Long years of noble, self-sacrificing zeal and arduous service,
crowned with conquests of supreme importance, had then been the only
acknowledged title to the prize. It was scarcely proper that the same
distinctions which had hitherto been awarded for the acquisition of the
most valuable provinces should be granted for the annexation of a mere
strip of worthless territory upon the extreme borders of the
empire--wild, rugged, and inhospitable, and inhabited by nomadic tribes,
who could only be brought under a nominal authority, and who would never
prove otherwise than turbulent and unprofitable subjects. Nor was it a
matter to be mentioned with especial laudation that Sergius Vanno had
succeeded in repressing, with overwhelming force, a revolt in a few of
the AEgean islands. If exploits such as these were to be so liberally
recompensed, what honors could there be left to bestow upon deeds of
acknowledged brilliancy and importance?
So, with cautious discrimination, spoke some of the senators; and so, in
the secrecy of their hearts, most of them thought. But against all this
were brought to bear, not only the influence which Sergius naturally
commanded as a patrician of the highest rank, but also the far more
powerful pressure of popular clamor. Sergius was a favorite with the
people.
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