denly draws up._]
Ahem! [_Then gruffly._] What is it? Proceed.

BARKET. Her mother's bosom would have been the softest place for her
poor little head to rest upon, now, sur.

BUCKTHORN. [_Touching his eyes._] Well!

BARKET. Ould Margery tould me in Washington that Miss Jenny and
Captain Heartsease were in love wid aitch ither.

BUCKTHORN. [_Starting._] In love!

BARKET. I approved of the match.

BUCKTHORN. What the devil! [BARKET _salutes quickly and starts up
stage and out._ BUCKTHORN _moves up after him; stops at post._ BARKET
_stops in road._

BARKET. So did ould Margery.

BUCKTHORN. March! [_Angrily._ BARKET _salutes suddenly, and exits._]
Heartsease! That young jackanapes! A mere fop; he'll never make a
soldier. My girl in love with--bah! I don't believe it; she's too good
a soldier, herself.

[_Enter_ HAVERILL, _on veranda._]

Ah, Haverill!

HAVERILL. General Buckthorn! Have you heard anything of General
Sheridan since I sent that despatch to him last evening?

BUCKTHORN. He received it at midnight and sent back word that he
considers it a ruse of the enemy. General Wright agrees with him. The
reconnaissance yesterday showed no hostile force, on our right, and
Crook reports that Early is retreating up the Valley. But General
Sheridan may, perhaps, give up his journey to Washington, and he has
ordered some changes in our line, to be executed this afternoon at
four o'clock. I rode over to give you your instructions in person. You
may order General McCuen to go into camp on the right of Meadow Brook,
with the second division. [HAVERILL _is writing in his note-book._

_Enter_ JENNY, _on veranda._

JENNY. Oh, papa! I'm so glad you've come. I've got something to say to
you. [_Running down and jumping into his arms, kissing him. He turns
with her, and sets her down, squarely on her feet and straight before
him._

BUCKTHORN. And I've got something to say to you--about Captain
Heartsease.

JENNY. Oh! That's just what I wanted to talk about.

BUCKTHORN. Fall in! Front face! [_She jumps into military position,
turning towards him._] What's this I hear from Sergeant Barket? He
says you've been falling in love.

JENNY. I have. [_Saluting._

BUCKTHORN. Young woman! Listen to my orders. Fallout! [_Turns sharply
and marches to_ HAVERILL.] Order the Third Brigade of Cavalry, under
Colonel Lowell, to occupy the left of the pike.

JENNY. Papa! [_Running to him and seizing the tail of his coat._]
Papa, de