MIMI.  No!  Nothing!

RUD.  You are quite pale!

MIMI. (coughing) My breath—­’tis the staircase—­

(Swoons, and RUDOLPH has hardly time to support her and place her on a chair.  She lets fall her candlestick and key.)

RUD.  What can I do to aid her?

(Fetches some water, and sprinkles her face.)

Ah! this!  How very pale her face is! (Mimi revives) Do you feel better?

MIMI.  Yes.

RUD.  Here ’tis very chilly. 
Nearer the fire be seated an instant.
(conducting her to a chair near the tire)
A little wine?

MIMI.  Thank you.

RUD. (giving her a glass and pouring out some wine) For you.

MIMI.  Not so much, please!

RUD.  Like this?

MIMI.  Thank you. (she drinks)

RUD.  How lovely a maiden.

MIMI.  Now please allow me to light my candle, I’m feeling much better.

RUD.  What, so quickly?

(RUDOLPH lights the candle and gives it to MIMI.)

MIMI.  Thank you.  Now, good evening.

RUD.  So, good evening.

(Accompanies her to the door, and then returns quickly to his work.)

MIMI. (re-entering, stops on the threshold)
Oh! how stupid!  How stupid! 
The key of my poor chamber,
Where can I have left it?

RUD.  Come, stand not in the doorway: 
Your candle is flickering in the wind.

(Mimi’s light goes out.)

MIMI.  Good gracious!  Please light it just once more!

(RUDOLPH runs with his candle, but, as he nears the door, his light, too, is blown out, and the room remains in darkness.)

RUD.  Oh, dear!  Now there’s mine gone out, too!

MIMI.  Ah! and the key—­where can it be?

(Groping about, she reaches the table and deposits the candlestick.)

RUD.  What a nuisance! (He finds himself near the door and fastens it.)

MIMI.  I’m so sorry.

RUD.  Where can it be?

MIMI.  You have an importunate neighbor,
Pray, forgive your tiresome little neighbor.

RUD.  Nothing, I assure you.

MIMI.  Pray, forgive your tiresome neighbor.

RUD.  Do not mention it, I pray you.

MIMI.  Look for it.

RUD.  I’m looking.

(Looks for the key on the floor; sliding over it, he knocks against the table, deposits his candlestick, and searches for the key with his hands on the floor.)

MIMI.  Where can it be?

(Finds the key, lets an exclamation escape, then checks himself and puts the key in his pocket.)

RUD.  Ah!

MIMI.  Have you found it?

RUD.  No.

MIMI.  I think so.

RUD.  In very truth.

MIMI.  Found it?

RUD.  Not yet.

(Feigns to search, but guided by Mimi’S voice and movements, approaches her; as Mimi is stooping his hand meets hers, which he clasps.)