ACT II.
SCENE.—A Garden.—House in the background, illuminated.
Enter ROSE and MAJOR CLEVELAND from house, ROSE hanging on the MAJOR'S arm.
ROSE. It was really absurd—was it not?—to think me the champion of that country clown. Poor fellow! I couldn't bear his discomfited looks, Major, and so, out of old companionship, what could I do less than stand up for him? There won't be anything positively serious, will there, eh? I should be sorry to have it so, inasmuch as he fell into the trap under my father's roof. But don't you think I made a good champion? It was really presumptuous for the fellow to come here, though. These rustic clowns thrust themselves everywhere.
CLEVELAND. What, Miss Elsworth, Captain Armstrong, then, is nothing—
ROSE. Nothing in the world, I assure you, but a harmless country lad!
Do tell me, Major, am I not a good actor?
CLEVELAND. Excellent. I really could have supposed that this American stood high in your esteem.
ROSE. Oh, I like him well enough. He is among the best the country affords, but that is very bad, you know.
CLEVELAND. Then you bear me no malice?
ROSE. Not enough to kill a gnat.
CLEVELAND. Ah, Miss Elsworth, this assurance gives me the greatest pleasure.
ROSE. Don't hurt the poor fellow though, Major, I beg of you. I should be quite sorry if anything happened to him. He is a good-natured, useful neighbour enough—an unpolished jewel, papa calls him. Ah, Major, our social wants in this community are lamentable enough, when we are obliged to content ourselves with such a poor substitute as you have seen, for all the polish and manner of London circles.
CLEVELAND. Lamentable, indeed, Miss Elsworth!
ROSE. The war brings one boon, at least,—the society of gentlemen.
CLEVELAND. Very true, indeed.
ROSE. [Aside.] Hem! Major Cleveland, I'll so wheedle you this night you shall cry enough to a woman, even if it so happen that you have never done it to a man. So look to it, my valiant Major! Look to it!
CLEVELAND. Do you know, dear Miss Elsworth, that I could wish to see you in these troubled times united to some one who could afford you the protection which only a husband can extend?
ROSE. [Behind her fan.] Oh, Major!
CLEVELAND. [Taking her hand.] I cannot be mistaken in the surmise that you love already.
ROSE. [With a sigh.] Oh, sir!
CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth! Rose! Confide in me! I am your friend.
ROSE. [With affected confusion.] I believe you, Major Cleveland. I—I—really, sir—I implore you to believe me—I have nothing to confide.
CLEVELAND. Do not be offended, Miss Elsworth. I have your interest at heart. Pardon me—but Captain Arbald—[ROSE starts and appears agitated.] believes, or at least hopes, that he is acceptable to you. I am very deeply his friend—very deeply yours.
ROSE. It is very pleasant to hear you say so, Major Cleveland.
CLEVELAND. Then you do look upon him with favour?
ROSE. Alas, Major Cleveland, these wars, these wars!
CLEVELAND. They separate us from those who are dearest to us—they come between us and our hearts' affections.
ROSE. Do they not daily threaten us with a heart widowhood?
CLEVELAND. Ah, Miss Elsworth—Rose, let me call you—I see you are thinking of the young Captain. You love him!
ROSE. [Aside.] Walter, I must save you by whatever means! [Aloud.]
Oh, Major, let me beg of you one thing—let me hear you promise what I
will ask you. You assure me you are my friend. Then grant me a pledge.
Promise me to—to protect—
CLEVELAND. The Captain—
ROSE. Who is to be my husband.
CLEVELAND. You delight me. Are you then pledged?
ROSE. We are.
CLEVELAND. The young rascal. He never told me so. And jealous enough,
I'll be sworn he is, to see me monopolize your society, as I do.
ROSE. His life is almost in your hands. Often you can save him from danger.
CLEVELAND. You will marry him?
ROSE. [Abashed.] Yes.
CLEVELAND. I give you the pledge, then, you ask. Make him your husband, and for your sake I will defend and protect him to the extent of my power.
