Theresa Raquin

ing from the Rue Mazarine to the Rue de Seine. This arcade, at the most, is thirty paces long by two in breadth. It is paved with

the dirty glazing overhead to drag miserably through the arcade. On nasty days in winter, on foggy

s displayed in their windows are covered with dust, and owing to the prevailing darkness, can only be perceived indistinctly. The shop fronts, formed of small panes of glass, st

out a name, goods forgotten for twenty years, are spread out there on thin shelves painted a horrible brown colour. A dealer in imitation jewelry has s

y plastered black wall, looking as if covered

parcels under their arms. There are also old men who drag themselves forward in the sad gloaming that falls from the glazed roof, and bands of small children who come to the arcade on leaving school, to make a noise by stamping their feet on the tiles as they run along. Throughout the day a sharp hurried ring of

one might take the place for a subterranean gallery indistinctly lit-up by three funeral lamps. The tradespeople for all light are contented with the faint rays which the gas burners throw upon their windows. Inside their shops, they merely have a lamp with a shade, which they place at the corner of their counter, and the passer-by can then distinguish what the depths of these holes sheltering night i

gnboard, made of a long narrow plank, figured, in black letters the word: MERCERY. And on one of the panes of glass in the

only distinguish the display of

nd hung lamentably suspended from a wire hook. The window, from top to bottom, was filled in this manner with whitish bits of clothing, which took a lugubrious aspect in the transparent obscurity. The new c

nted with steel beads, spread over rounds of bluish paper, fasces of knitting needles, tapestry patterns, bobbins of ribbon, along with a heap of soiled and faded

parched forehead was attached a long, narrow, pointed nose; the pale pink lips resembled two thin threads, and the short, nervy chin was attached to the neck by a line that was supple and fat. The body, lost in the shadow, could not be seen. The profile alone appeared

case afforded communication with the rooms on the first floor. Against the walls were show cases, cupboards, rows of green cardboard boxes. Four chairs and a table completed

sat dozing with a smile on her countenance. The latter was about sixty; and her fat, placid face looked white

oman. He was short, delicate, and in manner languid. With his fair hair devoid of lustre, his spars

ed, and all the family went upstairs to bed. The tabby cat followed th

n the left stood a porcelain stove; opposite, a sideboard; then chairs were arranged along the walls, and a round table occupied t

on a chair in the kitchen. The married couple entered their room, which had a second do

blinds. She remained there a few minutes facing the great black wall, which ascends and stretches above the arcade. She