He had had sufficient prudence to give away in good time that which, undoubtedly, would have been taken away from him later on.
But when he gave willingly, at a time when France needed it most, and before she had learned how to help herself to what she wanted.
And somehow, in this instance, France had not forgotten: an invisible fortress seemed to surround Citizen Deroulede and keep his enemies at bay.

They were few, but they existed.

The National Convention trusted him.

"He was not dangerous" to them.

The people looked upon him as one of themselves, who gave whilst he had something to give.