CLEVELAND. A great many thanks, my dear Elsworth. I'm delighted to meet so true-hearted a loyalist. We pushed our march to partake of your hospitality. Ah, Miss Elsworth! How shall I express my delight in finding that Time, who deals so inexorably with us, has been induced to favour you. It gives me infinite pleasure, Miss Elsworth, to meet you once again, for the recollection of the occasions we have met previously are bright spots in my memory.
ROSE. Oh, sir, I thank you.
ELSWORTH. And how, sir, comes on the royal cause? Will it be long ere these rebels are taught their duty to their King?
CLEVELAND. Have no apprehensions, my dear Elsworth. Another campaign will scatter them to the mountains, and a live rebel be so great a curiosity, that to cage one and exhibit him would make a showman's fortune.
ROSE. [Aside.] If he knew there were a caged one here now!
ELSWORTH. But come, Major Cleveland, where are your companions? I must see why they have not followed you.
CLEVELAND. They are delayed for a moment with the troop. By the way, Miss Elsworth, I believe that there are a couple of gentlemen without, who are old admirers of yours—Captain Arbald and Lieutenant Marvin.
ROSE. Old, Major! You flatter my taste.
CLEVELAND. Why, with beauty I thought the conquest of the morning stale matter by night.
ROSE. Oh, sir, if staleness went to make their age, they would be proverbed instead of Methuselah.