The idea that she was about to introduce a stranger into her daily existence terrified her.

It was this thought alone that stopped her, that prevented her from talking openly with her niece about matrimony.
While Therese acted the comedy of weariness and dejection with that perfect hypocrisy she had acquired by her education, Laurent took the part of a sensible and serviceable man.

He was full of little attentions for the two women, particularly for Madame Raquin, whom he overwhelmed with delicate attention.

Little by little he made himself indispensable in the shop; it was him alone who brought a little gaiety into this black hole.

When he did not happen to be there of an evening, the old mercer searched round her, ill at ease, as if she missed something, being almost afraid to find herself face to face with the despairing Therese.
But Laurent only occasionally absented himself to better prove his power.