The short story falls into three parts, and each part is seen through a different point of view. First we see things through Mme Valmondé's eyes. We enter her stream of consciousness as she remembers how Desirée was found, how Armand Aubigny fell in love with her and the conditions of the wedding. It is through her sympathetic eyes that we see l'Abri and the baby for the first time. We can share her joy at Désirée's happiness as well as her apprehension concerning the baby.