_Rowell._ Indeed! _Gaylie._ Ay, indeed, Col. Rowell. You are my guardian, true; but you forget my father's will. In one year I am free: even now I have the power of appeal to two noble men, should you distort your power. I will be mistress of my fortune. I will be free to bestow my hand. With the one, I will protect the homeless; with the other, cheer him at whom you sneer, a common soldier. Deny my right at your peril. _Rowell._ No more of this. Quit that man's side. I command you, obey me! _Gaylie._ You command? You forget I am a leader here. I entreat you, in the name of justice, to deal fairly and honorably by this true hero, who leaves all to serve his country, to recognize his right to the hand which I freely give. Come, sir, do we part friends? _Rowell._ Not on such terms as you offer. (_Crosses to_ R.) _Gaylie._ Then beware! you make yourself my enemy. Already you disgrace the rank you've bought, not won. You have command, and my hero in your power. I have love, wealth, and a loyal heart, that abhors injustice. Against all treachery and deceit, against the wily arts you may contrive to shame my hero, I am the Home-Guard, the firm friend, enlisted for the war. _Tableau_: ROB _and_ GAYLIE, C. ROB _has his right arm about her waist, her left hand in his left; she bends forward, with her right hand outstretched to_ ROWELL, R., _defying him_. MRS. TRUEWORTH _sits on sofa_, L., _with her handkerchief to her eyes_. MATTIE _with her hand on her mother's shoulder_. CRIMP, _back_ R., _has the flag rolled up, and is menacing_ ROWELL _with it_. HIRAM _catches it in his hand as it descends, and holds him back. Slow curtain._ ACT II.—(_After two years._) _Headquarters of_ COL. ROWELL _in Virginia. Room in a farm-house. Door in flat_ L., _open; window in flat_ R., _open. Landscape behind, moonlight if possible. Set the "moon"_ L., _so the light will fall through the door and window. Writing-desk or table, against_ R. _side; writing-materials, a candle to light, a pile of letters and papers, upon it. Chair in front of this. Give the scene a military character by placing a stack of arms in_ L. _corner back, a pile of knapsacks in_ R. _corner with an American flag thrown over it; hang up a drum between the door and window_. ROBERT _discovered, with musket, on guard outside the door; passes door and window twice. A "distant" fife plays, "The Girl I left behind me," through: as it ceases_, ROB _should be at door; he leans against the doorway_ L.