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the subject of conjecture, I do not presume to claim a deeper insight into the future than what I am convinced is given you by your own vision and discernment; but for all that, since there is a possibility of your being unduly perturbed by the consideration of those matters, I think it my duty to express my own sentiments. The very conditions of life and the trend of the times are such as to make it impossible that the circumstances in which you find yourself should last for any length of time, either in your own case or in that of any others, or that so good a cause and such good citizens should be permanently affected by so intolerable an injustice.

³ And in this connexion, in addition to the hope with which your own personality inspires me to no ordinary degree, not only on account of your position and probity (for these are distinctions which others can claim as well as yourself), there are also those peculiar to yourself in your outstanding ability and admirable courage, and to this I positively affirm that the man who has us in his power attaches great importance; so that you would not have remained for a single moment in your present position were it not that he had considered himself insulted by that very gift of yours in which he finds a charm. But this feeling of offence is itself being mitigated daily, and I have hints from those who live with him that this very opinion he holds of your ability will weigh very heavily in your favour with the great man himself.

⁴ For that reason you must in the first place keep up your spirits and courage; that is a duty laid upon you by your birth, your upbringing, your education, and even your reputation; in the second place you