if they are going to—­I do believe—­[Looking left eagerly.  Trumpet Signal No. 17.] Assembly of Guard Details!  As sure as fate, they are going into camp here.  We girls will have a jolly time. [Jumping down.] Ha—­ha—­ha—­ha!  Let me see.  How shall I receive Captain Heartsease?  He deserves a court-martial, for he stole my lace handkerchief—­at Mrs. Grayson’s reception—­in Washington.  He was called away by orders to the West that very night, and we haven’t met since. [Sighs.] He’s been in lots of battles since then; I suppose he’s forgotten all about the handkerchief.  We girls, at home, don’t forget such things.  We aren’t in battles.  All we do is to—­to scrape lint and flirt with other officers.

Enter CAPTAIN HEARTSEASE, followed by COLONEL ROBERT ELLINGHAM; stops at gate.

HEARTSEASE.  This way, Colonel Ellingham. [They enter.  As they come down, HEARTSEASE stops suddenly, looking at JENNY; puts up his glasses.] Miss Buckthorn!

JENNY.  Captain Heartsease!

HEARTSEASE. [Very quietly and with perfect composure.] I am thunderstruck.  The unexpected sight of you has thrown me into a fever of excitement.

JENNY.  Has it? [Aside.] If he gets so excited as that in battle, it must be awful. [Aloud.] Colonel Ellingham! [Crossing to him.

ELLINGHAM.  Miss Buckthorn!  You are visiting my sister?  I am what may be called a visitor—­by force—­myself.

JENNY.  Oh!  You’re a prisoner!

ELLINGHAM.  I ventured too far within the Union lines to-night, and they have picked me up.  But Major Wilson has kindly accepted my parole, and I shall make the best of it.

JENNY.  Is Major Wilson in command of the regiment?

HEARTSEASE.  Yes.  Colonel West is to join us at this point, during the evening.

ELLINGHAM.  I am very glad you are here, Miss Buckthorn, with Gertrude.

JENNY.  Somebody here will be delighted to see you, Colonel.

ELLINGHAM.  My sister can hardly be pleased to see me as a prisoner.

JENNY.  Not your sister. [Passing him and crossing to veranda, turns and beckons to him.  She motions with her thumb over her shoulder.  He goes up the steps of the veranda and turns.

ELLINGHAM.  What do you mean?

JENNY.  I mean this—­[Reaching up her face, he leans down, placing his ear near her lips.]—­somebody else’s sister!  When she first sees you, be near enough to catch her.

ELLINGHAM.  I understand you!  Madeline! [Exit on veranda. JENNY runs up steps after him, stops and looks back at HEARTSEASE over the railing. HEARTSEASE takes a lace handkerchief from his pocket.

JENNY.  I do believe that’s my handkerchief. [A GUARD OF SENTRIES marches in and across stage in road.  The CORPORAL in command orders halt and a SENTRY to post, then marches GUARD out.  The SENTRY stands with his back to audience, afterwards moving out, appearing and disappearing during Act.