BUCKTHORN. Oh! Does she? [Walks thoughtfully; turns.] My dear young lady! I trust you will give us no further trouble. Kindly let us have those despatches.
GERTRUDE. [Looking away.] I have no despatches, and I would not give them to you if I had.
BUCKTHORN. What! You defy my authority? Colonel West, I command you! Search the prisoner! [GERTRUDE turns suddenly towards KERCHIVAL, facing him defiantly. He looks across at her aghast. A moment's pause.
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.
GERTRUDE. His life!