KERCHIVAL.  Confound Jack!  That infernal horse was always in my way!

GERTRUDE. [With her arm about her horse’s neck.] My darling old fellow!  Is he not beautiful, Kerchival?  They have taken good care of him.  How soft his coat is!

KERCHIVAL.  Benson, explain this!

BENSON.  I was instructed to show this horse and his leader through the lines, sir.

KERCHIVAL.  What are your orders, my man? [Moving up, the TROOPER hands him a paper.  He moves a few steps down, reading it.

GERTRUDE.  You are to be mine again, Jack, mine! [Resting her cheek against the horse’s head and patting it.] The Colonel has promised it to me.

KERCHIVAL.  Ah! [With a start, as he reads the paper. GERTRUDE raises her head and looks at him.] This is General Sheridan’s horse, on his way to Winchester, for the use of the General when he returns from Washington.

GERTRUDE.  General Sheridan’s horse?  He is mine!

KERCHIVAL.  I have no authority to detain him.  He must go on.

GERTRUDE.  I have hold of Jack’s bridle, and you may order your men to take out their sabres and cut my hand off.

KERCHIVAL. [Approaches her and gently takes her hand as it holds the bridle.] I would rather have my own hand cut off, Gertrude, than bring tears to your eyes, but there is no alternative! [GERTRUDE releases the bridle and turns front, brushing her eyes, her hand still held in his, his back to the audience.  He returns order, and motions TROOPERS out; they move out with horse. GERTRUDE starts after the horse; KERCHIVAL turns quickly to check her.] You forget—­that—­you are my prisoner.

GERTRUDE.  I will go!

KERCHIVAL.  General Buckthorn left me special instructions—­[Taking out wallet and letter.]—­in case you declined to obey my orders—­

GERTRUDE.  Oh, Colonel!  Please don’t read that letter. [She stands near him, dropping her head.  He glances up at her from the letter.  She glances up at him and drops her eyes again.] I will obey you.

KERCHIVAL. [Aside.] What the deuce can there be in that letter?

GERTRUDE.  Colonel West!  Your men made me a prisoner this afternoon; to-night you have robbed me, by your own orders, of—­of—­Jack is only a pet, but I love him; and my brother is also a captive in your hands.  When we separated in Charleston you said that we were enemies.  What is there lacking to make those words true to-day?  You are my enemy!  A few moments ago you asked me to make a confession to you.  You can judge for yourself whether it is likely to be a confession of—­love—­or of hatred!

KERCHIVAL.  Hatred!

GERTRUDE. [Facing him.] Listen to my confession, sir!  From the bottom of my heart—­

KERCHIVAL.  Stop!

GERTRUDE.  I will not stop!

KERCHIVAL.  I command you.