ROSE. Oh, sir, you make me happy. I am, Major, a foolish girl. I place, perhaps, absurdly, so much confidence in your ability to rescue him from many dangers—that I should like—should like, sir, to wear this ring [Slipping one from his finger.] as a friendly pledge that you will be his guardian, his watchful protector.
CLEVELAND. Let me kiss the ring upon your finger as a formal seal to my pledge.
ROSE. It becomes an oath now.
CLEVELAND. It does—sworn upon this hand.
ROSE. That you are his friend—ever to be my husband's friend.
CLEVELAND. That is the oath. I take it again!
ROSE. [Aside.] Now, Major Cleveland, I have you!
CLEVELAND. [Aside.] She shall be his—then—why then to make her mine.
ROSE. [Aside.] There is some libertine scheme behind all this, I feel assured. He is playing the villain. Well, well! Shall we go in?
Enter ARBALD.
CLEVELAND. Ah, Arbald. We have been looking for you.
ROSE. I believe, Captain, that I am pledged to you for the next dance.
ARBALD. It is my happiness to recollect it. But one dance is missed.
ROSE. Let me make amends.
Enter MARVIN, hurriedly.
MARVIN. Sir, the rebel has escaped.
CLEVELAND. Ha! What do you mean? How?
MARVIN. It is uncertain how.
CLEVELAND. He must be about the grounds somewhere. Put your fellows upon his track. Hunt him out! I wouldn't lose my hold upon him for the value of a dozen ordinary rebels.
[Crosses.
During this speech ARMSTRONG glides in behind, among the shrubbery, and touches ROSE. ROSE starts, and slightly screams. All turn quickly toward her. She, hastily and unseen, unclasps a bracelet from her arm, and flings it behind her.
ROSE. Gentlemen! gentlemen! gentlemen! I've lost my bracelet—a valued bracelet. Five minutes ago I had it on my arm. Major Cleveland—Captain Arbald—I beseech you to search for it. What could have become of it?
CLEVELAND. Your bracelet?
ROSE. Gentlemen, I implore you to search for it. Major, it may have been dropped in the bower. Go look for it, sir. Captain Arbald and Lieutenant Marvin, why do you stand idly there? Do you refuse to search for my jewel? I've lost a bracelet, I tell you, sirs. Is this the way you attend upon the wishes of a lady?
CLEVELAND. Really, Miss Elsworth, duty—
ROSE. Don't talk to me of duty, sir. I would not lose my bracelet for the wealth of the world. A valued token from a dear friend; I swore never to part with it. Oh, indeed, you are gallant gentlemen! You let me lose a precious jewel, and you stand staring by. I tell you, I value that bracelet with my very life.
CLEVELAND. But the escaped prisoner?
ROSE [Passionately.] What is the prisoner to me? What is he to my bracelet? Must I lose my bracelet for the sake of a runaway rebel—a miserable clown, who may either hang or run, I care not? Some one will tread upon my bracelet, [Walking up and down impetuously.] one of the common soldiers will find and keep it. I would not lose it for worlds.—
ARBALD. Indeed, Miss Rose, I assure you—
ROSE. Oh, no assurances, sir. Where is your devotion to me? Where your willingness to sacrifice everything for me, as I have heard you swear more than once? If you ever expect to come into my presence again, you must first clasp that bracelet on my arm. I will hear nothing, listen to no excuse; and if you refuse to obey me, never let me see you again.
CLEVELAND. [Aside.] I must not lose my hold upon her, by offending her. [Aloud.] Gentlemen, do you remain with Miss Elsworth, and search for the lost jewel. I will myself give the necessary order for the search for the missing prisoner.
[Exit CLEVELAND.
ROSE. You, Captain, search yonder bower.
ARBALD. Were you there?
ROSE. Or I should not send you. [Exit ARBALD.] Marvin, go hunt the rooms—I cannot say what moment I dropped it.
MARVIN. I obey Miss Elsworth. [Exit MARVIN.
ROSE. Where can he be—if my ruse has only given him time.
[Enter WALTER, hurriedly.]
