At first the delight of recovering possession kept him from dwelling on the means by which the recovery had been brought about.

His joy therefore was full and unalloyed.
Breakfast over, the four children, the father and Pierquin went into the parlor, where Balthazar saw with some uneasiness a number of legal papers which the notary's clerk had laid upon a table, by which he was standing as if to assist his chief.

The children all sat down, and Balthazar, astonished, remained standing before the fireplace.
"This," said Pierquin, "is the guardianship account which Monsieur Claes renders to his children.

It is not very amusing," he added, laughing after the manner of notaries who generally assume a lively tone in speaking of serious matters, "but I must really oblige you to listen to it." Though the phrase was natural enough under the circumstances, Monsieur Claes, whose conscience recalled his past life, felt it to be a reproach, and his brow clouded.
The clerk began the reading.

Balthazar's amazement increased as little by little the statement unfolded the facts.