His life seemed that of a maniac; he loved the Revolution when in motion because it was akin to madness.

When yet very young he had sullied his name, ruined his fortune, and forfeited his honours by debauchery, women, and gaming.

At the Palais Royal and the neighbouring quartiers, the scene of every disorder, he possessed the infamous celebrity of scandal and shame.

All the world had heard of him; his family had procured his incarceration in the Bastille, from which the 14th of July had freed him.

He had sworn to be avenged, and he kept his oath; a voluntary and indefatigable accomplice of every faction, he had offered his unpaid services to the Duc d'Orleans, Mirabeau, Danton, Camille Desmoulins, the Girondists, and Robespierre: always an adherent of the party who went the greatest lengths; always a leader of those _emeutes_ that promised the most havoc and ruin.