and he married for a second wife Pompeia, the cousin of Pompey. When
sent as Quaestor to Farther Spain, in 67, he completed the work begun
by Pompey and settled the finances of the troubled country, a task
which he found the easier as he was known to belong to the popular
party, of which Marius and Sertorius had been leaders.




CHAPTER XXVIII.

TROUBLES AT ROME.--CONSPIRACY OF CATILINE.


While Pompey was absent in the East, matters at Rome were daily becoming
worse, and shaping themselves for the speedy overthrow of the Republic.
There were many who had suffered under Sulla, and who were
anxious to regain what they had lost, and there were many who,
enriched by the Dictator, had squandered their ill-gotten wealth, and
now only waited a leader to renew the assault upon the state. The
Senate was jealous of the power of the people, and the people
distrusted the Senate.

Among the patricians who were aspiring to the consulship was LUCIUS
SERGIUS CATILÍNA, a villain steeped in every crime, but adroit, bold,
and withal captivating. In 68 he had been Praetor, the next year
Governor in Africa, where by his extortions he had obtained enough
money, as he hoped, to purchase his election to the consulship. On his
return home he was impeached for his misgovernment, but acquitted
through Cicero's defence and the careful selection of a jury.