[Fair, who has been talking to Carter, turns quickly, listening.

Mrs. S. Not Stephen, our own cousin, in arms against the South!  And coming here!

Col.  S. His father is a Northern man; we must not judge for him.

Fair (to George).  Why must you go back to the camp to-night?

George.  We have a long march for to-morrow.  Our leave of absence is only for two hours.

Mrs. S. Then we must lose no time.  You boys are hungry; I am sure of it.  Come into the house and we’ll talk while you eat.

[They start towards the house.  George and Charlotte are behind
the rest.  He takes her hand, speaking softly only to her.

George.  Wait with me here for just a moment. (Then to his mother); We’ll come, in just a moment, mother.

Mrs. S. (smiles at him then, as the others enter house).  I’ll call you when we are ready.

[Exit.

[Charlotte turns, facing him; he takes her other hand, looking
long and lovingly into her face.

Char.  I can hardly think you’re real.  But you are here:  you have come back to me.

George.  And if the time has been long to you, how about me there in the camp?

Char.  I try not to think about that part—­only of how I love you!  That makes up to me for all the rest.

George.  We can’t think of ourselves in times like these.  But I may think of you.  You’re in my heart each moment of the day and in my dreams at night (He bends over her).  My own sweetheart, I wonder if you know or even guess how dear you are to me!

Char.  I measure your love with my own for you.  That’s fair enough, and so I think—­I think I know how much you love me.

[George has been leaning tenderly over her as she sits on the
bench.  He now comes and sits beside her, taking one of her
hands in both his own.

George.  I want your promise for one thing—­one thing that will make me the happiest, proudest man in the world.

Char.  What more can I promise you?  I’ve given you myself.  What more—­

George (impulsively leaning closer to her).  Marry me to-night!

Char.  To-night!  Why, I—­I—­

George.  Yes, to-night!  We may go for a long campaign South.  I may not come again for months.  Let me be sure you are my own before I go.  I’ll get the chaplain here in half an hour.

Char.  To-night!  But, George, I—­I—­of course, I’ll marry you if you think best, but—­

George (delighted).  But what?  Nothing in all the world can matter if you marry me to-night.

Char.  But I haven’t any dress.

George (laughing).  What does that matter?  Why not the one you have on now?  I never saw you look more lovely.

Char.  Oh, I have one other:  a nicer one than this (happily).  Well, this will do if it pleases you.

[He gently puts his arm around her.

George.  As if I cared.  We’ll tell them all and have the wedding.  You’ve only twenty minutes now to make your wedding dress.