Chapters XVII - XIX Summary

The mention of marriage awakens Laurent's long-slumbering passions, but they are turned against him. He drinks late that night in a wine shop, to avoid being alone at home. His walk in the dark to his room that night terrifies him. He stays awake rationalizing the reasons for and against marrying Thérèse. He has insomnia, and when he does sleep, he experiences nightmares where he goes to Thérèse, but ends up in the arms of Camille's rotting corpse. Camille's bite bothers Laurent. He even imagines that Camille is shaking his bed. After a horrible night, he gets up for his day and realizes that if he had been with Thérèse, he would not have been afraid. He resolves to marry her as soon as possible. He examines the bite scar in...