The suspicion of domestic treachery and of the talk with Hirtius has been removed. How I hope young Quintus is worthy of his family, and how I keep urging myself to note the points in his favour! But need he have visited Hirtius? There is something in the tale, but I hope it may not prove of much consequence. Still I wonder he is not back yet. But we shall see about this.
Please introduce Terentia to the Oppii: for there is only one danger in Rome now.[130] As for me, give me the benefit of your advice as to whether I am to go to Regium on foot or to embark straight from here, and on all the other points too, as I am staying here. I shall have something to write as soon as I have seen Curio. Please keep me posted up in news about Tiro's condition, as you have done.
[130] The Oppii were moneylenders, and, if the reading unum is right, Cicero must mean that lack of obtaining ready money was the only danger in Rome.
V
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Cumae, April 16, B.C. 49
About the whole of my plans I have written to you before, as I think, exactly. Of the day I can say no more for certain than this, that it will not be before the new moon. Curio's conversation on the next day had practically the same gist, except that he showed still more frankly that he could not see an end to this state of things.
50,000 sesterces
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As for your commission about the control of Quintus, you are asking for the moon.[131] However I