BUCKTHORN.  Ah! [Still reading with matches.] Colonel! [Rising.] The enemy has a new movement on foot, and General Sheridan has left the army!  Listen! [Reads from despatches with matches.] “Watch for a signal from Three Top Mountain to-night.”

KERCHIVAL.  We hope to be able to read that signal ourselves.

BUCKTHORN.  Yes, I know.  Be on your guard.  I will speak with General Haverill, and then ride over to General Wright’s headquarters.  Keep us informed.

KERCHIVAL.  I will, General. [Saluting. BUCKTHORN salutes and exit.] “Watch for a signal from Three Top Mountain to-night.” [Looking up at mountain.] We shall be helpless to read it unless Lieutenant Bedloe is successful.  I only hope the poor boy is not lying dead, already, in those dark woods beyond the Ford. [Looking off; turns down stage, taking the miniature from his pocket.] How came Edward Thornton to have this portrait of Mrs. Haverill in his possession? [GERTRUDE runs in on veranda.

GERTRUDE.  Oh, Colonel West!  He’s here! [Looks back.] They are coming this way with him.

KERCHIVAL.  Him!  Who?

GERTRUDE.  Jack.

KERCHIVAL.  Jack!

GERTRUDE.  My own horse!

KERCHIVAL.  Ah, I remember!  He and I were acquainted in Charleston.

GERTRUDE.  Two troopers are passing through the camp with him.

KERCHIVAL.  He is not in your possession?

GERTRUDE.  He was captured at the battle of Fair Oaks, but I recognized him the moment I saw him; and I am sure he knew me, too, when I went up to him.  He whinnied and looked so happy.  You are in command here—­[Running down.]—­you will compel them to give him up to me?

KERCHIVAL.  If he is in my command, your pet shall be returned to you.  I’ll give one of my own horses to the Government as a substitute, if necessary.

GERTRUDE.  Oh, thank you, my dear Kerchival! [Going to him; he takes her hand, looking into her eyes.] I—­I could almost—­

KERCHIVAL.  Can you almost confess, at last, Gertrude, that you—­love me? [Tenderly; she draws back, hanging her head, but leaving her hand in his.] Have I been wrong?  I felt that that confession was hovering on your tongue when we were separated in Charleston.  Have I seen that confession in your eyes since we met again to-day—­even among the angry flashes which they have shot out at me?  During all this terrible war—­in the camp and the trench—­in the battle—­I have dreamed of a meeting like this.  You are still silent? [Her hand is still in his.  She is looking down.  A smile steals over her face, and she raises her eyes to his, taking his hand in both her own.

GERTRUDE.  Kerchival!  I—­[Enter BENSON. She looks around over her shoulder. KERCHIVAL looks up stage.  A TROOPER, leading the large black horse of Act I, now caparisoned in military saddle, bridle, &c., follows BENSON across; another TROOPER follows.] Jack! [She runs up stage, meeting horse. KERCHIVAL turns.