 Merteuil advises Cécile to welcome Valmont's advances; she says young women should take advantage of all the lovers they can acquire, in a society so repressive and contemptuous of women.The result is a "student–teacher" relationship; by day, Cécile is courted by Danceny, and each night she receives a sexual "lesson" from Valmont.In the meantime, Merteuil begins an affair with Danceny.