CLEVELAND. They took very much to you.
ROSE. So did the measles, sir.
CLEVELAND. They are desperately enamoured of you—would do any difficult thing—even die for you.
ROSE. So they once told me, but I courtesied, and replied that I should prefer a live rebel to even two dead loyalists.
CLEVELAND. And then—
ROSE. They vowed to live for me. I begged of them to put themselves to no such inconvenience; that I wouldn't trouble them to do anything of the kind; that if they didn't think it worth while to live for themselves, I shouldn't intrude upon any suicidal intention they might entertain.
CLEVELAND. And so they lived—
ROSE. But I had no hand in it; I am innocent; my skirts are clear of the melancholy fact.
CLEVELAND. They are noble gentlemen, Miss Elsworth. You must bear with me if I defend them. They are good soldiers, and fine-looking fellows.
ROSE. For which I thank their tailors.