Before going to dinner, after leaving the office for the night, he and Camille went for a stroll on the quays.

Both found satisfaction in this intimacy.

They dawdled along, chatting with one another, which prevented them feeling dull, and after a time decided to go and taste the soup prepared by Madame Raquin.

Laurent opened the shop door as if he were master of the house, seated himself astride a chair, smoking and expectorating as though at home.
The presence of Therese did not embarrass him in the least.

He treated the young woman with friendly familiarity, paying her commonplace compliments without a line of his face becoming disturbed.