Sardou's Cleopatra — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOWS CLEOPATRA, 229 who envy me your love, and seek to take it from me, would not have envied me your friendship.” “But Cesar! exclaimed Ventidius, feeling more and more that his direct honesty was no match for her wiles. “Answer! Have you not agreed with him to deliver Antony ?” “To you I disdain reply! But,” turning to Antony, “that his slanderous tongue may no longer poison your ears, to you, noble Antony, I tell all: Huis accusation. has this much truth. By a messenger Octavius has sent me this. IfI could have borne life and greatness away from you, this would have given me the means.” As she spoke, she drew from the folds of her robe a small roll of papyrus and extended it to Antony. “Beware, general,” cried Ventidius. ‘Tis but another ruse!” If a look had power to kill, the old veteran would have fallen dead at the feet of the Egyp- tian queen. But Antony paid no attention to the warning. -He had unrolled the papyrus, and was eagerly perusing the writing. “By Hercules! he muttered. “It is Octavius’ hand. Look, Ventidius! Look, Eros! He offers here Egypt, with all Syria joined to it as EComicbooks.c =>