The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 79

Morrel was, in fact, very happy. M. Noirtier had just sent

for him, and he was in such haste to know the reason of his

doing so that he had not stopped to take a cab, placing

infinitely more dependence on his own two legs than on the

four legs of a cab-horse. He had therefore set off at a

furious rate from the Rue Meslay, and was hastening with

rapid strides in the direction of the Faubourg Saint-Honore.

Morrel advanced with a firm, manly tread, and poor Barrois

followed him as he best might. 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 thei