I have been living beyond my means.

Last year the canvass to get on the board of guardians of the Sibylline Books--in which that graceless son-in-law of Cicero's, Publius Dolabella, defeated me--cost a deal of money.

This year I have the consulship.

But it has taken every denarius I own, and more too.

All my estates are involved, so that it will require years to redeem them, in the ordinary way." "How extremely unfortunate!" sighed Claudia, looking dreadfully bored.
"If that was all I had to tell you," snapped back Lentulus, "I would not have disturbed your ladyship's repose.