He said to himself that as his father, the Jeufosse peasant, could not make up his mind to die, he would perhaps have to remain a clerk another ten years, eating in cheap restaurants, and living in a garret.

This idea exasperated him.

On the other hand, if Camille were dead, he would marry Therese, he would inherit from Madame Raquin, resign his clerkship, and saunter about in the sun.

Then, he took pleasure in dreaming of this life of idleness; he saw himself with nothing to do, eating and sleeping, patiently awaiting the death of his father.

And when the reality arose in the middle of his dream, he ran up against Camille, and clenched his fists to knock him down.
Laurent desired Therese; he wanted her for himself alone, to have her always within reach.