MUS. (taking the others aside and whispering to them) I heard them
saying that Mimi
Had left the rich old viscount;
And now was almost dying. 
Ah! but where?  After searching,
I met her alone just now,
Almost dead with exhaustion. 
She murmured:  “I’m dying! dying! 
But listen; I want to die near him. 
Maybe he’s waiting! 
Take me thither, Musetta!”

MAR.  Hush! (MUSETTA moves farther away from MIMI.)

MIMI.  I feel so much better. 
All here seems just the same as ever.
(with a sweet smile)
Ah!  It is all so pleasant here! 
Saved from sadness,
All is gladness;
Once again new life is mine!

RUD.  Lips delightful, speak again to me! 
Once more enchant me!

MIMI.  Ah! beloved!  Ah! leave me not!

MUS. (aside to the others) What is there to give her?

MAR. and COL.  Nothing!

MUS.  No coffee? no wine?

MAR. (in great dejection) Nothing; the larder’s empty.

SCH. (looking closely at Mimi) In an hour she’ll be dead!

MIMI.  I feel so cold! 
If I had but my muff here! 
My poor hands are simply frozen! 
How shall I get them warm?
(Mimi coughs; Rudolph takes her hands in his and chafes them.)

RUD.  In mine, in mine, love! 
Silence! for speaking tires you.

MIMI.  Tis coughing tires me. 
I’m used to that, though.
(seeing RUDOLPH’S friends, she calls them by name, when they hasten
to her side)
Good-morrow, Marcel! 
Schaunard, Colline, good-morrow! 
All are here, as I see, glad to welcome Mimi.

RUD.  Hush!  Mimi, do not talk.

MIMI.  I’ll speak low; don’t be frightened.

(SCHAUNARD and COLLINE mournfully withdraw; the former sits at the table, burying his face in his hands, the latter is a prey to sad thoughts.)

MIMI. (motioning Marcel to approach) Marcel, now believe me,
A good girl is Musetta.

MAR. (giving Musetta his hand) I know, I know.

MUS. (drawing Marcel away from Mimi, takes off her earrings and gives them to him as she whispers) Look here! sell them, And buy some tonic for her—­ Send for a doctor! (Mimi gradually grows drowsy; Rudolph takes a chair and sits down beside the bed.)

RUD.  Keep quiet.

MIMI.  You will not leave me?

RUD.  No, no! (MARCEL is about to go, when Musetta stops him and takes him still further from Mimi.)

MUS.  Stay, listen!  Maybe, what she has asked us
Will be her last request on earth, little darling! 
I’ll go for the muff—­I’ll come with you.

MAR.  How good you are, Musetta!

(MUSETTA and MARCEL hastily go out.)