indignation at it, but had greater indignation at the delivery of it to
others, as being laughed at by those that received it; insomuch that his
fellow tribunes made him the subject of their drollery; for they would
foretell that he would bring them some of his usual watchwords when he
was about to take the watchword from Caesar, and would thereby make him
ridiculous; on which accounts he took the courage of assuming certain
partners to him, as having just reasons for his indignation against
Caius. Now there was one Pompedius, a senator, and one who had gone
through almost all posts in the government, but otherwise an Epicurean,
and for that reason loved to lead an inactive life. Now Timidius, an
enemy of his, had informed Caius that he had used indecent reproaches
against him, and he made use of Quintilia for a witness to them; a
woman she was much beloved by many that frequented the theater, and
particularly by Pompedius, on account of her great beauty. Now this
woman thought it a horrible thing to attest to an accusation that
touched the life of her lover, which was also a lie. Timidius, however,
wanted to have her brought to the torture. Caius was irritated at this
reproach upon him, and commanded Cherea, without any delay, to torture
Quintilia, as he used to employ Cherea in such bloody matters, and those
that required the torture, because he thought he would do it the more
barbarously, in order to avoid that imputation of effeminacy which he
had laid upon him. But Quintilia, when she was brought to the rack, trod
upon the foot of one of her associates, and let him know that he
might be of good courage, and not be afraid of the consequence of her
tortures, for that she would bear them with magnanimity. Cherea tortured
this woman after a cruel manner; unwillingly indeed, but because he
could not help it. He then brought her, without being in the least moved
at what she had suffered, into the presence of Caius, and that in such a
state as was sad to behold; and Caius, being somewhat affected with the
sight of Quintilia, who had her body miserably disordered by the pains
she had undergone, freed both her and Pompedius of the crime laid to
their charge. He also gave her money to make her an honorable amends,
and comfort her for that maiming of her body which she had suffered, and
for her glorious patience under such insufferable torments.

6. This matter sorely grieved Cherea, as having been the cause, as far
as he cou