The intention was that he should be driven out of Rome by personal enmity.

Nothing is said in any of these letters of the excuse to be used, though he knew well what that excuse was to be.

He was to be charged by the Patrician Tribune with having put Roman citizens to death in opposition to the law.

But there arises at this time no question whether he had or had not been justified in what he, as Consul, had done to Lentulus and the others.

Would Clodius be able to rouse a mob against him?
and, if so, would Caesar assist Clodius?
or would Pompey who still loomed to his eyes as the larger of the two men?
He had ever been the friend of Pompey, and Pompey had promised him all manner of assistance; but he knew already that Pompey would turn upon him.