Sardou's Cleopatra — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

182 SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. tried friend. With a mighty effort, he forced himself into a semblance of control. Pointing to the window, he said: “There lies the fleet of Egypt’s queen. She alone shall answer these evil tales. Go. Bring her here! Go quiekly, and, as you value your lives, dare not return and tell me that she has not come.” But, before one of them could move a step in obedience to the command, these words, in aclear, melodious voice, fell upon their startled ears: “That, they cannot do, for it would be a lie!” _ The curtains parted, and before them appeared the queen herself, her superb eyes flashing with a bluish glitter, and her radiant beauty kindled into flame with anger and indignation. Involuntarily the Roman captains started back, while Diomedes, pale as ashes, fell prostrate on his face before her. Antony uttered a great cry: “Cleopatra!” and then stood as if turned to stone, his eyes fixed upon the exquisite vision before him. With a glance withering in its scorn, Cleopatra turned to Antony’s companions, Without a word, the soldiers filed out of the comicbooks co