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58 B.C.]

at the critical moment, Ninnius, as early as the 1st of June brought the question of Cicero's recall before the Senate, and elicited an unanimous resolution in favour of it; in October, eight of the tribunes not only consulted the Senate but proposed a bill to the People. These measures were inoperative except as a demonstration, for they were vetoed by Clodius and his single adherent among the tribunes. The consular elections in the summer resulted in favour of Lentulus Spinther and Metellus Nepos, the same who, as tribune, had forbidden Cicero to speak to the people when he went out of office at the end of the year 63 (see above p. 161). He now announced that he would forget his old feud, and not oppose any measures in Cicero's favour. His colleague declared himself from the first Cicero's friend, and almost all the tribunes-elect were on the same side. Amongst them were Titus Annius Milo, and Publius Sestius. Sestius before the end of the year undertook a journey into Gaul to beg the acquiescence of Cæsar. As early as August Cicero had mentioned in a letter some information received from Varro which seemed to indicate that Cæsar showed signs of relenting. Nevertheless Sestius' overtures were at first unsuccessful, and some delay was thus caused; for Pompey could hardly permit Cicero to return without first gaining Cæsar's consent. At length his objections were removed, apparently by negotiations with Quintus