Voltaire and his niece, Marie Louise Mignot, had a close and affectionate relationship, but there is no evidence to suggest that Voltaire was in love with her. They maintained a lifelong correspondence and Voltaire referred to her as "my dear child" and "my little mouse." However, there is no indication of any romantic or sexual interest on Voltaire's part. Marie Louise Mignot was married and had a family, and Voltaire himself never expressed any romantic feelings towards her beyond the affection that a close relative would normally have.