And none the less—perhaps all the more—you held aloof——?

Libanius.

Headache and weighty business——

Julian.

Ah, Libanius, in bygone days you were not so chary of your presence.

Libanius.

I come where I am bidden. Ought I to be intrusive? Would you have me stand in the way of the Emperor’s much-honoured Maximus?

Julian.

Maximus never appears at court.

Libanius.