On repeated occasions, he took Madame Raquin to one side, and terrified her by appearing very much alarmed himself at the changes and ravages he said he perceived on the face of the young woman.
"We shall soon lose her," he murmured in a tearful voice.

"We cannot conceal from ourselves that she is extremely ill.

Ah! alas, for our poor happiness, and our nice tranquil evenings!" Madame Raquin listened to him with anguish.

Laurent even had the audacity to speak of Camille.
"You see," said he to the mercer, "the death of my poor friend has been a terrible blow to her.

She had been dying for the last two years, since that fatal day when she lost Camille.