The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

Morrel was only thirty-one, Barrois was sixty years of age; Morrel was
deeply in love, and Barrois was dying with heat and exertion. These
two men, thus opposed in age and interests, resembled two parts of
a triangle, presenting the extremes of separation, yet nevertheless
possessing their point of union. This point of union was Noirtier, and
it was he who had just sent for Morrel, with the request that the latter
would lose no time in coming to him--a command which Morrel obeyed to
the letter, to the great discomfiture of Barrois. On arriving at the
house, Morrel was not even out of breath, for love lends wings to our
desires; but Barrois, who had long forgotten what it was to love, was
sorely fatigued by the expedition he had been constrained to use.

The old servant introduced Morrel by a private entrance, closed the door
of the study, and soon the rustling of a dress announced the arrival of
Valentine. She looked marvellously beautiful in her deep mourning dress,
and Morrel experienced such intense delight in gazing upon her that he
felt as if he could almost have dispensed with the conversation of her