‘Visitors, sir. A litter is approaching from down the road. If my eyes don’t deceive me, I would say it is Titus Pomponius.’

‘At last! Quickly, go to meet him and bring him here to my study. Have the tricliniaprepared. He’s sure to stay for lunch.’

Tiro bowed and went towards the atriumand the front door. But as soon as he glanced out at the road, an expression of disappointment crossed his face. The litter, which was only about fifty paces away, had just turned on to a little road on the left and disappeared from sight. How could he tell his master that the friend he’d been anxiously awaiting had changed his mind? He paused a few minutes in the shade of an old laurel tree that stood next to the gate to reflect on what had happened, then he turned to go and tell Cicero the curious news that as Titus Pomponius’s litter was nearing the gate, it vanished all at once, as if its occupant had had second thoughts.

As he was going in, one of the servants came rushing over, saying, ‘Tiro, there’s someone knocking at the back door! What shall I do?’

Tiro immediately realized what had happened.

‘Open it right away,’ he said. ‘I’ll be there with you.’

In a few steps the servant reached the back door and opened it without asking any questions. Tiro, who was right behind him, recognized Atticus and had him come in.

‘Forgive me, Titus Pomponius, you know how foolish the servants can be. I knew it must be you. Follow me, please. My master is most anxious to see you.’

He opened the door to Cicero’s study, let the man in and left them.

‘I’ve been waiting eagerly for this visit. Has Tiro made your servants comfortable?’

‘There’s no need, my friend,’ replied Atticus. ‘By now they are accompanying my empty litter to my nephew’s house. I came in on foot, from the rear courtyard. I prefer for people not to know where I’m going, even if everyone is aware of our friendship. Well, what’s happening, then? Your last letter clearly led me to believe that there were more things unsaid than said.’

Cicero, who had embraced him when he walked in, now sat next to him. ‘Will you stay for lunch? I’ve had something prepared.’

‘No. I’m sorry. I won’t be able to stay, but I’ve come because I understood you needed to talk to me.’

‘Yes, you’re right. Listen. Some time ago I received a letter from Cassius Longinus.’

Atticus frowned.

‘An unusual letter that apparently didn’t make much sense. Its true meaning was hidden.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘The letter was completely banal, speaking of the most obvious things. A useless letter, that is, unless I was meant to read it in another way.’

‘That may be the case.’

‘You know that Tiro, my secretary, has developed a system of stenography that he uses to transcribe my speeches when I speak in public. He’s quite the expert at cryptography, so I had him interpret the text of the letter as though it were written in some sort of code.’

‘And?’

‘Titus, my friend, you know I’ve never wanted to involve you in situations that could put you in any difficulty. I know what you think and I respect your choices, so I will tell you nothing that would disturb you. What I will say is that there’s something big in the air. I can feel it, even though I don’t know exactly what it might be.’

‘I can easily imagine what you’re about to say. Tiro found another meaning in that letter?’

‘Yes.’

‘What?’

Cicero fell silent and looked deep into his friend’s eyes. There he saw a serene spirit, touched with a certain worry and coloured by the affection that his own words confirmed.

‘I came here in secret because I wanted you to be able to speak with me unreservedly. I’m not afraid and you know how important your friendship is for me. Speak freely. No one is listening and no one knows I’m here.’

‘If Tiro’s interpretation is correct, and I think it is, something important is in the offing. An event that will change the destiny of the republic. Someone has decided to keep me in the dark about it, but I’ll be expected to step in later, if I’ve understood correctly.’

‘You are the person who thwarted Catiline’s subversive plot, even though Brutus gives his father-in-law, Cato, credit for doing so in that piece he wrote. And I’m sure Caesar wasn’t happy about that. Anyone who exalts Cato offends him. Cato has already become the martyr of republican freedom, the man who preferred suicide to accepting tyranny. Am I close to the earth-shattering event you’re referring to?’

‘You are very close.’

‘But neither you nor I have the courage to talk about it.’

Cicero bowed his head without answering and Atticus respected his silence at first. But then he began speaking again.

‘If I understand correctly, you’re asking yourself whether it is best for you to accept the unspoken proposal to remain outside this event and then take the reins when everything is over, or whether it might not be better to steer events yourself, as you did when Catiline attempted to overthrow the government.’

‘That’s exactly it,’ replied Cicero. ‘The thought has been tormenting me.’

Atticus drew closer, moving his chair nearer to his friend’s, and looked intently into his face.

‘Let’s make something clear. Even if we don’t want to name this event, you and I are thinking of the very same thing: the only thing that could truly mark the start of a new epoch. What troubles you is that those in charge are neither capable nor experienced enough to ensure that their “solution” won’t provoke an even greater disaster. In the shadow of a great oak, only stunted saplings can grow. Am I right?’

‘I fear that you are. There may nonetheless be men among them who have not displayed outstanding capabilities yet, but who may well surprise us. And that would represent an even more serious problem.’

Atticus sighed. ‘When Alexander died, all of his friends became great kings. And what did they do? They dismembered his empire so each of them could have a little piece, after they’d finished tearing each other to shreds.’

‘I understand what you’re getting at and that’s exactly why I’m worried. Brutus. .’

‘Yes. . Brutus. You’ll have heard the phrase going around about him. Something that Caesar himself came up with.’

Upon hearing that name, Cicero gave a slight but perceptible start.

Atticus continued, ‘Yes, Caesar himself apparently said, “Brutus does not know what he wants, but he wants it badly.” ’

Atticus gave a bitter smile, then shook his head. ‘Stay out of this, my friend. Thank the gods that no one has approached you with a concrete proposal. I. .’

‘What?’ prompted Cicero anxiously.

‘I’ve been told. . well, nothing specific, mind you, but the information I’ve been given seems plausible. I’ll try to dig a little deeper and find out whether someone has an institutional role in mind for you should this. . event take place. I can’t do much more than that. I’m no politician, my friend, all I can do is try to understand. But if I can help you I will. Don’t make any move on your own. If I should learn where the danger is coming from or when the event may occur, I’ll let you know. I may not be able to communicate with you in person. Most probably you’ll receive a message with my seal. Inside you’ll find our usual password, in code. On that day, do not set foot outside your house, for any reason.’

Atticus rose to his feet and Cicero with him. The two men exchanged a firm embrace. They were united by their anxiety in such a critical moment, by their long friendship, by their faith in the same philosophical creed and by their nostalgia for the lost traditions and values of their homeland, which had been trampled by an avidity for power and money, by partisan hatred, by resentment and by revenge.

Atticus had always remained on the sidelines, had long decided to detach himself from that decline. He had a fatalistic bent and was calmly convinced that the chaotic component of history — always predominant — had taken the whiphand. The fragile forces of humankind had no hope of prevailing.