You are acquainted with Mr. Lincoln's views, however? JACQUESS One of us is fully---- BENJAMIN I supposed so. May I ask, did Mr. Lincoln in any way authorize you to come here? GILMORE No, sir. We came on his pass through the lines, of course, but not by his request. JACQUESS We came, Mr. Benjamin, simply as men and Christians, not as diplomats, hoping in a frank talk with Mr. Davis to discover some way by which this war may be stopped. BENJAMIN On my advice, gentlemen, Mr. Davis will see you---- JAQUESS AND GILMORE Thank you---- BENJAMIN I think he is here now---- [BENJAMIN _exits._] GILMORE [_In low tones to_ VAUGHAN.] What are you doing here? VAUGHAN Writing! I don't know you---- GILMORE The hell you don't! VAUGHAN No! GILMORE We worked on the same paper in Washington, once---- VAUGHAN Never saw you before---- GILMORE Get-word-through-will you! _We're in a trap!_ VAUGHAN Shut your damned trap! or we'll both make our breakfast on lead at sunrise to-morrow morning! Get back to your seat! [_The sound of approaching steps are heard._ BENJAMIN _enters as_ GILMORE _drops into his seat._] BENJAMIN Gentlemen: The President of the Confederate States of America! [DAVIS _enters and bows to his visitors, who rise. His figure is about five foot ten and quite thin. His features are typically the Southern scholar and thinker with angular cheeks and high cheek bones. His iron gray hair is long and thick and inclined to curl at the ends. His whiskers are thin and trimmed farmer fashion, on the lower end of his strong chin. His eyes flash with strong vitality. His forehead is broad, his mouth strong. He wears a brown suit of foreign cloth which fits him perfectly. His shoulders slightly droop. His manner is easy and graceful, his voice charming and cultured._] DAVIS I am glad to meet you, gentlemen. You are very welcome to Richmond. GILMORE We thank you, Mr. Davis. DAVIS Mr. Benjamin tells me that you have asked to see me---- [_He pauses and waits for his visitors to finish the sentence._] JACQUESS Yes, sir. Our people want Peace. Your people do. We have come to ask how it may be brought about? DAVIS Very simply. Withdraw your armies from the South, let us alone and Peace comes at once. JACQUESS