The Night of the 11th July 1789
Restif makes the acquaintance of three young revolutionaries, Malibert, Saint-Florent and Dorival. He helps them when they are set upon by some ruffians in the pay of a group of young aristocrats.
Later, at a tavern - one of his favourite haunts - he recognises the same hoodlums when they try to rally the people to revolt and denounces them as conspirators. A chase ensues during which he meets up with Malibert, Saint-Florent and Dorival again. Together they rescue a pretty young servant girl, Josephine, from thugs posing as National Guards. She has been left alone in her master's house, so to protect her they decide to spend the night there.