But Cicero would not break the law.

It has been hinted rather than stated that he, like other orators of the day, had his price.

He himself tells us that he took nothing; and no instance has been adduced that he had ever done so.

He is free enough in accusing Hortensius of having accepted a beautiful statuette, an ivory sphinx of great value.

What he knew of Hortensius, Hortensius would have known of him, had it been there to know; and what Hortensius or others had heard would certainly have been told.