D’A. A ruffian, whose business it is to send— MYERS. Have done— D’A. Beauty and virtue to the auction block for prostitution! (_Myers strikes D’Arneaux and is struck in return._) MYERS. I will not wait for morning to settle this. (_Flings off hat, draws knife. Zina rises in terror._) D’A. It shall be as you choose (_dashing to bar and seizing a knife_). And the freedom of this helpless girl shall be the issue! BRIGHTLY. (_Dashing between._) Hold on, gentlemen! D’A. Stand aside, sir! This is a question of manhood you are unfit to decide. (_Myers dashes by Brightly and attacks D’A. They fight. Myers is killed L. at once. D’A. drops his knife and stands aghast at his work. Turning suddenly to R._) It is a poltroon who would not fight from such a provocation. (_Zina drops on her knees sobbing._) D’A. (_To Brightly._) The result of this duel ends your control as master here. (_Zina falls on face sobbing._) BRIGHTLY. When did I give papers to convey her? D’A. I sought the quarrel that has ended that miscreant’s life, because he has lived in vandalism on the ruins of helpless innocence! BRIGHTLY. What is that to me? D’A. By every sense of even a gambler’s honor, this child is free. If you deny that, it shall be the last time the law shall protect your infamy. Peril her liberty and honor again if you dare, and you shall answer to me. (_Curtain._) ACT II. SCENE 1. _Landscape. Whole stage. Gen. Halcom discovered, R, looking away with field-glass. Soldiers “en picket,” rear._ _Enter Barney L. U. E., looking badly as if from a drunken debauch._ 1st SOLDIER and SOLDIERS. Guardhouse! Guardhouse! BARNEY. (_Stopping, &c._) Close up them holes in your face; the flies may get inside and blow you. 1st SOL., &c. Pull up yer trowsers, they are wearing out your heels. (_Soldiers laugh. Barney enraged._) BARNEY. I will have that thafe killed that got so many idiots down here. 1st SOL. Turn off the gas or your head will collapse. BARNEY. (_Throwing off hat and coat, L._) Come out here with them idiots. Come out! Come out! (_Spanks his hand on floor._) 1st SOL. Ah-r, Barney, get out, we were only in fun. BARNEY. Go away wid you for a thafe and blackguard ye are. 1st SOL. Come, Barney, let’s have a drink and make up. (_Soldier produces bottle. Barney looks incredulous, as if expecting some imposition. He approaches very slowly._) BARNEY. And you have no sickness in it? 1st SOL. Ah-r, what do you take us for? (_Barney takes bottle and attempts to drink. Finds it empty. Flings it out L. Spanks his hand on the floor. Soldiers laugh very loud._) BARNEY. Come out! Come out, you thafe er the worruld! I’ll bat your dam head off you. Come out! (_Gen. Halcom turns, looks at them a moment. Barney subsides, and as he puts on coat and hat, turns often to see if Hal. is looking at him. Enter Orderly L. U. E._) ORDERLY. (_To Gen. Hal._) A note, sir, from the commander-in-chief.