HEARTSEASE.  He is here.

KERCHIVAL.  I should never have known him—­with his full beard and bronzed face.  His face was as smooth as a boy’s when I last met him in Charleston.

Enter LIEUTENANT FRANK BEDLOE; he stops, saluting.

FRANK.  You wished me to report to you, Colonel?

KERCHIVAL.  You have been assigned to the regiment during my absence.

FRANK.  Yes, sir. [KERCHIVAL moves to him and grasps his hand; looks into his eyes a moment before speaking.

KERCHIVAL.  Frank Haverill.

FRANK.  You—­you know me, sir?

KERCHIVAL.  I saw Mrs. Haverill while I was passing through Washington on Saturday.  She told me that you had escaped from prison in Richmond, and had re-entered the service.  She did not know then that you had been assigned to my regiment.  I received a letter from her, in Winchester, this morning, informing me of the fact, and asking for my good offices in your behalf.  But here is the letter. [Taking letter from wallet and giving it to him.] It is for you rather than for me.  I shall do everything I can for you, my dear fellow.

FRANK.  Thank you, sir. [Opens letter, dropping the envelope upon the table.] Kind, thoughtful and gentle to my faults, as ever—­[Looking at the letter.]—­and always thinking of my welfare.  My poor little wife, too, is under her protection.  Gentlemen, I beg of you not to reveal my secret to my father.

KERCHIVAL.  General Haverill shall know nothing from us, my boy; you have my word for that.

HEARTSEASE.  Nothing.

KERCHIVAL.  And he cannot possibly recognize you.  What with your full beard, and thinking as he does, that you are—­

FRANK.  That I am dead.  I am dead to him.  It would have been better if I had died.  Nothing but my death—­not even that—­can wipe out the disgrace which I brought upon his name.

HEARTSEASE. [Looking right.] General Haverill has arrived.

Enter GENERAL HAVERILL with a STAFF OFFICER.

FRANK.  My father!

HAVERILL. [Exchanging salutes with the three officers.  He turns to the STAFF OFFICER, giving him a paper and brief instructions in dumb show.  The OFFICER goes out over the incline.  Another STAFF OFFICER enters, salutes and hands him a paper, then stands up stage.] Ah!  The men are ready. [Looking at the paper.  Then to KERCHIVAL.] Colonel!  I have a very important matter to arrange with you; there is not a moment to be lost.  I will ask Captain Heartsease to remain. [FRANK salutes and starts up stage; HAVERILL looks at him, starting slightly; raises his hand to detain him.] One moment; your name!

HEARTSEASE.  Lieutenant Bedloe, General, of my own troop, and one of our best officers. [HAVERILL steps to FRANK, looking into his face a moment.

HAVERILL.  Pardon me! [Stepping down stage. FRANK moves up, stops and looks back at him. HAVERILL stands a moment in thought, covers his face with one hand, then draws up.] Colonel West!  We have a most dangerous piece of work for a young officer—­[FRANK starts joyfully.]—­to lead a party of men, whom I have already selected.  I cannot order an officer to undertake anything so nearly hopeless; he must be a volunteer.