Sardou's Cleopatra — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

SARDUI?S CLEOPATRA. 241 He turned his haggard eyes upon his old friend, as if to seek advice from him. Ventidius shook his head sadly, and groaned aloud: “Tt is useless, general. ‘There is no escape.” “But the queen, Ventidius, the queen! Cleo- patra !” Scarcely were the words uttered when just out- side arose a wailing cry: “The queen is dead! ‘The queen is dead!” With one bound Antony was in the corridor, and seized by his tunic one of the slaves who went - flying by. “Whatis it? Speak! The queen?” ‘Alas, my lord,” said the man, who was trem- bling with fear and horror. “The queen is no more. Before her women could prevent her, she plunged her dagger in her heart.” White as ashes, Antony released him and stag- gered back to the side of Ventidius. “So, my old friend,” he gasped, “‘all is over. She is dead, and ? “General,” cried Ventidius, “there is yet a chance of escape. Quick! would you be taken ?” “Yes, but not alive. Do your duty, old soldier. - The hour has come.” ee, Eomicbooks (E(e)