destroy all the charm of novelty in that little speech of mine, which is
the main thing it has to commend itself to you.  Farewell. 

5.XXI.--TO SATURNINUS. 

Your letter has aroused in me conflicting emotions, for part of the news
it contained made me glad, and part made me sorrowful.  I was glad to
hear that you were detained in town, for though you say it was much
against your will, it was not against mine, especially as you promise
that you will give a reading as soon as I arrive.  So I thank you for
waiting my coming.  The bad news was that Julius Valens is lying
seriously ill, although even this should not sadden us, if we only think
of what is best for him, for it will be much better for him to obtain as
speedy a release as possible from a disease which is past all cure.  No,
the real sad news, or rather heartrending news is that Julius Avitus
died on ship-board while returning from his quaestorship, miles away
from the brother who was devoted to him, and from his mother and
sisters.  Those are circumstances which do not affect him now that he is
dead, but they did affect him on his death-bed, and they are a great
trouble to his surviving relatives, especially as he was a young man of