Her beauty, her accomplishments, and a certain indescribable charm which pervaded all her demeanor, combined to give her great personal power.

But, while these things awakened in other minds feelings of interest in Cleopatra and attachment to her, they only increased the jealousy and envy of Pothinus.

Cleopatra was becoming his rival.

He endeavored to thwart and circumvent her.

He acted toward her in a haughty and overbearing manner, in order to keep her down to what he considered her proper place as his ward; for he was yet the guardian both of Cleopatra and her husband, and the regent of the realm.
Cleopatra had a great deal of what is sometimes called spirit, and her resentment was aroused by this treatment.