The former dragoon was over forty years of age. He was small of stature,
and in no way resembled one's ideal of a brave cavalier. His short
limbs, his protruding stomach, his enormous arms and his fat hands gave
him, when he was not moving about, the appearance of a penguin in
repose. The large head covered with bushy gray hair, that surmounted
his short body imparted to him really an almost grotesque look; but so
much kindness shone in his eyes, and his voice was so rich and genial
that one instantly divined a brave man beneath this unattractive
exterior and was irresistibly attracted to him. Twenty-five years of his
existence had been spent in the service of the king. He had cheerfully
shed his blood and risked his life, and, thanks to the shrewdness he had
displayed in his dealings with recruiting officers, he was now the
possessor of several thousand francs. This little fortune enabled him to
leave the army and to marry. A pretty shop-girl on the Faubourg du
Roule, whose beautiful eyes, as he, himself, expressed it, had pierced
his heart from end to end, consented, though she was much his junior, to
a union of their destinies. In 1789 the newly married couple purchased
the stock of a wine-shop, over the door of which, after the 10th of
August, they prudently hung the sign of the "Bonnet Rouge."

At heart, Bridoul and his wife were still ardent royalists. They
bitterly deplored the imprisonment of Louis XVI. and his family, but
they were governed by a feeling which soon became general, and under the
empire of which most of the events of this bloody period were
accomplished. They were afraid. It would not do for them to be classed
with suspected persons, so they did not hesitate to violate their
conscience and their heart by openly professing doctrines which they
secretly abhorred, but which gave them the reputation of irreproachable
patriots. Hence the "Bonnet Rouge" soon became the rendezvous of the
Revolutionists of that quarter; and through them Bridoul acquired
information with regard to their plans that enabled him to save the
lives of many citizens. Fear had made him cautious but not cowardly; and
he was fortunate enough to find in his wife a valuable auxiliary whose
resolution, courage and coolness were never failing. After this
explanation, not one will be surprised at the welcome this worthy couple
accorded Dolores and Coursegol. They were ever ready to do good and to
succor the distressed.

The evening af