It seemed as if collegiate rule had been introduced not for the protection of the people, but to facilitate breach of faith and despotism; they endured, however, what could not be changed.
But when in the following year the war was renewed, the word of the consul availed no longer.

It was not till Manius Valerius was nominated dictator that the farmers submitted, partly from their awe of the higher magisterial authority, partly from their confidence in his friendly feeling to the popular cause--for the Valerii were one of those old patrician clans by whom government was esteemed a privilege and an honour, not a source of gain.

The victory was again with the Roman standards; but when the victors came home and the dictator submitted his proposals of reform to the senate, they were thwarted by its obstinate opposition.

The army still stood in its array, as usual, before the gates of the city.

When the news arrived, the long threatening storm burst forth; the -esprit de corps- and the compact military organization carried even the timid and the indifferent along with the movement.