Dangerous Liaisons

"Now, I'm not going to deny that I was aware of your beauty. 

But the point is, this has nothing to do with your beauty. As I got to know you, I began to realise that beauty was the least of your qualities.

 I became fascinated by your goodness. I was drawn in by it. I didn't understand what was happening to me. And it was only when I began to feel actual, physical pain every time you left the room that it finally dawned on me: I was in love, for the first time in my life.

 I knew it was hopeless, but that didn't matter to me. 

And it's not that I want to have you. All I want is to deserve you. Tell me what to do. Show me how to behave. I'll do anything you say."

Choderlos de Laclos. Dangerous Liaisons.