because from time to time you hint faintly at it, you compel me to hope for what hardly admits of a wish.
Philotimus is announced for the 13th of August.[1] I have no farther information about him. Please let me have an answer to my previous letter to you. All the time I need is just enough to allow of my taking some precautions—I who never took any. Good-bye.
22 July.
CCCCXXXIX (A XI, 24)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Brundisium, 6 August
What you said some time ago in a letter to me, and about
me to Tullia—with a view of its reaching me also—I feel to
be true. It adds to my misery, though I thought no addition
possible, that, when most flagrantly wronged, I cannot with
impunity shew, not only any anger, but even vexation.
Let me, therefore, put up with that. But when I have
swallowed it, I shall yet have to endure the very things
which you warn me to be on my guard against. For the
blunder I have committed is such, that, whatever the final
settlement and the sentiments of the people may be, its
result seems likely to be the same.
Here I take the pen into my own hands; for what follows must be treated more confidentially. See, I beg you, even now to the will, which was made at the time when she began to be in difficulties. She did not trouble you, for she never asked you even a question, nor me either. But assuming this to be the case, you will be able—as you have now got to the point of speaking about it—to suggest to her to deposit it with some one, whose position is not affected by
- ↑ Philotimus was supposed to be bringing a letter from Cæsar to Cicero, which he thinks may be decisive as to his farther residence at Brundisium. So he must make preparation as to where to go if obliged to leave Italy.
