less ill than he thinks....

PÉLLÉAS

His letter is so sad you can see death between the lines.... He says
he knows the very day when death must come.... He tells me I can
arrive before it if I will, but that there is no more time to lose.
The journey is very long, and if I await Golaud's return, it will be
perhaps too late....

ARKËL.

Thou must wait a little while, nevertheless.... We do not know what
this return has in store for us. And besides, is not thy father here,
above us, more sick perhaps than thy friend.... Couldst thou choose
between the father and the friend?... [_Exit._

GENEVIÈVE.

Have a care to keep the lamp lit from this evening, Pélléas....

[_Exeunt severally._




SCENE IV.--_Before the castle. Enter_ GENEVIÈVE _and_ MÉLISANDE.


MÉLISANDE.