mother Geneviève and his little son Yniold (the child of his first wife,
now dead), lives with his aged father, Arkël, king of Allemonde. Here,
too, lives Golaud's young half-brother, Pelléas--for they are not sons
of the same father. Half a year has passed, and it is spring. Geneviève
reads to her father, the ancient Arkël, a letter sent by Golaud to
Pelléas. After recounting the circumstances of his meeting with
Mélisande, Golaud continues: "It is now six months since I married her,
and I know as little of her past as on the day we met. Meanwhile, dear
Pelléas, you whom I love more than a brother, ... make ready for our
return. I know that my mother will gladly pardon me; but I dread the
King, in spite of all his kindness. If, however, he will consent to
receive her as if she were his own daughter, light a lamp at the summit
of the tower overlooking the sea, upon the third night after you receive
this letter. I shall be able to see it from our vessel. If I see no
light, I shall pass on and shall return no more." They decide to receive
Golaud and his child-bride, although the marriage has prevented a union
which, for political reasons, Arkël had arranged for his grandson.

Again the scene changes. Mélisande and Geneviève are walking together in
the gardens, and they are joined by Pelléas. "We shall have a storm
to-night," he says, "yet it is so calm now.... One might embark
unwittingly and come back no more." They watch the departure of a great
ship that is leaving the port, the ship that brought Golaud and his
young wife. "Why does she sail to-night?... She may be wrecked," says
Mélisande.... "The night comes quickly," observes Pelléas. A silence
falls between them. "It is time to go in," says Geneviève. "Pelléas,
show the way to Mélisande. I must go 'tend to little Yniold," and she
leaves them alone. "Will you let me take your hand?" says Pelléas to
Mélisande. Her hands are full of flowers, she responds. He will hold her
arm, he says, for the road is steep. He tells her that he has had a