Marcel. The friends find that they have not sufficient money to pay
for their supper, so they carry off Musetta and leave their bills to
be paid by Alcindoro.


ACT III


Months have elapsed, bringing joy and misery to Rudolph and Mimi.
Rudolph loves Mimi passionately, but is consumed with jealousy. On a
wintry day, Marcel is seen leaving a tavern near the Gates of Paris.
He meets Mimi; she looks pale and haggard. She asks Marcel to help her
and tells him of Rudolph's love and jealousy, explaining that she must
leave him. Rudolph now comes upon the scene and not seeing Mimi tells
of all the miseries of their lives; how he loves her and believes her
to be dying of consumption. Mimi's cough betrays her and although she
says good-bye to Rudolph they find they cannot part and determine to
await the spring. Meanwhile Musetta and Marcel have a violent quarrel.


ACT IV


Marcel and Rudolph are now living together in their attic-studio.
Musetta and Mimi have left them. They are seemingly working, but their
thoughts wander towards the women they love. Schaunard and Colline
enter with rolls and a herring for their meal. They have a wild time
and are dancing and singing when Musetta enters and tells them that
Mimi is outside so weak and ill that she can go no further. They make
up a bed on the couch for her and bring her in. She clings to Rudolph