An old maid at Vernon had sent her to one of her relatives who in this arcade kept a mercery shop which she desired to get rid of.
The former mercer found the shop rather small, and rather dark; but, in passing through Paris, she had been taken aback by the noise in the streets, by the luxuriously dressed windows, and this narrow gallery, this modest shop front, recalled her former place of business which was so peaceful.

She could fancy herself again in the provinces, and she drew a long breath thinking that her dear children would be happy in this out-of-the-way corner.

The low price asked for the business, caused her to make up her mind.

The owner sold it her for 2,000 francs, and the rent of the shop and first floor was only 1,200 francs a year.

Madame Raquin, who had close upon 4,000 francs saved up, calculated that she could pay for the business and settle the rent for the first year, without encroaching on her fortune.