HAVERILL.  It may have been a ruse of the enemy, but I hope that General Sheridan has turned back from Washington. [Looking at his note-book.] We are to make changes in our line at four o’clock this afternoon. [Returns book to pocket and stands in thought.] The Surgeon tells me that Kerchival West will get on well enough if he remains quiet; otherwise not.  He shall not die by the hand of a common assassin; he has no right to die like that.  My wife gave my own picture of herself to him—­not to my son—­and she looked so like an angel when she took it from my hand!  They were both false to me, and they have been true to each other.  I will save his life for myself.

Enter GERTRUDE, on veranda.

GERTRUDE.  General Haverill! [Anxiously, coming down.] Colonel West persists in disobeying the injunctions of the Surgeon.  He is preparing to join his regiment at the front.  Give him your orders to remain here.  Compel him to be prudent!

HAVERILL. [Quickly.] The honour of death at the front is not in reserve for him.

GERTRUDE.  Eh?  What did you say, General?

HAVERILL.  Gertrude!  I wish to speak to you, as your father’s old friend; and I was once your guardian.  Your father was my senior officer in the Mexican War.  Without his care I should have been left dead in a foreign land.  He, himself, afterwards fell fighting for the old flag.

GERTRUDE.  The old flag. [Aside.] My father died for it, and he—­[Looking left.]—­is suffering for it—­the old flag!

HAVERILL.  I can now return the kindness your father did to me, by protecting his daughter from something that may be worse than death.

GERTRUDE.  What do you mean?

HAVERILL.  Last night I saw you kneeling at the side of Kerchival West; you spoke to him with all the tender passion of a Southern woman.  You said you loved him.  But you spoke into ears that could not hear you.  Has he ever heard those words from your lips?  Have you ever confessed your love to him before?

GERTRUDE.  Never.  Why do you ask?

HAVERILL.  Do not repeat those words.  Keep your heart to yourself, my girl.

GERTRUDE.  General!  Why do you say this to me?  And at such a moment—­when his life—­

HAVERILL.  His life! [Turning sharply.] It belongs to me!

GERTRUDE.  Oh!

KERCHIVAL.  Sergeant! [Without.  He steps in front road, looking back.] See that my horse is ready at once.  General! [Saluting.] Are there any orders for my regiment, beyond those given to Major Wilson, in my absence, this morning?  I am about to ride on after the troops and re-assume my command.

HAVERILL. [Quietly.] It is my wish, Colonel, that you remain here under the care of the Surgeon.

KERCHIVAL.  My wound is a mere trifle.  This may be a critical moment in the campaign, and I cannot rest here.  I must be with my own men.