JASPER. I will seek and expostulate with the stubborn girl. Ah, Jerry, times have strangely altered, when young women choose husbands for themselves, with as much ease and indifference, as a ribbon for their bonnet. [_Enters the cottage._ JERRY. So they do--the little independent creatures as they are--but what Miss Crissy could see in me to refuse, hang me if I can tell. I'm call'd as sprightly a fellow as any in our county, and up to everything--always ready for fun, and perfectly good-natured. [_Enter JASPER from the cottage, agitated._ JASPER. She is nowhere to be found--she has gone off and left her poor old father. In her room, I found these lines scrawled with a pencil: "You have driven your daughter from you, by urging a match that was hateful to her. Was her happiness not worth consulting?" What's to be done? Where has she gone? Ah, a light breaks in upon me--to the camp--to the camp! JERRY. Oho! I smell a rat too--she's gone after Mr. Lenox, the infantry ossifer. Oh, the young jade! But come along, old soger--get your hat and cane, and we'll go arter her--I'm a magistrate, and will bring her back by a habes corpus. [_They enter the cottage._ SCENE II. _A Wood._ _Enter CHRISTINE in haste, looking back with fear._ CHRISTINE. On, on, or I shall be pursued and o'ertaken--I have lost my way. Ah, yonder is the camp--I see the flags and tents--a short time and I shall be with you, dear Lenox. [_Exit._ _Enter JASPER, JERRY and PEASANTS._ JERRY. We're on the right track, farmer; I know all tracks--used to 'em when I hunt 'possums. JASPER. Cruel girl! to desert her old father, who has ever been kind and affectionate. JERRY. Cruel girl! to desert me, who intended to be so very affectionate, if he had given me a chance. JASPER. We cannot be far from the outposts, let us continue our search. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _A Camp. A row of tents in the rear with camp flags at equal distances; on the right wing is a neat marquee, and directly opposite to it another. Sentinels on duty at each marquee._ _Enter from the marquee, LENOX and ADELA._ LENOX. I never was more surprised! just when I had brush'd up my arms, and prepared to meet the enemy, who should I find in camp but you, my old hoyden scholar. Why Adela, you have grown nearly as tall as a grenadier, and as pretty--zounds, I would kiss you, if I dare.