Fair. Oh, haven't you heard about the wedding?

Gordon (slowly, as though anxious). What wedding?

Fair. George and Charlotte. They're going to be married here
to-night. It's too lovely. I'm to be the maid of honor and Carter is to
be best man. And mother and Charlotte are fixing up her dress with
flowers. Isn't it splendid!

Bev. I'm going in to help. Maybe he'll let me ride down to the
camp to get the chaplain.

[Exit into the house.

Fair. Come, let us go in, too, and help about the wedding.

Gordon. Fair, will you wait here with me? I've something I must
say to you before we go in there.

Fair (surprised). Something you must say to me; I don't quite
understand.

Gordon. Then, may I tell you now?

Fair. Had we not better wait for just a little? I've promised
Carter--

Gordon (drawing back). You've promised Carter--what?

Fair (surprised). To go with him to get some flowers.

Gordon (relieved). Oh, only that. Well, I will wait. Only till
you get the flowers, remember. I'll walk down through the garden. You
won't be long?

Fair. He's coming in a minute. (Exit Gordon by gate into garden. Fair
stands quietly for a moment, then covers her face with her hands; when
she speaks, her voice is very strange). Coming here! Coming here! Oh,
Steve, I cannot bear it! I cannot bear it! (slowly gazing off before
her). And as our enemy--you whom I have loved--whom I now love!

[Enter Carter from the house.

Carter. Isn't it great about the wedding?

Fair (quickly trying to hide her grief of a moment before). Yes,
yes, I am so glad. But we must get the flowers for her, at the bushes
here by the house.

Carter. Aunt Marthy brought in all the roses she can want. And,
Fair, I spoke about the flowers for just this chance of seeing you
alone. We soldiers snatch our happiness when best we can. I've come to
ask you for the greatest thing in all this world. I must ask now. (She
turns away; he takes her hand). I love you--I love you! Fair, I fancied
it would be hard for me to say those three little words, but it is not
hard--it is very easy. I love you dearer than everything in the world.
Fair, look at me. Surely, you have guessed this love. Look at me!

[She slowly faces him, drawing her hand away.

Fair (her voice very soft). You love me! You, Carter, my own dear
cousin! You love me! Oh, Carter, I never thought--I never, never