Hans' silence seemed to be infecting us.
The road was now not ascending, at least not perceptibly.

Sometimes, even, it seemed to have a slight fall.

But this tendency, which was very trifling, could not do anything to reassure the Professor; for there was no change in the beds, and the transitional characteristics became more and more decided.
The electric light was reflected in sparkling splendour from the schist, limestone, and old red sandstone of the walls.

It might have been thought that we were passing through a section of Wales, of which an ancient people gave its name to this system.

Specimens of magnificent marbles clothed the walls, some of a greyish agate fantastically veined with white, others of rich crimson or yellow dashed with splotches of red; then came dark cherry-coloured marbles relieved by the lighter tints of limestone.
The greater part of these bore impressions of primitive organisms.
Creation had evidently advanced since the day before.