MELISANDE.

Would you like a little water?

GOLAUD.

Thanks, thanks; I am not thirsty.

MELISANDE.

Would you like another pillow?...  There is a little spot of blood on this.

GOLAUD.

No, no; it is not worth while.  I bled at the mouth just now.  I shall bleed again perhaps....

MELISANDE.

Are you quite sure?...  You are not suffering too much?

GOLAUD.

No, no; I have seen a good many more like this.  I was made of iron and blood....  These are not the little bones of a child; do not alarm yourself....

MELISANDE.

Close your eyes and try to sleep.  I shall stay here all night....

GOLAUD.

No, no; I do not wish you to tire yourself so.  I do not need anything; I shall sleep like a child....  What is the matter, Melisande?  Why do you weep all at once?...

MELISANDE (bursting into tears).

I am ...  I am ill too....

GOLAUD.

Thou art ill?...  What ails thee, then; what ails thee, Melisande?...

MELISANDE.

I do not know....  I am ill here....  I had rather tell you to-day; my lord, my lord, I am not happy here....

GOLAUD.

Why, what has happened, Melisande?  What is it?...  And I suspecting nothing....  What has happened?...  Some one has done thee harm?...  Some one has given thee offence?

MELISANDE.

No, no; no one has done me the least harm....  It is not that....  It is not that....  But I can live here no longer.  I do not know why....  I would go away, go away!...  I shall die if I am left here....

GOLAUD.

But something has happened?  You must be hiding something from me?...  Tell me the whole truth, Melisande....  Is it the King?...  Is it my mother?...  Is it Pelleas?...

MELISANDE.

No, no; it is not Pelleas.  It is not anybody....  You could not understand me....

GOLAUD.

Why should I not understand?...  If you tell me nothing, what will you have me do?...  Tell me everything and I shall understand everything.

MELISANDE.

I do not know myself what it is....  I do not know just what it is....  If I could tell you, I would tell you....  It is something stronger than I....

GOLAUD.

Come; be reasonable, Melisande.—­What would you have me do?—­You are no longer a child.—­Is it I whom you would leave?

MELISANDE.

Oh! no, no; it is not that....  I would go away with you....  It is here that I can live no longer....  I feel that I shall not live a long while....

GOLAUD.

But there must be a reason nevertheless.  You will be thought mad.  It will be thought child’s dreams.—­Come, is it Pelleas, perhaps?—­I think he does not often speak to you.

MELISANDE.

Yes, yes; he speaks to me sometimes.  I think he does not like me; I have seen it in his eyes....  But he speaks to me when he meets me....