KERCHIVAL. And this is the old Ellingham homestead. [Aside.] Gertrude herself is here, I suppose; almost a prisoner to me, like her brother; and my troops surround their home. She must, indeed, feel that I am her enemy now. Ah, well, war is war. [Aloud.] By the bye, Heartsease, a young Lieutenant, Frank Bedloe, has joined our troop?
HEARTSEASE. Yes; an excellent young officer.
KERCHIVAL. I sent for him as I came through the camp. Lieutenant Frank
"Bedloe" is the son of General Haverill.
HEARTSEASE. Indeed! Under an assumed name!
KERCHIVAL. He was supposed to have been killed in New Orleans more than a year ago; but he was taken prisoner instead. [Looking left.
HEARTSEASE. He is here.
KERCHIVAL. I should never have known him—with his full beard and bronzed face. His face was as smooth as a boy's when I last met him in Charleston.
Enter LIEUTENANT FRANK BEDLOE; he stops, saluting.
FRANK. You wished me to report to you, Colonel?
KERCHIVAL. You have been assigned to the regiment during my absence.