Therese remained bending down, allowing the old mother to exhaust her outburst of grief.

She had dreaded this first interview ever since the murder; and had kept in bed to delay it, to reflect at ease on the terrible part she had to play.
When she perceived Madame Raquin more calm, she busied herself about her, advising her to rise, and go down to the shop.

The old mercer had almost fallen into dotage.

The abrupt apparition of her niece had brought about a favourable crisis that had just restored her memory, and the consciousness of things and beings around her.

She thanked Suzanne for her attention.