One or other of these feelings gave him importance in the eyes of history.

All the world was of his party except himself.
Impartial men did honour to his moderation, the revolutionists imputed shame to his character.

Mirabeau, who was seeking a pretender to personify the revolt, had had secret interviews with the Duc d'Orleans; had tested his ambition, to judge if it aspired to the throne.

He had left him dissatisfied; he had even betrayed his dissatisfaction by angry phrases.

Mirabeau required a conspirator; he had only found a patriot.
What he despised in the Duc d'Orleans was not the meditation of a crime, but the refusal to be his accomplice.