500
Abbe Faria is speaking to Edmond in his cell, frustrated that his tunnel leads to another cell as opposed to the courtyard. It reveals that Faria, though extremely strong and innovative, is growing weak. It foreshadows his death later in the novel.
Quote ID: “Finally, do you know that I thought myself to be almost at the end of my labor and felt that I had just enough strength left to finish it when I suddenly learned that it had all been in vain?”