's not true." "She was having such a good time she didn't take precautions... and got pregnant." "It's not true." "But mother nature... or her own regret wouldn't allow cecile to bring... a little valmont named gercourt into the world." " She had a miscarriage." " You're lying." "You saw the clinic bill in the pool this morning." " It's nothing but a web of lies." " That's right, nothing but lies." "Lies that are so grotesque that she's afraid you'll believe in them." "Odd, don't you think?" "I also lied to you... but i lied in the best of intentions." "When i learnt of this escapade, i preferred to tell you... that cecile was going distant because of... a fling with her water-skiing instructor." "It seemed less cruel than telling you the truth." "Was i so wrong?" "Well, go on, scream at me!" "I protected you from the truth and made you happy... while everyone else couldn't have cared less about you." " Isabelle." " Don't!" "I am not taking cecile's leftovers." "We'll talk about it once you've had it out with her." "But don't fool yourself." "You and i are finished." "Finished." "That's it." "It's all over." "I know all about it." "We are finished." "No." "Please." "I love you." "Forgive me." "No." "I love you!" "I don't care." "You are a whore and a liar." "No!" "Come back!" "I love you!" "Ah!" "Valmont!" "Just the man i wanted to see." "You were right on the money." " You checked it out?" " Yes." " No proof yet, just rumors." " What have you got?" "They arrested madame de merteuil this morning." " No." " Yes!" "The fraud squad." "They suspect her of some kind of tax racket." "They're searching the house now." " I'll call her right away." " No, are you mad?" " There are police all over the place." " How do you know all this?" "Sorry, but... i was with her last night." "She's been my mistress for fifteen years." "That makes me, in a way, like you..." " an accomplice." " I beg your pardon?" "Oh come on, don't mess around, madame leclerc." "Isabelle asked me to come here and tell you to destroy everything... and get out of here as quick as air france can take you." "Get out." "I don't know what you're talking about!" "You get out or i'll call the police." "Too bad, then." "You can't say i didn't warn you." "My intuition was correct." "Yes?" " I've come to see marie tourvel." " I'm her husband." "And you are?" "I'm the nephew of rosemonde... who marie went to stay with this summer, valmont." "Valmont, is it?" "You'd better come in." "She's not here?" "Have a seat." "How long since you saw marie?" "I don't know." "I was just passing by." "How well do you know her?" "Sorry?" "Well enough to know where she is?" "I don't understand." "She's disappeared." "I have no idea where she is." "She's disappeared?" "She didn't answer the phone last time i called." "I was in africa on business." "I got home two days ago... and found there was no one here." "Two days." "You've done nothing since then?" "I'm waiting." "I'm afraid she's run off with somebody else." "Oh, i don't think so." "I'm afraid she's committed suicide." "Suicide?" "Out of the question." "I think she has." "No one packs a suitcase before they commit suicide... or calls a taxi to go to the airport." "I only want your happiness, valmont... nothing but your happiness." "You have my permission to telephone me." "Marie?" "Yes, valmont." "I've come back, marie." "I've come back." "You did the right thing, canceling your trip to china." "Two years... two years separated from each other... i couldn't have borne it." "Marie." "I'm here." "No!" "Marie." " No!" " Marie, it's all right." "Stop it, marie!" "I'm going." "I'll be back." "Madame leclerc didn't disappear just like that!" "I assure you." "There's no answer at her house." "Well, try again." "So much energy... and nowhere to put it." "This may surprise you... but you're not being fair to cecile." " I'm not?" " No." "Look who's talking!" "She behaved rather badly, granted... basely, even." "You shouldn't forget, however, that someone was behind it all." "She wasn't alone." "Valmont... that's the one to go for." "He used me to get to cecile." "He pretended to be your friend." "He gets her pregnant... then he makes you believe that she has a tumor so you won't blame him." "Why would he do that?" "What has he got against you?" "I can't imagine." "Try." "Not only has he done these evil things... they seem to be directed at you." " You and him." "What's the story?" " There is no story." "He does horrible things to you... and you pretend not to notice." "You're covering up for him!" "Me?" "And taking it out on poor little cecile." "It's sick." "What are you up to?" "It's as if cecile was just an object." "A way of communicating between you." "Where is he?" "What are you going to do?" "Where is he?" "I know what you did to cecile." "You're a cad." "I know." "I'm a bastard!" "You lied to me so that i'd forgive cecile." "Why?" "I thought you'd defend her better." "I don't defend the indefensible." "I can't let this go." " Really?" " Yes!" "You can't get away with this much evil." "Take your revenge if you wish!" "But if you learn from my example... revenge is an overrated delicacy." "A poison." "I don't want revenge or to sue you." "I want to challenge you, fight you." "One no longer fights duels nowadays." "Unfortunately my dear danceny, you've got the wrong century." "I've a much better idea." "A challenge." "What i am about to tell you has nothing to do... with your challenge." "But there's something... you ought to know." "Sleeping with cecile... was a commission given to me by madame de merteuil." "You must be joking." "No, not at all... i wasn't in the least bit interested in poor cecile." "I was in love... with marie tourvel." "But why, then?" "There are some people who come together for the best." "With us... it was for the worst." "Pretty dangerous falling off a horse, don't you agree?" "Break your back and you're paralyzed... hit your head, you're dead." " All right?" " Agreed." " You're not afraid of a little action?" " Not at all." "I'll begin." "The saying goes... you wear your heart on your sleeve." "As far as you're concerned, my beauty... you don't." "However, my intuition was correct:" "You do have a weak spot after all... your pride." "To carry out your skill, you hid beneath the veil of respectability... bolstered by your high social standing... but that demands a certain amount of money." "Thanks to me, you will lose it all." "You bought your good reputation like you buy your dresses, my darling... without paying too much attention to the bill." "I'm going to make you look at the price for once." "Your treasurer was stealing from the foundation." "I'm not sure if you were party to it... you may even have been unaware of it." "But thanks to my efforts, here you are... ashamed, discredited, compromised." "The courts may have trouble reaching a verdict:" "Guilty or innocent... it's not important." "You are guilty of so many crimes." "No matter how many horrors are chalked up to your account... they'll still fall short of the mark." "And if you are not convicted, you'll have to pay... because the foundation was guaranteed by your own fortune." "In short, you're ruined, my dear... and soiled by suspicion." "That indelible stain will serve to distance everyone from you." "Penniless, alone and neglected... i hope you arrive to the same conclusion as i do in writing this." "Dying's almost a release." "We've wasted so much." "All this pain was created by our one dangerous liaison." "So much suffering would have been avoided with a little more thought." "You've lost." "I congratulate myself now... as i'm not sure i'll be alive to witness your downfall." "To bring about your ruin has brought me no consolation." "My proposal to be your friend or your foe... was all so meaningless." "Each individual is first the victim of himself." "Valmont." "Madame, we're waiting for you." "I'll have my revenge."