The novel contains love and betrayal, kindness and vileness. The key point in the book is the capture of the famous Bastille. The book will appeal not only to lovers of historical novels, but also simply to lovers of history. Ange Pitu is an orphan who lives after his mother's death with Aunt Angelica, who is a rather funny example of greed and duplicity. After expelling Abbot Fortier from school, Ange settles on the farm to his good friend Billot, where he falls into the hands of a brochure by Dr. Gilbert. It is she who brings our hero to Paris.