 Valmont gains access to Cécile's bedchamber on a false pretense, sexually assaults her, and blackmails her into sex as she pleads with him to leave.On the pretext of illness, Cécile remains locked in her chambers, refusing all visitors.A concerned Madame de Volanges calls upon Merteuil to speak to Cécile, who confides in her, naively assuming that Merteuil has her best interests at heart.