Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/63

]

[With suppressed laughter.] To Athens! Then, oh man of wealth, you do not own your own riches.

[Stops.] How so?

Is it the part of a wise man to take owls to Athens?

My owls cannot endure the church-lights here in the imperial city. [To one of the young men.] Give me your hand, Sallust.

[Is about to descend the steps.

[Half-way down the steps, whispers.] By the gods, it is he!

He?

On my life, 'tis he! I know him;—I have seen him with Hekebolius.

Ah!

[''He looks at Julian with furtive intentness; then goes a step towards him and says'':

You smiled just now. At what did you smile?

When you complained of the church-lights, I wondered whether it were not rather the imperial light of the lecture-halls that shone too bright in your eyes.