Madame Valmondé's reaction to seeing the baby after a four-week span in which she has not seen it sets the tone for what is to come. Her first reaction is to declare that it cannot be the same child.

The child's mother seems to think that this is a joke, saying that she knew Madame Valmondé would be "astonished" by the sight of the baby and his growth. She points out how much the child has grown and his hair and fingernails, and she notes that his crying has been considerable.

Madame Valmondé, however, examines the baby and seems sure that it has "changed" in some way. She then asks what Armand has to say about it.

Désirée at this point has not observed any behavior from her husband that would suggest he was anything other than an incredibly proud father. She even notes that he has been particularly kind to the Black slaves of the house since the baby was born, an extension of his good feeling for the world and everyone in it.

However, Madame Valmondé's behavior sets the tone for what is to come. She has clearly recognized that the child is not entirely white and is curious to know what Armand makes of this. It is noted at this point, too, that Armand has a "dark handsome face," which offers some foreshadowing as to the reason for the child's darker appearance.