In Sight of St. Paul's — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

\ THE PANTHE R’S BIRTHDAY. 205 »o might Messalina have viewed from the impérial, scarlet-covered seat, the girl who had dared to dis- pute with her one of her lovers, but who was now standing in the arena below, coweringly awaiting the approach of the wild beasts who were to tear her to pieces. | And there was no more relenting in the breast of Cynthia Dell than there was in the heart of the Roman Empress as she turned her thumb downward in token that no mercy was to be shown. i One of the women thrust a glass of champagne into Aileen’s hand. The girl took it mechanically, scarcely knowing what she was doing. | “Now drink!’ commanded the Panther, her whole face illumined with unholy triumph. ‘‘Drink health to Aspasia or'to me! Yes! Tome! The queen of all who live for life, for pleasure, for hap- piness ! A health to me, then!’ with increasing ex- citement. ‘‘Prosperity to my subjects, Woman! And ruin to our enemy, Man!”’ As the Panther spoke Aileen gradually realized the position in which she was placed. She grasped the situation and regained her native courage. She stood there quietly, her black-robed figure erect, her eyes calm, her whole attitude that of the martyr, who, if she has to suffer, will at least suffer with dignity and fortitude. Gomicbooks (E(@) m ;