BUCKTHORN.  We only know that Kerchival was not found among the dead of his own regiment at Cedar Creek, though he fell among them during the fight.  The three girls searched the field for him, but he was not there.  As darkness came on, and they were returning to the house, Gertrude suddenly seized the bridle of a stray horse, sprang upon its back and rode away to the South, into the woods at the foot of Three Top Mountain.  The other two girls watched for her in vain.  She did not return, and we have heard nothing from her since.

ELLINGHAM.  Poor girl!  I understand what was in her thoughts, and she was right.  We captured fourteen hundred prisoners that day, although we were defeated, and Kerchival must have been among them.  Gertrude rode away, alone, in the darkness, to find him.  I shall return to the South at once and learn where she now is.

JANNETTE has re-entered, down the stairs.

JANNETTE.  Miss Madeline will be down in a moment. [Exit in hall.

BARKET. [Aside.] That name wint through his chist like a rifle ball.

BUCKTHORN.  Will you step into the drawing-room, Colonel?  I will see
Madeline myself, first.  She does not even know that you are living.

ELLINGHAM.  I hardly dared asked for her. [Passing; turns.] Is she well?

BUCKTHORN.  Yes; and happy—­or soon will be.

ELLINGHAM.  Peace, at last! [Exit to apartment. BUCKTHORN closes portieres.

BUCKTHORN.  I ought to prepare Madeline a little, Barket; you must help me.

BARKET.  Yis, sur, I will.

Enter MADELINE down the stairs.

MADELINE.  Uncle!  Jannette said you wished to see me; there is a visitor here.  Who is it?

BARKET.  Colonel Robert Ellingham.

MADELINE.  Ah! [Staggering.

BUCKTHORN. [Supporting her.] You infernal idiot!  I’ll put you in the guard-house!

BARKET.  You wanted me to help ye, Gineral.

MADELINE.  Robert is alive—­and here? [Rising from his arms, she moves to the portieres, holds them aside, peeping in; gives a joyful start, tosses aside the portieres and runs through.

BUCKTHORN.  Barket!  There’s nothing but that curtain between us and
Heaven.

BARKET.  I don’t like stayin’ out o’ Hivin, myself, sur.  Gineral!  I’ll kiss Ould Margery—­if I die for it! [Exit.

BUCKTHORN.  Kiss Old Margery!  I’ll give him a soldier’s funeral. [Enter JENNY from hall, demurely.] Ah!  Jenny, my dear!  I have news for you.  Colonel Robert Ellingham is in the drawing-room.

JENNY.  Oh!  I am delighted. [Starting.

BUCKTHORN.  A-h-e-m!

JENNY.  Oh!—­exactly.  I see.  I have some news for you, papa.  Captain
Heartsease has arrived in Washington.

BUCKTHORN.  Oh!  My dear!  I have often confessed to you how utterly mistaken I was about that young man.  He is a soldier—­as good a soldier as you are.  I’ll ask him to the house.