THE PHYSICIAN.

Stop; I think she is waking....

MELISANDE.

Open the window;... open the window....

ARKEL

Shall I open this one, Melisande?

MELISANDE.

No, no; the great window ... the great window....  It is to see....

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.