- Laurent is perfectly content with his new life: he is the lover of his friend's wife, and Mme Raquin spoils him with her attentions.
- What's to be upset about?
- For her part, Thérèse takes delight in deceiving Camille and Mme Raquin.
- On the surface, she remains the same calm, passive, boring Thérèse. But she is secretly ecstatic that Laurent is her lover.
- Things go on like this for eight months.