Sardou's Cleopatra — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

296 SARDOU’S OLKEOPATRA. my Cleopatra. I have only one enemy, and his naine is doubt; doubt is the fatal enemy against which I have no defense. I fear doubt more than triumphant Cesar. When I doubt you, all my courage expires. Why fight then? Ino longer ~ wish for empire. I forget my fame, my glory, my battle flags, my old soldiers. All that I care for is to put forever to flight this insupportable doubt.” “And I will force you to believe in me forever!” she cried, thrilling with happiness at having won the battle and regained her lover, while the thought went flashing through her mind: “Bet- ter that he should be shamed and here, than victorious in Rome and with Octavia.” But, suddenly, the grating of a key in the lock of a door in the wall just behind them startled them both. She sprang from his embrace. The door opened cautiously and Ventidius appeared peering into the garden. Behind him were a score or soof men. As soon as the old soldier caught sight of his master and the queen, he uttered an exclamation of surprise, and rushed forward, followed by the others. | ‘So, general,’ he exclaimed, “you have fore- - stalled us and trapped the bird yourself. Seize COMIC 900 ‘S.€O) =