Here's a breakdown of his role in the story:
* Loyal to the French monarchy: He's a staunch supporter of the king and his regime, even after the revolution begins.
* Imprisoned by revolutionaries: He's arrested and imprisoned by the revolutionaries because of his association with the aristocracy.
* Rescued by Charles Darnay: Charles Darnay, who is secretly related to the Evrémonde family (who were hated by the revolutionaries), risks his own safety to get Gabelle released from prison.
* Represents the old order: Gabelle is a symbol of the old, oppressive regime that the revolutionaries are fighting against.
Gabelle's story highlights the brutal realities of the French Revolution and the fear and uncertainty that it caused. He's a tragic figure caught in the crossfire of a revolution that tears apart the social fabric of France.