I should like to die here at your feet, overwhelmed by shame and grief." She spoke in this manner for hours together, passing from despair to hope, condemning and then pardoning herself; she assumed the voice, brief and plaintive in turn, of a little sick girl; she flattened herself on the ground and drew herself up again, acting upon all the ideas of humility and pride, of repentance and revolt that entered her head.

Sometimes even, forgetting she was on her knees before Madame Raquin, she continued her monologue as in a dream.

When she had made herself thoroughly giddy with her own words, she rose staggering and dazed, to go down to the shop in a calmer frame of mind, no longer fearing to burst into sobs before her customers.

When she again felt inclined for remorse, she ran upstairs and knelt at the feet of the impotent woman.

This scene was repeated ten times a day.
Therese never reflected that her tears, and display of repentance must impose ineffable anguish on her aunt.