this speech as by an arrow, now
investigated his actions like a sagacious beast, inquiring of him, in
his own language, about different persons whom he knew: for instance,
where was this man or that man (mentioning some one of high reputation
and honour, or some very rich man, or some other person well known as
having filled some high office). And when he learnt that this man had
been hanged, that that one had been banished beyond the seas, and that a
third had killed himself or had expired under torture, he became
furiously angry, while Leo, who was at that time master of the offices,
added fuel to his passion--O shameful villany! Leo, it should be borne
in mind, was at this very time secretly aiming at the prefecture; and
had he obtained that office and authority, he would undoubtedly have
governed with such audacity, that the administration of Probus would in
comparison have been extolled as a model of justice and humanity.

11. So the emperor remained at Carnuntum; and during the three summer
months he occupied himself uninterruptedly in preparing arms and
magazines, in the hope that chance might afford him a good opportunity
of making use of them; intending to take a favourable season for
attacking the Quadi, who had lately caused an atrocious disturbance;
since in their chief town, Faustinus, the nephew of Juventius, the
prefect of the praetorium, who had attained the rank of military
secretary, was tortured and then put to death by the executioners, under
the very eyes of Probus; having been accused of slaying an ass in some
magical operation, as his enemies asserted; but he himself said it was
to use for strengthening his hair, which was beginning to fall off.

12. Another charge was also maliciously brought against him, namely,
that when a person of the name of Nigrinus had in jest asked him to make
him a secretary, he replied in ridicule of the man and his petition,
"Make me emperor if you wish to obtain that." And because some gave an
unfair interpretation to this jest, Faustinus himself, and Nigrinus, and
several other persons were put to death.

13. Accordingly, having sent forward Merobaudes with a strong force of
infantry under his command, and Sebastian for his colleague, to ravage
the districts of the barbarians with fire and sword, Valentinian
speedily moved his camp to Buda; and having with great rapidity made a
bridge of boats in order to guard against any sudden mishap, he crossed
the river in an