What Désirée said was true. Marriage, and later the birth of his son had softened Armand Aubigny's imperious and exacting nature greatly. This was what made the gentle Désirée so happy, for she loved him desperately. When he frowned she trembled, but loved him. When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God. But Armand's dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.
When the baby was about three months old, Désirée awoke one day to the conviction that there was something in the air menacing her peace. It was at first too subtle to grasp. It had only been a disquieting suggestion; an air of mystery among the blacks; unexpected visits from far-off neighbors who could hardly account for their coming. Then a strange, an awful change in her husband's manner, which she dared not ask him to explain. When he spoke to her, it was with averted eyes, from which the old love-light seemed to have gone out. He absented himself from home; and when there, avoided her presence and that of her child, without excuse. And the very spirit of Satan seemed suddenly to take hold of him in his dealings with the slaves. Désirée was miserable enough to die.
She sat in her room, one hot afternoon, listlessly drawing through her fingers the strands of her long, silky brown hair that hung about her shoulders. The baby, half naked, lay asleep upon her own great mahogany bed, that was like a sumptuous throne, with its satin-lined half-canopy. One of La Blanche's little quadroon boys-half naked too- stood fanning the child slowly with a fan of peacock feathers. Désirée's eyes had been fixed absently and sadly upon the baby, while she was striving to penetrate the threatening mist that she felt closing about her. She looked from her child to the boy who stood beside him, and back again; over and over. "Ah!" It was a cry that she could not help; which she was not conscious of having uttered. The blood turned like ice in her veins, and a clammy moisture gathered upon her face.
Question 1: How did marriage and the birth of his son affect Armand Aubigny's nature?
Answer: Marriage and the birth of his son softened Armand Aubigny's imperious and exacting nature greatly.
Question 2: What made Désirée happy despite Armand's imperious nature?
Answer: Désirée was happy because she loved Armand desperately, and his softened nature brought her happiness.
Question 3: What change did Désirée notice when her son was about three months old?
Answer: Désirée noticed a disquieting change in the air, mysterious behavior among the black slaves, unexpected visits from neighbors, and a strange and awful change in her husband's manner.
Question 4: How did Armand's behavior change towards Désirée and their child?
Answer: Armand began to avoid Désirée and their child, speaking to her with averted eyes and absenting himself from home without excuse.
Question 5: Describe Désirée's emotional state as depicted in the passage?
Answer: Désirée was miserable and felt as though she could die. She was deeply troubled by the changes in her husband's behavior and felt a sense of impending doom.
Question 6: What realization does Désirée have while sitting in her room?
Answer: While sitting in her room, Désirée realizes a threatening mist closing around her. She becomes increasingly anxious and distressed, culminating in a moment of shock and horror when she notices something about her child and La Blanche's little quadroon boy.
