der? You will see the sky every day.--And then, next
year.... Come, give me your hand; give me both your little hands. [_He
takes her hands._] Oh! oh! these little hands that I could crush like
flowers....--Hold! where is the ring I gave you?

MELISANDE.

The ring?

GOLAUD.

Yes; our wedding-ring, where is it?

MELISANDE.

I think.... I think it has fallen....

GOLAUD.

Fallen?--Where has it fallen?--You have not lost it?

MELISANDE.

No, no; it fell ... it must have fallen.... But I know where it is....

GOLAUD.

Where is it?

MELISANDE.

You know ... you know well ... the grotto by the seashore?...

GOLAUD.

Yes.

MELISANDE.

Well then, it is there.... It must be it is there.... Yes, yes; I
remember.... I went there this morning to pick up shells for little
Yniold.... There were some very fine ones.... It slipped from my
finger ... then the sea came in; and I had to go out before I had
found it.

GOLAUD.

Are you sure it is there?

MELISANDE.

Yes, yes; quite sure.... I felt it slip ... then, all at once, the
noise of the waves....

GOLAUD.

You must go look for it at once.

MELISANDE.

I must go look for it at once?

GOLAUD.

Yes.

MELISANDE.

Now?--at once?--in the dark?

GOLAUD.

Now, at once, in the dark. You must go look for it at once. I had
rather have lost all I have than have lost that ring. You do not know
what it is. You do not know whence it came. The sea will be very high
to-night. The sea will come to take it before you.... Make haste. You
must go look for it at once....

MELISANDE.

I dare not.... I dare not go alone....

GOLAUD.

Go, go with no matter whom. But you must go at once, do you
understand?--Make haste; ask Pelleas to go with you.

MELISANDE.

Pelleas?--With Pelleas?--But Pelleas would not....

GOLAUD.

Pelleas will do all you ask of him. I know Pelleas better than you do.
Go, go; hurry! I shall not sleep until I have the ring.

MELISANDE.

Oh! oh! I am not happy!... I am not happy!...
[_Exit, weeping._

SCENE III.--_Before a grotto._

_Enter_ PELLEAS _and_ MELISANDE.

[_Speaking with great agitation._] Yes; it is here; we are there. It
is so dark you cannot tell the entrance of the grotto from the rest
of the night.... There are no stars on this side. Let us wait till
the moon has torn through that great cloud; it will light up the whole
grotto, and then w