authenticated form."

"What?" said the Colonel. "Is not my word enough for you?"

The word "authenticated" fell on the old man's heart, and roused
involuntary distrust. He looked at his wife in a way that made her
color, she cast down her eyes, and he feared that he might find
himself compelled to despise her. The Countess was afraid lest she had
scared the shy modesty, the stern honesty, of a man whose generous
temper and primitive virtues were known to her. Though these feelings
had brought the clouds to her brow, they immediately recovered their
harmony. This was the way of it. A child's cry was heard in the
distance.

"Jules, leave your sister in peace," the Countess called out.

"What, are your children here?" said Chabert.

"Yes, but I told them not to trouble you."

The old soldier understood the delicacy, the womanly tact of so
gracious a precaution, and took the Countess' hand to kiss it.

"But let them come," said he.

The little girl ran up to complain of her brother.

"Mamma!"

"Mamma!"