HEARTSEASE.  Miss Buckthorn!  I owe you an apology.  After I left your side, the last time we met, I found your handkerchief in my possession.  I assure you, it was an accident.

JENNY. [Aside, pouting.] I thought he intended to steal it. [Aloud.] That was more than a year ago. [Then brightly.] Do you always carry it with you?

HEARTSEASE.  Always; there. [Indicating his left breast pocket.

JENNY.  Next to his heart!

HEARTSEASE.  Shall I return it to you?

JENNY.  Oh, if a lace handkerchief can be of any use to you, Captain, during the hardships of a campaign—­you—­you may keep that one.  You soldiers have so few comforts—­and it’s real lace.

HEARTSEASE.  Thank you. [Returning handkerchief to his pocket.] Miss Buckthorn, your papa is in command of the Nineteenth Army Corps.  He doesn’t like me.

JENNY.  I know it.

HEARTSEASE.  But you are in command of him,

JENNY.  Yes; I always have been.

HEARTSEASE.  If ever you decide to assume command of any other man,
I—­I trust you will give me your orders.

JENNY. [Aside, starting back.] If that was intended for a proposal, it’s the queerest-shaped one I ever heard of. [Aloud.] Do you mean, Captain, that—­that you—­I must command myself now. [Shouldering her parasol.] ’Bout—­face!  March! [Turning squarely around, marches up and out on veranda.

HEARTSEASE.  I have been placed on waiting orders. [Stepping up and looking after her; then very quietly and without emotion.] I am in an agony of suspense.  The sight of that girl always arouses the strongest emotions of my nature.

[Enter COLONEL KERCHIVAL WEST, looking at paper in his hand.  The SENTINEL, in road, comes to a salute.]

Colonel West!

KERCHIVAL.  Captain!

HEARTSEASE.  You have rejoined the regiment sooner than we expected.

KERCHIVAL. [Looking at paper.] Yes; General Haverill is to meet me here at seven o’clock.  Major Wilson tells me that some of your company captured Colonel Robert Ellingham, of the Tenth Virginia.

HEARTSEASE.  He is here under parole.

KERCHIVAL.  And this is the old Ellingham homestead. [Aside.] Gertrude herself is here, I suppose; almost a prisoner to me, like her brother; and my troops surround their home.  She must, indeed, feel that I am her enemy now.  Ah, well, war is war. [Aloud.] By the bye, Heartsease, a young Lieutenant, Frank Bedloe, has joined our troop?

HEARTSEASE.  Yes; an excellent young officer.

KERCHIVAL.  I sent for him as I came through the camp.  Lieutenant Frank
“Bedloe” is the son of General Haverill.

HEARTSEASE.  Indeed!  Under an assumed name!

KERCHIVAL.  He was supposed to have been killed in New Orleans more than a year ago; but he was taken prisoner instead. [Looking left.