Sardou's Cleopatra — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOWS CLEOPATEA. 153 “This pretended anger of Antony’s,” he said, ‘Ss but an excuse. He goes to rejoin Cleopatra. My sister, do not allow your pride to come between us. J am your best friend; tell me the truth. Antony has betrayed us, and forsaken us. You know it as well as I.” “KHyen if that be true,” replied Octavia, sadly but firmly, “I forgive him.” “But I cannot forgive him so easily. All ) Rome shall know that my sister : “Oh! I beseech you, no!” interrupted Octa- via, with an imploring gesture. ‘Whatever your anger may be, never speak my name. Do what- ever else you like! Make your common friends his enemies, tell them that itis your desire to reign alone over the empire, and to crush your rival, but do not speak to them of the wrongs I have suffered or have still to suffer at his hands. Do not speak to them of the sorrows of my life. Of what importance to the Romans are the tears of Octavia? Break the bond that has united you, if such is your desire, but leave me out of your quarrel. Be cruel, but permit me to be generous. I love Antony, and I wish the com- mon herd to believe me happy as his wife. I G (0) = cComicbooks