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Fronto shows no loss of temper at the interference, nor shrinks

from stating his case with frankness; and Marcus, with

forbearance remarkable in a prince, does not command that his

friend be left unmolested, but merely stipulates for a fair trial

on the merits of the case.

[6] Ad. M. Caes., iii. 5.

Another example may be given from a letter of Fronto's[7] Here is

something else quarrelsome and querulous. I have sometimes found

fault with you in your absence somewhat seriously in the company

of a few of my most intimate friends: at times, for example, when

you mixt in society with a more solemn look than was fitting, or

would read books in the theatre or in a banquet; nor did I absent

myself from theatre or banquet when you did.[8] Then I used to

call you a hard man, no good company, even disagreeable,

sometimes, when anger got the better of me. But did any one else

in the same banquet speak against you, I could not endure to hear

it with equanimity. Thus it was easier for me to say something to

your disadvantage myself, than to hear others do it; just as I

could more easily bear to chastise my daughter Gratia, than to

see her chastised by another.'