It could be seen from their delighted and confident attitude that, in their idea, a revolution had been accomplished.

All recollection of Camille had been dispelled.

The dead husband, the spectre that cast a chill over everyone, had been driven away by the living husband.

The past and its joys were resuscitated.

Laurent took the place of Camille, all cause for sadness disappeared, the guests could now laugh without grieving anyone; and, indeed, it was their duty to laugh to cheer up this worthy family who were good enough to receive them.
Henceforth, Grivet and Michaud, who for nearly eighteen months had visited the house under the pretext of consoling Madame Raquin, could set their little hypocrisy aside, and frankly come and doze opposite one another to the sharp ring of the dominoes.
And each week brought a Thursday evening, each week those lifeless and grotesque heads which formerly had exasperated Therese, assembled round the table.