arter, 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 marr