THORNTON. If I have killed him—your honour will be buried in the same grave.
HAVERILL. Her picture on his breast! She gave it to him—not to my son! [Dropping into seat. CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD enters with a SIGNALMAN, who has a burning torch on a long pole; he hurries up the elevation. CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD stands below, facing him. Almost simultaneously with the entrance of the SIGNALMAN, GERTRUDE runs in on veranda.
GERTRUDE. They are calling for a surgeon! Who is it? Brother!—you are safe,—ah! [Uttering a scream, as she sees KERCHIVAL, and falling on her knees at his side.] Kerchival! Forget those last bitter words I said to you. Can't you hear my confession? I do love you. Can't you hear me? I love you! [The SIGNALMAN is swinging the torch as the curtain descends, LOCKWOOD looking right.
CURTAIN.
ACT III.
SCENE. Same. It is now bright daylight, with sunshine flecking the foreground and bathing the distant valley and mountains.
DISCOVERED. JENNY, on low stone post, looking left. As the curtain rises, she imitates Trumpet Signal No. 19 on her closed fists.
JENNY. What a magnificent line! [Looking.] Guides-posts! Every man and every horse is eager for the next command. There comes the flag! [Trumpet Signal without, No. 30.] To the standard! [As the signal begins.] The regiment is going to the front. Oh! I do wish I could go with it. I always do, the moment I hear the trumpets. Boots and saddles! [Imitates No. 16.] Mount! [Imitates No. 37.] I wish I was in command of the regiment. It was born in me. [Trumpet Signal No. 48, without.] Fours right! There they go! Look at those horses' ears! [Trumpet Signal No. 39, without.] Forward. [Military band heard without—"The Battle Cry of Freedom" JENNY takes attitude of holding bridle and trotting.] Rappity—plap—plap—plap, etc. [She imitates the motions of a soldier on horseback, stepping down to rock at side of post; thence to ground and about stage, with the various curvettings of a spirited horse. Chorus of soldiers without, with the band. The music becomes more and more distant. JENNY gradually stops as the music is dying away, and stands, listening. As it dies entirely away, she suddenly starts to an enthusiastic attitude.] Ah! If I were only a man! The enemy! On Third Battalion, left, front, into line, march! Draw sabres! Charge! [Imitates Trumpet Signal No. 44. As she finishes, she rises to her full height, with both arms raised, and trembling with enthusiasm.] Ah! [She suddenly drops her arms and changes to an attitude and expression of disappointment—pouting.] And the first time Old Margery took me to papa, in her arms, she had to tell him I was a girl. Papa was as much disgusted as I was. But he'd never admit it; he says I'm as good a soldier as any of 'em—just as I am.
Enter BARKET on veranda, his arm in a sling.
BARKET. [On veranda] Miss Jenny!