KERCHIVAL. Go on! Go on! Keep the battle to yourselves. I'm out of it. [_The distant cannon and reverberations rising in volume. Prolonged and distant rumble._
MADELINE. I pray for Robert Ellingham--and for the _cause_ in which he risks his life! [KERCHIVAL _looks at her, suddenly; also_ GERTRUDE.] Heaven forgive me if I am wrong, but I am praying for the enemies of my country. His people are my people, his enemies are my enemies. Heaven defend him and his, in this awful hour.
MADELINE. Oh, Kerchival! [_Turning and dropping her face on his breast._] I cannot help it--I cannot help it!
KERCHIVAL. My poor girl! Every woman's heart, the world over, belongs not to any country or any flag, but to her husband--and her lover. Pray for the man you love, sister--it would be treason not to. [_Passes her before him to left. Looks across to_ GERTRUDE.] Am I right? [GERTRUDE _drops her head._ MADELINE _moves up veranda and out._] Is what I have said to Madeline true?
KERCHIVAL. Gertrude! [_Hurries across to her, clasps her in his arms. He suddenly staggers and brings his hand to his breast._
GERTRUDE. Your wound! [_Supporting him as he reels and sinks into seat._
KERCHIVAL. Wound! I have no wound! You do love me! [_Seizing her hand._
GERTRUDE. Let me call the Surgeon, Kerchival.
KERCHIVAL. You can be of more service to me than he can. [_Detaining her. Very heavy sounds of the battle; she starts, listening._] Never mind that! It's only a battle. You love me!
GERTRUDE. Be quiet, Kerchival, dear. I do love you. I told you so, when you lay bleeding here, last night. But you could not hear me. [_At his side, resting her arm about him, stroking his head._] I said that same thing--to--to--another, more than three years ago. It is in that letter that General Buckthorn gave you. [KERCHIVAL _starts._] No--no--you must be very quiet, or I will not say another word. If you obey me, I will repeat that part of the letter, every word; I know it by heart, for I read it a dozen times. The letter is from Mrs. Haverill.
GERTRUDE. "I have kept your secret, my darling, but I was sorely tempted to betray the confidence you reposed in me at Charleston. If Kerchival West--[_She retires backward from him as she proceeds._]--had heard you say, as I did, when your face was hidden in my bosom, that night, that you loved him with your whole heart--"