GERTRUDE. I am ready to start, Mr. West, when you are. KERCHIVAL. Oh! Of course, I forgot. [_Rising._] I shall be delighted to ride at your side. GERTRUDE. At my side! [_Rising._] There isn't a horse in America that can keep by the side of my Jack, when I give him his head, and I'm sure to do it. You may follow us. But you can hardly ride in that costume; while you are changing it, I'll give Jack his bonbons. [_Turning to window._] There he is, bless him! Pawing the ground, and impatient for me to be on his back. Let him come, Pete. [_Holding up bonbons at window_]. I love you. KERCHIVAL. Eh? [_Turning suddenly._ GERTRUDE. [_Looking at him._] What? KERCHIVAL. You were saying-- GERTRUDE. Jack! [_looking out. The head of a large black horse appears through the window._] You dear old fellow! [_Feeds with bonbons._] Jack has been my boy ever since he was a little colt. I brought you up, didn't I, Jack? He's the truest, and kindest, and best of friends; I wouldn't be parted from him for the world, and I'm the only woman he'll allow to be near him. KERCHIVAL. [_Earnestly._] You are the only woman, Miss Gertrude, that I-- GERTRUDE. Dear Jack! KERCHIVAL. [_Aside._] Jack embarrasses me. He's a third party. GERTRUDE. There! That will do for the present, Jack. Now go along with Pete! If you are a very good boy, and don't let Lieutenant Kerchival West come within a quarter of a mile of me, after the first three minutes, you shall have some more sugar-plums when we get to Mrs. Pinckney's. [_An old negro leads the horse away._ GERTRUDE _looks around at_ KERCHIVAL.] You haven't gone to dress yet; we shall be late. Mrs. Pinckney asked a party of friends to witness the bombardment this morning, and breakfast together on the piazza while they are looking at it. We can remain and join them, if you like. KERCHIVAL. I hope they won't wait for breakfast until the bombardment begins. GERTRUDE. I'll bet you an embroidered cigar-case, Lieutenant, against a box of gloves, that it will begin in less than an hour. KERCHIVAL. Done! You will lose the bet. But you shall have the gloves; and one of the hands that go inside them shall be--[_Taking one of her hands; she withdraws it._ GERTRUDE. My own--until some one wins it. You don't believe that General Beauregard will open fire on Fort Sumter this morning? KERCHIVAL. No; I don't. GERTRUDE. Everything is ready. KERCHIVAL. It's so much easier to get everything ready to do a thing than it is to do it. I have been ready a dozen times, this very night, to say to you, Miss Gertrude, that I--that I--[_Pauses._ GERTRUDE. [_Looking down and tapping skirt with her whip._] Well? KERCHIVAL. But I didn't. GERTRUDE. [_Glancing up at him suddenly._] I dare say, General Beauregard has more nerve than you have. KERCHIVAL. It is easy enough to set the batteries around Charleston Harbour, but the man who fires the first shot at a woman-- GERTRUDE. Woman! KERCHIVAL. At the American flag--must have nerves of steel.