Sardou's Cleopatra — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 191 of the promontory, saw the lurid light of the bea- con flash out against the sky. It was asif an arrow had pierced her heart, and she stopped short. | “Madam,” said just above her a voice, which she recognized as that of Ventidius. “Madam, you come too late! ‘The queen is here!” The poor woman covered her face with her hands. ‘Alas !” she sobbed, “I am forced to succumb. It is vain for me to seek resignation. I would give all, rank, fortune, good name, for the shame- ful happiness of a loved mistress.”’ And above in the garden, close to her lover, stood Cleopatra, erect, palpitating with excite- ment, her dark hair unloosened and her eyes” glistening like stars, while the glancing flames of the direful beacon stained with blood-red spots her white drapery. “Ah!” she murmured low to herself. “He shall never return to Rome! Rome means Octavia !” EOmMmIchboo ‘S (E(@) a: