Voltaire writes that he has just witnessed the death of a friend of twenty years who was very fond of Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand. He notes that the cause of death was childbirth, addinf that the little girl who had been born did not interest him. Voltaire then discusses his despair, adding that when he arrives in Paris from Cirey he hopes to meet with Deffand and discuss their deceased friend.