Octavius then sent another man with the messenger, and while one was engaging the attention of Cleopatra and her women at the door below, the other obtained ladders, and succeeded in gaining admission into the window above.

Cleopatra was warned of the success of this stratagem by the shrieks of her women, who saw the officer coming down the stairs.

She looked around, and observing at a glance that she was betrayed, and that the officer was coming to seize her, she drew a little dagger from her robe, and was about to plunge it into her breast, when the officer grasped her arm just in time to prevent the blow.

He took the dagger from her, and then examined her clothes to see that there were no other secret weapons concealed there.
The capture of the queen being reported to Octavius, he appointed an officer to take her into close custody.

This officer was charged to treat her with all possible courtesy, but to keep a close and constant watch over her, and particularly to guard against allowing her any possible means or opportunity for self-destruction.
In the mean time, Octavius took formal possession of the city, marching in at the head of his troops with the most imposing pomp and parade.