The novel revolves around the contrasting characters of two brothers. Philippe Bridau, the elder, Napoleon's aide-de-camp at the battle of Montereau, had a brief but glorious career in the army before the fall of the Emperor. A handsome and dashing figure, although now with no prospects, he is still more popular than his younger brother, Joseph, a man of less adventurous spirit whom his mother considers a shiftless, good-for-nothing artist.