He would fain have continued, but his knees trembled, and his heart beat so violently, and his sight became so dim, that he was forced to pause.
This feeling lasted but for a moment.

Edmond inserted his lever in the ring and exerted all his strength; the flag-stone yielded, and disclosed steps that descended until they were lost in the obscurity of a subterraneous grotto.

Any one else would have rushed on with a cry of joy.

Dantes turned pale, hesitated, and reflected.

"Come," said he to himself, "be a man.