Good heavens! Not off! Here yet!
WALTER. Every outlet is guarded: could I reach the house—
ROSE. This way—we may steal in—
WALTER. I found your jewel, Rose!
[As they are hurrying off, enter MAJOR CLEVELAND.]
Caught, as I'm alive!
ROSE. Quick! away—
WALTER. It shall be so—[Rushes off in an opposite direction.
CLEVELAND. Ha! ho! Guard! Corporal!
[Enter CORPORAL and GUARD rapidly, with torches.]
That way is your prisoner. Find him, I charge you.
[Exeunt CORPORAL and GUARD.]
What am I to think, Miss Elsworth?
ROSE. [Vehemently.] Think! That I would give the world for Captain
Armstrong to escape.
CLEVELAND. Humph! The gift would be useless. Look for yourself.
ROSE. [Looking off; then suddenly burying her face in her hands.]
Good heavens!
CLEVELAND. [In her ear.] How's this, Miss Elsworth? [She starts up, proudly.]
[Enter SOLDIERS, guarding WALTER.]
I rejoice, sir, that we meet again.
SOLDIER. A jewel, sir, found upon the prisoner.
CLEVELAND. Ha! what's this? [Reading the inscription by a torch.] "To Rose, from Walter!" Madam, I understand you now. I was deceived. Permit me to be the means of restoring this valued token from a dear friend. Would it not be a strange vicissitude if the finding of the trinket should be the means of losing the friend? Conduct your prisoner hence.
[Exeunt all but ROSE and CLEVELAND.
ROSE. Major Cleveland, Captain Armstrong must be allowed to go free. I have your promise. I hold you to it.
CLEVELAND. My promise—
ROSE. Look! [Pointing to the signet received from the MAJOR.
CLEVELAND. Aha! Then it was Captain Armstrong, and not Captain Arbald, to whom you alluded in our interview. I was beginning to suspect the trick.
ROSE. Your shrewdness would have done you more credit if you had detected it before. As it is, I have your signet and your promise to save Captain Armstrong.
CLEVELAND. But the promise referred only to your husband.
ROSE. Captain Armstrong is my betrothed husband.
CLEVELAND. Ay, but at present is a prisoner. You see, madam, I hold the cards.
ROSE. Your pardon, sir, but I have the game.
CLEVELAND. Eh! Is not the Captain in my hands?
ROSE. Before to-morrow morning he shall be in mine.
CLEVELAND. Confound it, madam, I'll keep so strict a guard upon him, a fly sha'n't light upon him without my knowing it.
ROSE. Do so, and if you were argus-eyed into the bargain, I'd marry him before to-morrow morning.
CLEVELAND. Ha! is it come to that? I'll march this hour.
ROSE. It would be too late.
CLEVELAND. This moment, then.
ROSE. I would anticipate you.
CLEVELAND. Zounds, madam, you talk idly.
ROSE. Zounds, sir, you talk without reason.
CLEVELAND. I'll go to him at once—put a pistol to his head—blow his brains out, and—
ROSE. Make me his widow.
CLEVELAND. Deuce take it, you're mad.
ROSE. Mad if you will, Major Cleveland. It is a struggle between us. Look to it, sir. You may be bold, valourous, cunning—vastly so; but you have a woman's wit against you—so look to it!
CLEVELAND. Confound it.
ROSE. Bravo! bravo! Your passion, sir, well becomes you—
CLEVELAND. Deaths and devils! [Exit.
ROSE. Ha, ha, ha!
[Enter METCALF.]
Here! Here, Mr. Metcalf—follow Major Cleveland; watch every step; don't lose sight of him for a moment.
METCALF. Trust me; I'll be his shadow from this time forth. [Exeunt separately.
Enter CAPTAIN ARBALD _and _KATE.
ARBALD. Really, Miss Kate, you do me injustice—but if I could only induce you to intercede—
KATE. Plead your cause for you. [Aside.] Blind and stupid! Can't he see that I am dying for that my sister laughs at.
ARBALD. If I could but find that lost bracelet—
KATE. Hush! Who comes here?
