Sardou's Cleopatra — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

948 | SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. well. Were it not for him? As she thought this, a desperate project formed itself in her mind. Yet, why should it not succeed? Her astuteness had before this been more than a match for infinitely more brilliant men than this young Octavius, whose successes had been due far more to chance than to his own ability. Had she lost any of the cleverness, any of the beauty, any of the fascination that had enslaved the great Ceesar? Could she but induce this man, who held her destiny and that of Antony in his hands, to place himself in her power, could she but lull to rest his suspicions for one brief interval, then “Tras!” she called, stopping suddenly, with cheeks crimsoning with excitement. | The girl started, and hurried to her side. “Yes, royal mistress, I am here.” “Faithful Iras, go seek Octavius. The guards will let you pass. Say that Cleopatra craves im- mediate audience with him. Ask it asa right, not as a boon granted through pity. No tears, Iras, no tears! Mark Antony would scorn all tears. Tell him Cleopatra herself wishes to see him.” — “Your will shall be obeyed.” She turned, but just as she was about to pass through the door, Cleopatra called her back, comicbooks (ef @)