my opinion," I said, "if that is a matter to be brought before the
court." "I ask you," he repeated, "what is your opinion of
Modestus?" I replied that it was customary to examine witnesses to
the character of an accused man, not to the character of one on
whom sentence had already been passed. He pressed me a third
time. "I do not now enquire, said he, "your opinion of Modestus in
general, I only ask your opinion of his loyalty." "Since you will
have my opinion then," I rejoined, "I think it illegal even to ask a
question concerning a person who stands convicted." He sat down
at this, completely silenced; and I received applause and
congratulation on all sides, that without injuring my reputation by
an advantageous, perhaps, though ungenerous answer, I had not
entangled myself in the toils of so insidious a catch-question.
Thoroughly frightened upon this then, he first seizes upon
Caecilius Celer, next he goes and begs of Fabius Justus, that they
would use their joint interest to bring about a reconciliation
between us. And lest this should not be sufficient, he sets off to
Spurinnz as well; to whom he came in the humblest way (for he is
the most abject creature alive, where he has anything to be afraid
of) and says to him, "Do, I entreat of you, call on Pliny to-morrow
morning, certainly in the morning, no later (for I cannot endure
this anxiety of mind longer), and endeavour by any means in your
power to soften his resentment." I was already up, the next day,
when a message arrived from Spurinna, "I am coming to call on
you." I sent word back, "Nay, I will wait upon you;" however, both
of us setting out to pay this visit, we met under Livia's portico. He
acquainted me with the commission he had received from
Regulus, and interceded for him as became so worthy a man in
behalf of one so totally dissimilar, without greatly pressing the
thing. "I will leave it to you," was my reply, "to consider what