Sardou's Cleopatra — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLHOPATHRA. 65 With all the arts of which she was past mis- tress; with all the tender, seductive accents of her caressing voice, she pointed out to her reluctant lover the path wherein his duty lay; she showed to him that his desertion opened to Octavius the absolute rulership of Rome; she encouraged him, she awakened in him all his old ambition, all his old longing for triumph and power. And, al- though at first he turned to all her entreaties and arguments a deaf ear, she finally persuaded him to depart. “Who can resist you, oh, Royal Egypt?” he said, at last. ‘“‘Now, as ever, I will obey your commands.” “Yes,” she cried, enthusiastically. “Glory be- fore all!” Then, with a quick transition, she threw her- self, with a burst of sobs, into his arms. “Go! Go! But be faithful to me, and return —— quickly.” Led by Ventidius, who was half delirious at the thought that after all, and just when it had seemed _tmost hopeless, his mission was to be crowned with ~ success, a mighty sl shout went Bee from the Roman soldiers, | Eomicbooks (E(@)