Dangerous Liaisons- Vicomte de Valmont and Cecile in Bed “A famous occasion, before you were born...”

Context- After much reluctance and resistance from Cecile, Valmont has succeeded in getting her to accept his advances. The two are now in bed, under the guise of Valmont deceitfully "educating" Cecile on the ways of lovemaking, to supposedly please her soon-to-be husband in their wedding bed...

Valmont: The first thing you must learn is that there is no necessity whatsoever for haste. (Reaches to caress Cecile) Now. As with every other science, the first principle is to make sure you call everything by its proper name.

Cecile: I don't see why you have to talk at all.

Valmont: Without the correct polite vocabulary, how can you indicate what you would like me to do, or make me an offer of something that I might find agreeable?

Ceclie: Surely you just...

Valmont: You see, if I do my work adequately, I would like to think you'll be able to surprise Monsieur de Bastide on his wedding night.

Ceclie: Would he be pleased?

Valmont: Well of course, he'll merely assume your mama has done her duty and fully briefed you. (Cecile bursts out laughing)

Cecile: Maman couldn't possibly talk about anything of the sort.

Valmont: I can't think why. She was, after all , at one time, one of the most notorious young women in Paris.

Cecile: Maman?

Valmont: Certainly. More noted for her enthusiasm than her ability, if I remember rightly. There was a famous occasion, oh, before you were born, this would have been, when she went to stay with the Comtesse de Beaulieu, who tactfully gave her a room between your father's, and that of a Monsieur de Vressac, who was her acknowledged lover at the time. Yet in spite of these careful arrangements, she contrived to spend the night with a third party.

Cecile: I can't believe that. It's just gossip.

Valmont: No, no, I assure you, it's true.

Cecile: How do you know? (Valmont looks down at her, a slow smile spreading)

Valmont: The third party was myself. (Cecile's jaw drops. For a moment, she stares at Valmont, appalled. Then she bursts out laughing, her laughter even more abandoned than before.)

Valmont: Well, we can return to this subject later, between intervals. (He caresses her thoughtfully)

Valmont: You asked me if Monsieur de Bastide would be pleased with your abilities; and the answer is that even if he isn't, I don't believe it would be difficult to find others that would. Education is never a waste. (He begins kissing her, his head travelling down her body. He plants a kiss on her stomach and looks up at her.)

Valmont: Now, I think we might begin with one or two Latin terms.