Sardou's Cleopatra — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

28 §SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. retired to the back of the platform, and Antony and Cleopatra were left virtually alone. Strains of music from the musicians on the barge stirred gently the soft air. He bent over until his cheeks almost brushed her fragrant hair. “Royal Egypt,” he murmured, in a voice that he vainly endeavored to steady, “are you satis- fied ?” Languorously she threw back her head, slowly the heavy fringed lids were raised, and the mid- night eyes plunged into his. Involuntarily he caught his breath, and like the helpless bird beneath the charm of the serpent, he was con- scious of nothing save the fascination of her gaze. “Satisfied!” she repeated, in tones more melo- dious than those of the lutes. ‘Noble Antony, it is for you to answer that. You sent for me, and I have come. Are you satisfied ?” “I sent for Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and Venus, Queen of Beauty, has come.” She removed her eyes from his face, and her color deepened just a little. “Ah!” she murmured, as if half to herself, comicbooks (E(o)