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.
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.
GERVASE. Melisande, if this were Fairyland, or if we were knights and ladies in some old romance, would you trust yourself to me?
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?
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?
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.
MELISANDE (holding out her hand to him). Ah!
GERVASE. May I kiss your hands, Melisande?
GERVASE. May I kiss your lips, Melisande?
MELISANDE (proudly). Who shall, if not my lord?
GERVASE. Melisande! (He touches her lips with his.)
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.
GERVASE. It is no dream, Melisande. Or if it is a dream, then in my dream I love you, and if we are awake, then awake I love you. I love you if this is Fairyland, and if there is no Fairyland, then my love will make a faery land of the world for you. For I love you, Melisande.