Sardou's Cleopatra — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

124 : SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. short, and with both hands pressed to her wildly- beating lreart, awaited the appearance of the mes- senger. In another moment, Kephren issued from below, followed by a man naked, save for the breech- cloth about his loins, and covered with the dust of travel. With a gesture, Kephren indicated the queen, and Antony’s messenger, for such indeed he was, advanced hurriedly, and prostrated himself at her feet. “Rise, rise, my friend,” exclaimed Cleopatra, with a catch in her voice that betrayed the terri- ble excitement she was laboring under. “You come from him? From Antony ?” The man arose to his feet, and stood a pace or two from her. Either from the weariness of his journey, or from some emotion, he was trembling from head to foot. “Hail, royal Egypt!” he began. ‘“‘Hail——” “Answer my question!” interrupted the queen, imperiously. ‘This is no time for idle ceremony. You come from Antony ?” “Yes, Great Queen,” replied the messenger, with downcast eyes. 3 Suddenly, as she looked upon his somber vis- comicbooks.co