MELISANDE.  How wonderful that would be.

GERVASE.  Perhaps we are dreaming now.  But is it your dream or my dream, Melisande?

MELISANDE (after thinking it out).  I think I would rather it were your dream, Gervase.  For then I should be in it, and that would mean that you had been thinking of me.

GERVASE.  Then it shall be my dream, Melisande.

MELISANDE.  Let it be a long one, my dear.

GERVASE.  For ever and for ever.

MELISANDE (dreamily).  Oh, I know that it is only a dream, and that presently we shall wake up; or else that you will go away and I will go away, too, and we shall never meet again; for in the real world, what could I be to you, or you to me?  So go on pretending.

(He stands up and faces her.)

GERVASE.  Melisande, if this were Fairyland, or if we were knights and ladies in some old romance, would you trust yourself to me?

MELISANDE.  So very proudly.

GERVASE.  You would let me come to your father’s court and claim you over all your other suitors, and fight for you, and take you away with me?

MELISANDE.  If this were Fairyland, yes.

GERVASE.  You would trust me?

MELISANDE.  I would trust my lord.

GERVASE (smiling at her).  Then I will come for the Princess this afternoon. (With sudden feeling) Ah, how can I keep away now that I have seen the Princess?

MELISANDE (shyly—­happily).  When you saw me last night, did you know that you would see me again?

GERVASE.  I have been waiting for you here.

MELISANDE.  How did you know that I would come?

GERVASE.  On such a morning—­in such a place—­how could the loved one not be here?

MELISANDE (looking away).  The loved one?

GERVASE.  I saw you last night.

MELISANDE (softly).  Was that enough?

GERVASE.  Enough, yes.  Enough?  Oh no, no, no!

MELISANDE (nodding).  I will wait for you this afternoon.

GERVASE.  And you will come away with me?  Out into the world with me? 
Over the hills and far away with me?

MELISANDE (softly).  Over the hills and far away.

GERVASE (going to her).  Princess!

MELISANDE.  Not Princess.

GERVASE.  Melisande!

MELISANDE (holding out her hand to him).  Ah!

GERVASE.  May I kiss your hands, Melisande?

MELISANDE.  They are my lord’s to kiss.

GERVASE (kissing them).  Dear hands.

MELISANDE.  Now I shall love them, too.

GERVASE.  May I kiss your lips, Melisande?

MELISANDE (proudly).  Who shall, if not my lord?

GERVASE.  Melisande! (He touches her lips with his.)

MELISANDE (breaking away from him).  Oh!

GERVASE (triumphantly).  I love you, Melisande!  I love you!

MELISANDE (wonderingly).  Why didn’t I wake up when you kissed me?  We are still here.  The dream goes on.