No doubts upon the validity of his engagement with
Vetranio ever entered his mind. He never imagined that powerful senator
could with perfect impunity deny him the impracticable assistance he had
demanded as his reward, and thrust him as an ignorant madman from his
palace gates. Firmly and sincerely he believed that Vetranio was so
satisfied with his readiness in pandering to his profligate designs, and
so dazzled by the prospect of the glory which would attend success in
the great enterprise, that he would gladly hold to the performance of
his promise whenever it should be required of him. In the meantime the
work was begun. Numerian was already, through his agency, watched by
the spies of a jealous and unscrupulous Church. Feuds, schisms,
treacheries, and dissensions marched bravely onward through the
Christian ranks. All things combined to make it certain that the time
was near at hand when, through his exertions and the friendly senator's
help, the restoration of Paganism might be assured.
With the widest diversity of pursuit and difference of design, there was
still a strange and mysterious analogy between the temporary positions
of Ulpius and Numerian.
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