The Senate, or the people, in the next year could have restored to the men their liberty, and compensated them for their property.

Cicero was determined that the men should die.

They had not obeyed him by leaving the city, and he was convinced that while they lived the conspiracy would live also.

He fully understood the danger, and resolved to meet it.

He replied to Caesar, and with infinite skill refrained from the expression of any strong opinion, while he led his hearers to the conviction that death was necessary.