[They withdraw.
Enter MAJOR CLEVELAND, MR. ELSWORTH, LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH, and METCALF behind.
ELSWORTH. Declared to you that she would marry Captain Armstrong—
CLEVELAND. Yes, my dear sir, and I felt it my duty to acquaint you.
HARRY. I will go to the Captain and demand a satisfactory—
CLEVELAND. Your pardon, young gentleman. Captain Armstrong is now my prisoner; and I shall hold him safe for my own purposes.
ELSWORTH. In face of my commands this day pronounced. It is monstrous.
I must seek out Rose, and have an explanation.
[Exit.
KATE. [Aside to ARBALD.] You see, sir, how little the bracelet would plead in your cause.
ARBALD. I do, indeed.
[They saunter off.
HARRY. I do not, sir, often ask favours of you. This day my father forbade Armstrong from entertaining any intentions relative to my sister. He has insulted me, my father, and Rose. I wish to chastise him, sir.
CLEVELAND. Tut, tut! I will not give his cunning a chance to plan another escape. The best thing you can do is to help me to prevent the possibility of the marriage.
HARRY. You are my superior. I have no choice but to obey. But I long to inflict the punishment due to his treachery. [Exit.
CLEVELAND. Pest on't, I love the wench. I thought, if married to Arbald, and frequently near me, my suit might flourish. But the cunning vixen caught me in my own trap. If I could only trip her now; let me see—let me see.
Enter ARBALD.
CLEVELAND. Ah, Arbald, come hither. How flourishes your suit with Miss
Elsworth?
ARBALD. Badly, I must confess.
CLEVELAND. Unless we prevent it she will be married to this Armstrong before morning.
ARBALD. Is it possible?
CLEVELAND. I have my own reasons for desiring to break up the match between them—to prevent their marriage. Nothing occurs to me at all feasible to that end, but some plan to get introduced into Armstrong's presence a woman disguised as Rose.
ARBALD. And marry them?
CLEVELAND. Ay. Armstrong is on the alert for some scheme to rescue him—would fall into such a net as fishes do—and think it was his mistress' cunning to serve him.
ARBALD. But where is the woman?
CLEVELAND. Rose has a girl in attendance upon her who is near her size and figure—a mischievous wench, or I am no judge of physiognomies.
METCALF. [Who has been listening, aside.] Oho! [Exits hurriedly and secretly.
ARBALD. Bridget, they call her.
CLEVELAND. Send her to me. Fifty pounds will be more than her fidelity can stand. Luckily we have the Chaplain with us. Have him ready.
ARBALD. I'll hunt Bridget up at once.
[Exit ARBALD.
CLEVELAND. The plan is a good one. Now, Lady Wit, those who win may laugh. But I was a blind fool ever to allow her to obtain that promise from me.
Enter METCALF.
METCALF. Hist! Major Cleveland.
CLEVELAND. Well, good fellow.
METCALF. [Aside.] Fellow! It is remarkable now that I, who daily make a score of urchins tremble in their shoes at the frown of my portentous brow, can't in the least make these people afraid of me. Let me see what effect one of my frightfully severe looks would have. [Walks up to him.
CLEVELAND. Well, sir, have you any business with me?
METCALF. No, no, sir. [Aside.] I suppose my urchins feel as I do now. [Aloud.] I've got an idea, sir, about the Captain.
CLEVELAND. Well, what idea?
METCALF. [Aside.] Here comes Rose—the very image of Bridget—all I wanted was to give her time. [Aloud.] An idea—[Aside.] to trap you with sword, coat, and all—
CLEVELAND. There she is—begone, fellow—you intrude upon me.
Enter ROSE, disguised as BRIDGET.
ROSE. [Curtseying.] Your Honour sent for me.
METCALF. Ha! ha! ha! Trap to catch foxes—ho! ho! ho!
[Exit.
CLEVELAND. You look a lively, quick-witted lass.
ROSE. [Aside.] Now for the airs of your true lady's lady.
CLEVELAND. Do you know how to keep a silent tongue?
