He had advocated the employment of Pompey in the East, and had defended Cornelius.

He was well acquainted with the history of the Republic; but he had probably never asked himself the question whether it was in mortal peril, and if so, whether it might possibly be saved.

In his Consulship he did do so; and, seeing less of the Republic than we can see now, told himself that it was possible.
The stories told to us of Catiline's conspiracy by Sallust and by Cicero are so little conflicting that we can trust them both.

Trusting them both, we are justified in believing that we know the truth.

We are here concerned only with the part which Cicero took.