Bossuet is described as a "gay but unlucky fellow" by Hugo. He struggles often to find a basis for accomplishments and went bald by twenty-five. He possesses some degree of wit and an abundance of good cheer in spite of his circumstances and bears the terrible triteness of being with his arms thrown over the shoulder of adversity as if it were an old friend. Bossuet, too, pursued the trappings of a law degree but met the same level of success as Bahorel. He is passionately attached to both Joly and Musichetta.