Chapter CLXXXI: Act II: Scene IV. A fountain in the park. Pelléas and Mélisande

have arrived at this thickly shaded spot. Is _Mélisande_ a Melusine-like creature? Water attracts her wonderfully. She bends over her reflection. Because she cannot reach it, she is tempted to play with the ring that _Golo_ sent her. It slips from her hand and sinks.

Scene V. There must have been some peculiar condition attached to the ring. At the same hour that it fell in the fountain _Golo's_ horse shied while hunting so that he was hurt and now lies wounded in bed. _Mélisande_ is taking care of him. She tells _Golo_ that she did not feel well the day before. She is oppressed by a certain foreboding, she does not know what it is. _Golo_ seizes her hands to console her and sees that the ring is missing. Then he drives her out into the night to look for it. "Sooner would I give away everything I have, my fortune and goods, rather than have lost the precious ring." _Pelléas_ will help her.

Scene VI. Before a grotto in the rocks. _Mélisande_ has deceived _Golo_ by telling him that the ring has slipped from her hand into the sea. So _Pelléas_ must now lead her to this grotto in order that she may know at least the place in which she can claim that she lost the ring. A dreadful place in which the shudder of death stalks.