n.--God knows
where that beast has led me. And yet I thought I had wounded him to
death; and here are traces of blood. But now I have lost sight of him;
I believe I am lost myself--my dogs can no longer find me--I shall
retrace my steps....--I hear weeping.... Oh! oh! what is there yonder
by the water's edge?... A little girl weeping by the water's edge?
[_He coughs._]--She does not hear me. I cannot see her face. [_He
approaches and touches_ MELISANDE _on the shoulder._] Why weepest
thou? [MELISANDE _trembles, starts up, and would flee._]--Do not be
afraid. You have nothing to fear. Why are you weeping here all alone?

MELISANDE.

Do not touch me! do not touch me!

GOLAUD.

Do not be afraid.... I will not do you any.... Oh, you are beautiful!

MELISANDE.

Do not touch me! do not touch me! or I throw myself in the water!...

GOLAUD.

I will not touch you.... See, I will stay here, against the tree. Do
not be afraid. Has any one hurt you?

MELISANDE

Oh! yes! yes! yes!... [_She sobs profoundly._]

GOLAUD.

Who has hurt you?

MELISANDE.

Every one! every one!

GOLAUD. What hurt have they done you?

MELISANDE.

I will not tell! I cannot tell!...

GOLAUD.

Come; do not weep so. Whence come you?

MELISANDE.

I have fled!... fled ... fled....

GOLAUD.

Yes; but whence have you fled?

MELISANDE.

I am lost!... lost!... Oh! oh! lost here.... I am not of this
place.... I was not born there....

GOLAUD.

Whence are you? Where were you born?

MELISANDE.

Oh! oh! far away from here!... far away ... far away....

GOLAUD.

What is it shining so at the bottom of the water?

MELISANDE.

Where?--Ah! it is the crown he gave me. It fell as I was weeping....

GOLAUD.

A crown?--Who was it gave you a crown?--I will try to get it....

MELISANDE.

No, no; I will have no more of it! I will have no more of it!... I had
rather die ... die at once....

GOLAUD.

I could easily pull it out. The water is not very deep.

MELISANDE.

I will have no more of it! If you take it out, I throw myself in its
place!...

GOLAUD.

No, no; I will leave it there. It could be reached without difficulty,
nevertheless. It seems very beautiful.--Is it long since you fled?

MELISANDE.

Yes, yes!... Who are you?

GOLAUD.

I am Prince Golaud,--grandson of Arkel, the old King of Allemonde....

MELISANDE.

Oh, you have gray hairs already....

GOLAUD.

Yes; some, here, by the temples....

MELI