ROSE. Bless us! Haven't I always been in practice? Ain't I mum to what all the fine gentlemen say about the bouquets, the presents, the love notes—
CLEVELAND. How would you like to make twenty pounds?
ROSE. Oh, sir, I am quite invincible.
CLEVELAND. But twenty pounds?
ROSE. Say twenty-five.
CLEVELAND. To be paid when the contract is performed. How would you like to marry?
ROSE. Oh! good gracious!
CLEVELAND. Hush! Why the deuce do you raise that clatter?
ROSE. Lor, sir, we always do.
CLEVELAND. Be silent, or the twenty pounds—
ROSE. Twenty-five—
CLEVELAND. Twenty-five then. Marriage in jest.
ROSE. Oh!
CLEVELAND. Only in jest—to decide a wager. You must disguise yourself as your mistress, when you will be admitted into the presence of Captain Armstrong.
ROSE. Captain Armstrong.—Goodness gracious!
CLEVELAND. Hear me out. A pretended chaplain will be by, and a sham form of marriage will be gone through with—
ROSE. Only in jest? Why, what a funny joke!
CLEVELAND. Capital! capital! Ha! ha! ha!
ROSE. Ha! ha! ha! A splendid joke, sir. But I don't quite understand it.
CLEVELAND. Oh, you understand enough. You must not speak above the lowest whisper, nor let the Captain see your features. A few words and the—the—ha, ha, ha—the joke is through with—
ROSE. I see—I see.
CLEVELAND. And then to-morrow when he comes to know it—don't you see—we will have a run on the Captain—'twill be the rarest sport when found out.
ROSE. But suppose now it should turn out to be a real no-mistake marriage.
CLEVELAND. But it can't. The priest is a sham—that's the point of the joke.
ROSE. That's the point of the joke, eh?
CLEVELAND. Come, will you do it?
ROSE. Well—I am doubtful.
CLEVELAND. Only carry it out well, and you shall have fifty pounds.
ROSE. I am convinced, as old intrigues are dull, I want pastime, and would like to earn fifty pounds, and if my chances in other quarters are uninjured, why—
CLEVELAND. You will do it?
ROSE. Will the Captain think it a jest?
CLEVELAND. He thinks there is a plan on foot to introduce your mistress to him for a similar purpose.
ROSE. And when he finds that he has married plain Bridget instead of
Miss Rose—what a rage he will be in! Oh, what a delightful jest—
CLEVELAND. The funniest you ever heard of. Such laughing as there will be!
ROSE. Fifty pounds—all in gold—is more than I can stand.
CLEVELAND. Then meet me in five minutes, by yonder tree.
ROSE. I'll slip on one of my mistress's dresses, and in five minutes be ready—but remember—fifty pounds!
[Exit ROSE.
CLEVELAND. [Rubbing his hands.] The best of tricks. Ha! ha! ha!
[Exit.
Enter METCALF and ELSWORTH.
ELSWORTH. Ha, ha, ha! Bravo, Metcalf! a good jest, sir.—Bridget disguised as Rose—ha! ha! ha!
METCALF. It's exquisitely funny, sir—only I think you don't quite understand it—
ELSWORTH. It's you, Metcalf, that don't understand it. It's nothing but a piece of military deviltry. Why, my innocent sir, Armstrong's confinement is only a sham—it doesn't mean anything—Cleveland told me so himself—he will be free to-night. I shouldn't wonder if they were drinking and carousing together now. Bless you, Metcalf, it's only one of Cleveland's practical jokes. But I must go and find Rose, and tell her all about it—it will give her such a laugh. How the Captain will stare when he finds it out, to be sure!
[Exit.
METCALF. Well, wise one, if you insist upon having it in that way, why, do so—I suppose Miss Rose can fight her battles without your help. It was devilish lucky, though, I overheard that plan of theirs, or the Captain would have been victimized—damnably—ay, damnably—if it be swearing—and a capital crime at Fidlington School. I wonder where Bridget is—Bridget bona fide—I mean—a delicious girl,—I love her—I will conjugate her. Nobody in the walks—the marriage not over yet—bless me! I do believe that I am trembling like a refractory scholar with a prospective birching. If it should fail—but it won't, it can't—Rose is a girl to carry anything through.
