GERTRUDE. My groom, old Pete, will be with me, of course; there's no particular need of anyone else. But you may go along, if you like. I've got my hands full of sugar-plums for Jack. Dear old Jack--he always has his share when we have company. I'm going over to Mrs. Pinckney's to see if she's had any more news from General Beauregard; her son is on the General's staff. MADELINE. [_Looking off right_.] There's another rocket from Fort Johnson; and it is answered from Fort Moultrie. Ah! [_Angrily._] General Beauregard is a bad, wicked man! [_Coming down._ GERTRUDE. Oh! Madeline! You are a bad, wicked Northern girl to say such a thing. MADELINE. I _am_ a Northern girl. GERTRUDE. And I am a Southern girl. [_They face each other._ KERCHIVAL. The war has begun. [_Dropping into chair._ ELLINGHAM _has turned from window; he strolls across, watching the girls._ GERTRUDE. General Beauregard is a patriot. MADELINE. He is a Rebel. GERTRUDE. So am I. MADELINE. Gertrude!--You--you-- GERTRUDE. Madeline!--You-- MADELINE. I--I-- GERTRUDE. I-- BOTH. O--O-h! [_Bursting into tears and rushing into each other's arms, sobbing, then suddenly kissing each other vigorously._ KERCHIVAL. I say, Bob, if the North and South do fight, that will be the end of it. GERTRUDE. I've got something to say to you, Madeline, dear. [_Confidentially and turning with her arms about her waist. The girls sit, talking earnestly._ ELLINGHAM. Kerchival, old boy! There's--there's something I'd like to say to you before we part to-day. KERCHIVAL. I'd like a word with you, also! MADELINE. You don't really mean that, Gertrude--with me? ELLINGHAM. I'm in love with your sister Madeline. KERCHIVAL. The devil you are! ELLINGHAM. I never suspected such a thing until last night. GERTRUDE. Robert was in love with you six weeks ago. [MADELINE _kisses her._ KERCHIVAL. _I've_ made a discovery, too, Bob. MADELINE. _I've_ got something to say to _you_, Gertrude. KERCHIVAL. I'm in love with _your_ sister. ELLINGHAM. [_Astonished._] You are? MADELINE. Kerchival has been in love with you for the last three months. [GERTRUDE _offers her lips--they kiss._ KERCHIVAL. I fell in love with her the day before yesterday. [_The two gentlemen grasp each other's hand warmly._ ELLINGHAM. We understand each other, Kerchival. [_He turns up centre, and stops at door._] Miss Madeline, you said just now that you wished to watch the forts. Would you like to walk down to the shore? MADELINE. Yes! [_Rising and going up to him. He takes one of her hands in his own and looks at her earnestly._ ELLINGHAM. This will be the last day that we shall be together for the present. But we shall meet again--sometime--if we both live. MADELINE. If we both live! You mean--if _you_ live: You must go into this dreadful war, if it comes. ELLINGHAM. Yes, Madeline, I must. Come, let us watch for our fate. [_Exeunt on veranda._ KERCHIVAL. [_Aside._] I must leave Charleston to-day. [_Sighs._] Does she love me?