KERCHIVAL. General Buckthorn--I decline to obey that order.
BUCKTHORN. You--you decline to obey my order! [_Moves down to him fiercely._
KERCHIVAL. [_Apart._] General! It is the woman I love.
BUCKTHORN. [_Apart._] Is it? Damn you, sir! I wouldn't have an officer in my army corps who would obey me, under such circumstances. I'll have to look for those despatches myself.
KERCHIVAL. [_Facing him, angrily._] If you dare, General Buckthorn!
BUCKTHORN. [_Apart._] Blast your eyes! I'd kick you out of the army if you'd _let_ me search her; but it's my military duty to swear at you. [_To_ GERTRUDE.] Colonel West has sacrificed his life to protect you.
BUCKTHORN. I shall have him shot for insubordination to his commander, immediately. [_Gives_ KERCHIVAL _a huge wink, and turns._
GERTRUDE. Oh, sir! General! I have told you the truth. I have no despatches. Believe me, sir, I haven't so much as a piece of paper about me, except--
GERTRUDE. Only a letter. Here it is. [_Taking letter from the bosom of her dress._] Upon my soul, it is all I have. Truly it is.
BUCKTHORN. [_Taking letter._] Colonel West, you're reprieved. [_Winks at_ KERCHIVAL, _who turns away, laughing._ BUCKTHORN _reads letter._] "Washington"--Ho!--ho! From within our own lines!--"Colonel Kerchival West--"
GERTRUDE. Please, General!--Don't read it aloud.
KERCHIVAL. [_Aside._] I wonder what it has to do with me?
BUCKTHORN. [_Reading. Aside._] "If Kerchival West had heard you say, as I did--m--m----that you loved him with your whole heart--" [_He glances up at_ GERTRUDE, _who drops her head coyly._] This is a very important military document. [_Turns to last page._] "Signed, Constance Haverill." [_Turns to front page._] "My dear Gertrude!" Is this Miss Gertrude Ellingham?
BUCKTHORN. I sent my daughter, Jenny, to your house, with an escort, this morning.
BUCKTHORN. [_Tapping her under the chin._] You're an arrant little Rebel, my dear; but I like you immensely. [_Draws up suddenly, with an_ "Ahem!" _Turns to_ KERCHIVAL.] Colonel West, I leave this dangerous young woman in your charge. [KERCHIVAL _approaches._] If she disobeys you in any way, or attempts to escape--read that letter! [_Giving him the letter._
KERCHIVAL. [_Tenderly, taking her hand_.] My--prisoner!