Re-enter MR. ELSWORTH.
ELSWORTH. Where can Rose be, I wonder! I can't find her anywhere. Everybody inquiring for her—everybody laughing too about the jest upon Armstrong. Ah, these military fellows are such practical jokers—so full of deviltry, to be sure! Who could have thought of such a trick?
METCALF. No civilian, you may be sure, sir. [Aside, looking off.] Eh? There they are. The deed is done. It's all right, ha! ha! ha! I'll cut. That Major has a sanguinary way of contemplating me that has blood in it—blood! [Aloud.] I think I saw Rose in this direction, sir, with the Major; I dare say we can find her, if we go along.
ELSWORTH. Come, sir, then.
[Exeunt.
Enter MAJOR CLEVELAND.
CLEVELAND. It's done, and they are fast married. Aha, my lady, who now has the game? Armstrong looked astounded, but, expecting some plan to aid him, he fell into the trap without asking a question. Now, now, my course is clear!
Enter ELSWORTH.
ELSWORTH. Where can Rose be, to be sure? The guests are leaving, and I must find her to give them a good-night. Ah, Major! Have you seen my daughter?
Enter LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH.
LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH. Sir, sir, do you not know that Rose has clandestinely been introduced into the presence of Armstrong—
ELSWORTH. No! has she, though? You d-o-n-t say so! Let me whisper a word, Master Harry—a beautiful joke—it was Bridget—
LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH. No, sir, it was Rose herself.
CLEVELAND. The young man is right.
ELSWORTH. How! What do you say?
CLEVELAND. Simply, sir, by the richest scheme in the world, this rebel's union with your daughter is rendered impossible. I told you the marriage was a jest—a sham. It was not—quite the contrary.
ELSWORTH. Do I understand you to say, sir, that you have really tricked Captain Armstrong into a marriage with—
CLEVELAND. To be sure, sir. It will be the sport of the whole army. The disgrace you feared cannot now occur. Miss Elsworth can never be that rustic's wife—thanks, sir, to my splendid idea. Aha, it was a glorious thought, glorious!
ELSWORTH. Now, damn all respect for the red-coats.
CLEVELAND. Ha!
ELSWORTH. Sir, you have been guilty of a vile scheme. You have put my house to a dishonourable use. You have betrayed one of my guests infamously. Oh! that one of His Majesty's officers could lend himself to a scheme like this.
CLEVELAND. Why, sir, I thought—
_Enter _ROSE and WALTER, back.
ELSWORTH. That I would sanction such a plot. Major Cleveland, your conduct has made me half a rebel. It was devilish—diabolical, sir!
CLEVELAND. But—
Enter METCALF, dancing.
METCALF. Armstrong has escaped.
CLEVELAND. Escaped! Again! Impossible!
METCALF. He has, or may I be birched.
Enter LIEUTENANT MARVIN.
MARVIN. Sir, the prisoner has escaped—and the woman—
CLEVELAND. By heaven! it shall not be—a hundred pounds reward for him!
ROSE. [Approaching with WALTER.] I claim the reward, Major
Cleveland.
CLEVELAND. You! The prisoner here! How came he free?
ROSE. By your signet. The sentry knew and acknowledged it.
CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth?
ROSE. Mrs. Armstrong, by your kind assistance.
CLEVELAND. Ha! What do you mean?
ROSE. Permit me to present you to my husband.
CLEVELAND. Your husband! What does this mean?
ROSE. I did have the trump card, sir, and have taken the trick.
CLEVELAND. I am bewildered—I cannot understand—
ROSE. Can't you see? [Imitating him.] "How would you like to make twenty pounds? Ha, ha, ha! only as jest! a splendid jest! we'll have such a run on the Captain! As I want pastime, and my prospects—"
CLEVELAND. The wench has betrayed me.
