...

ARKEL.

Is not the sea air too cold to-night? Do it; do it....

MELISANDE.

Thanks.... Is it sunset?

ARKEL.

Yes; it is sunset on the sea; it is late.--How are you, Melisande?

MELISANDE.

Well, well.--Why do you ask that? I have never been better.--And yet
it seems to me I know something....

ARKEL.

What sayest thou?--I do not understand thee....

MELISANDE.

Neither do I understand all I say, you see.... I do not know what I
am saying.... I do not know what I know.... I no longer say what I
would....

ARKEL.

Why, yes! why, yes!... I am quite happy to hear thee speak so; thou
hast raved a little these last days, and one no longer understood
thee.... But now all that is far away....

MELISANDE.

I do not know....--Are you all alone in the room, grandfather?

ARKEL.

No; there is the physician, besides, who cured thee....

MELISANDE.

Ah!...

ARKEL.

And then there is still some one else....

MELISANDE.

Who is it?

ARKEL.

It is ... thou must not be frightened.... He does not wish thee the
least harm, be sure.... If thou'rt afraid, he will go away.... He is
very unhappy....

MELISANDE.

Who is it?

ARKEL.

It is thy ... thy husband.... It is Golaud....

MELISANDE.

Golaud is here? Why does he not come by me?

GOLAUD (_dragging himself toward the bed._)

Melisande ... Melisande....

MELISANDE.

Is it you, Golaud? I should hardly recognize you any more.... It is
the evening sunlight in my eyes.... Why look you on the walls? You
have grown thin and old.... Is it a long while since we saw each
other?

GOLAUD (_to_ ARKEL _and the_ PHYSICIAN).

Will you withdraw a moment, if you please, if you please?... I will
leave the door wide open.... One moment only.... I would say something
to her; else I could not die.... Will you?--Go clear to the end of
the corridor; you can come back at once, at once.... Do not refuse
me this.... I am a wretch.... [_Exit_ ARKEL _and the_
PHYSICIAN.]--Melisande, hast thou pity on me, as I have pity on
thee?... Melisande?... Dost thou forgive me, Melisande?...

MELISANDE.

Yes, yes, I do forgive thee.... What must I forgive?...

GOLAUD.

I have wrought thee so much ill, Melisande.... I cannot tell thee the
ill I have wrought thee.... But I see it, I see it so clearly to-day
... since the first day.... And all I did not know till now leaps in
my eyes to-night.... And it is all my fault, all that has happened,
all that will happ