Sardou's Cleopatra — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

164. SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. ~~, As she paused Antony gazed at her with a softened look. Pity plead strongly in his heart for her. His breast was rent with contending emotions, his love for Cleopatra and his sense of what was due to his wife, his friends, and his country. | “Listen to justice,” said Ventidius. ‘Be once more the Antony you were, general, triumvir,. emperor !” Emperor! At this word Antony’s eyes flashed. All his old ambition was aroused. Why not? Was not the imperial crown within his grasp? He had but to reach out his hand to take it. For the mo- ment, Cleopatra’s image, which had been so con- stantly before him, faded away, and in its place he saw a vision of himself, clad in imperial pur- ple, a scepter in his hand, the world at his feet. Octavia moved closer to his side and laid her hand upon his arm. “If I can offer pardon,” she said, softly, “can ‘not you afford to take it ?” The extraordinary magnanimity exhibited by Octavia moved Antony deeply,-and his better na- ture momentarily asserted itself. He took the hand, which rested upon his arm, and raised it to his lips. ~“comicbooks.co