ROSE. You never spoke a word to Bridget. I was the only person you saw.
CLEVELAND. You!
ROSE. Even I. Did I act it to the life?
CLEVELAND. Caught! Tricked! Fool! By—! Madam, this is a farce.
ROSE. Sir, I know it, but it has been played out, and you unwittingly have acted the clown.
ELSWORTH. I am confounded.
CLEVELAND. The end is not yet. I refuse to be governed by a forced construction to a promise which I meant to apply differently. The rebel is still my prisoner. He is surrounded.
ROSE. If your promise is not observed to the letter, I'll proclaim you through the army. I'll degrade you in the eyes of every English officer and gentleman in the land. You disgrace your sword, sir, by this very hesitation. Your bitter, unsoldierly, and dishonourable hatred and persecution of an honourable prisoner, drove me to an extremity which nothing but a question of life or death could have persuaded me to undertake. My womanly modesty I was forced to outrage. You compelled me to stoop to things which I abhorred. But I have a brother who is an English officer; a husband who is an American one. Be careful, sir, in what way you use my name in connection with this night's work, for, be assured, they will not fail to punish a ribald, a slanderous, or a libertine tongue. Consent to Captain Armstrong's release, and your discomfiture remains a secret; refuse, and with one word, I'll have all our guests upon the spot and a public confession.
CLEVELAND. It's absurd to suppose that I'm to be bound by such figments as you have woven. The thing is too ridiculous!
ROSE. You acknowledged the binding nature of your promise, when you attempted, with such heartless cruelty, to entrap the Captain into a marriage with a servant. How would that story sound, think you? And what would be said of the sagacity and discernment of an officer who could allow such a deceit to be practised upon him as I practised upon you? Dear me! I think, Major, that you are in a quandary.
METCALF. [Aside.] In a ditch!
ROSE. We await your decision. Shall the Captain be free and this little jest go no further?
CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth—
ROSE. Excuse me if I assist your memory—Mrs. Armstrong.
CLEVELAND. Madam, I yield to a woman. You fight with weapons I do not understand—
ROSE. With wit, eh?
CLEVELAND. [Aside.] There is no hope for me. She has me at every point. I may as well yield with what grace I can. [Aloud.] Miss Elsworth, I am at your mercy. May not this night's work be forgotten? Captain Armstrong, I swore if ever I caught you, that you should pay dearly for that daring trick of yours—that bold capture of a fellow-officer, sleeping by my very side—but this lady has checkmated me.
WALTER. Checkmated you, sir, and mated me.
CLEVELAND. Both were done by the same move.
ELSWORTH. And you are married, Rose?
ROSE. I will bear Walter's name when we are publicly married, sir—which now, I trust, will be with your sanction.
ELSWORTH. You have it. You have won a husband, if ever woman did.
LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH. Walter, if you were only more true to the right—
WALTER. Oh, Harry! We will discuss that question yet. I shall make you [In his ear.] a convert; be sure of it.
Enter CAPTAIN ARBALD and KATE.
KATE. Why, the company is breaking up. We missed you all, sadly. Here come the guests.
CLEVELAND. Ah, Arbald, I'm afraid you will have to forego Miss Rose, here—
ARBALD. To pluck a flower no less sweet.
ROSE. What? Why, Kate—
ARBALD. I have your sister's consent, Miss Elsworth, conditioned only that you all accord with her decision.
ROSE. And so you have been making love under the rose all this while. Do not doubt our good wishes.
METCALF. I wonder where Bridget is. I'll pop the question before morning.
ELSWORTH. Rose, you have neglected your friends. Let us go in.
ROSE. Our first duty is to the friends before us—
WALTER. To which faction do they adhere—red or blue?
ROSE. True blue and rebel, I'll be sworn—but I will ask them! [Comes forward. To ARMSTRONG.] You see, sir, they respond already. [To the Audience.] Do you approve the Whiggish maid, and sanction her schemes so boldly played? The heart of love is heroic in every age; and after all
What difference can we affix,
Twixt love to-day, and Love in '76?
CURTAIN.
The End.