Voltaire writes that George Keate had informed him that he might have the honour of seeing a very famous lady-captain before his death [D20765]. He adds that he longs after that pleasure and presents his respects to the said lady-captain. This lady-captain refers to the recipient, the chevalier d’Éon who often dressed as a woman when serving as a secret agent and, for a short while in 1760, was captain of dragoons.