Our heroine, a young woman living outside Marseille, is delighted to marry a young medical doctor from Montpellier. The doctor shows an interest in studying illnesses, especially how to prevent the spread of disease. Unfortunately, his abilities and our heroine's marriage are put to the test in June 1720 when the Great Plague of Marseille hits, killing almost fifty percent of the local population. This epistolary novella tracks the woes and dangers of living through an epidemic in early 18th century France using humor and emotion.