The lamp shed its faint gleams on her white face, and her words sounded particularly sweet in the silence and stillness of the room.
The murderers, one seated on each side of her, silent and motionless, seemed to be attentively listening to what she said.

In truth they did not attempt to follow the sense of the gossip of the good old lady.

They were simply pleased to hear this sound of soft words which prevented them attending the crash of their own thoughts.

They dared not cast their eyes on one another, but looked at Madame Raquin to give themselves countenances.

They never breathed a word about going to bed; they would have remained there until morning, listening to the affectionate nonsense of the former mercer, amid the appeasement she spread around her, had she not herself expressed the desire to retire.
It was only then that they quitted the dining-room and entered their own apartment in despair, as if casting themselves to the bottom of an abyss.
But they soon had much more preference for the Thursday gatherings, than for these family evenings.