Sardou's Cleopatra — page 114: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 99 was creeping up behind her. Nearer and nearer he approached, until he was close beside her. Still she gazed into vacancy, still the fan moved slowly to and fro. Suddenly a hand was clapped over her mouth, preventing her from making any outcry, and a voice, that she recognized in spite of her alarm, whispered low in her ear: “Not a word! Notasound! Come with me.” His hand was removed, and scarce knowing what she did, she arose cautiously and followed him to the door. The queen stirred uneasily, but did not awaken. When the curtain had fallen behind them, and they were alone ina small ante-room, Iras said, trembling with fear, not for herself, but for him: ‘“Pharon, what madness has brought you here? — And to-day in the garden? Whydo you thus risk your life ?” — “Risk my life?” he replied, bitterly. “It is the last day I have to live. Let me, at least, make the most of it.” “The last day you have to live ?” she repeated, with wide, staring eyes. “Ves. You made me break my oath. “To-night I keep it.” (Ele) ECOoOMmIcbooks