Letter
CVII.
2369
To the Widow Julitta
.
2370
I was
grieved to find on
reading your ladyship’s letter that you are involved in the same
difficulties. What is to be done to men who show such a shifty
character, saying now one thing now another and never abiding in the
same pledges? If, after the promises made in my presence, and in
that of the ex-prefect, he now tries to shorten the time of grace as
though nothing had been said, he does seem to have lost, as far as I am
concerned, all sense of shame. Nevertheless I wrote to him,
rebuking him, and reminding him of his promises. I wrote also to
Helladius, who is of the household of the prefect, that information
might be given through him about your affairs. I hesitated myself
to make so free with an officer of such importance, on account of my
never having yet written to him about my own private affairs and my
fearing some adverse decision from him, great men, as you know, being
easily annoyed about such matters. If, however, any good is to be
done in the matter, it will be through Helladius, an excellent man,
well disposed towards me, fearing God, and having perfectly free access
to the prefect. The Holy One is able to deliver you from all
affliction, if only truly and sincerely we fix all our hope on
Him.
2369
Placed in
372.
2370
On the
pressure put upon her by the guardian of her heirs.