The people believed him certainly on their side; the soldiery adored him; he detested anarchy, but flattered the demagogues.

He applied very skilfully to his popularity those able tactics which Favier had taught him.

He viewed the Revolution as an heroic intrigue.

He manoeuvred his patriotism as he would have manoeuvred his battalions on the field of battle.

He considered the coming war with much delight, knowing already all of a hero's part.