[They shake hands ceremoniously.
ROSE. Now, gentlemen, sit down. You, Major, shall have a seat upon the sofa by my side. Captain Fuller, please, take the chair near you. [The gentlemen seat themselves.] Now, you see, I am between you, and shall prevent warfare. I here proclaim a truce. The Captain, Major, wants to join our ball to-night. I have promised him my hand the next after yours.
CLEVELAND. [Scrutinizing WALTER closely.] I'm quite ready, Miss
Elsworth, to laugh at a joke, but really I cannot understand—
ROSE. Why two gentlemen cannot meet under my father's roof, as his guests, and not fall to tearing each other to pieces? Is it the modern way to make war in parlours, instead of the field?
CLEVELAND. Strange, very strange. Your pardon, Captain Fuller, but I cannot help remarking that you closely resemble a description I have received of one Captain Armstrong.
ROSE. Dear me, and who is Captain Armstrong, pray?
CLEVELAND. A rebel, madam.
ROSE. I like him for that.
CLEVELAND. A spy.
ROSE. But what has all this to do with Captain Fuller? I have known the Captain, Major, for some years, and I think you can take my word for it, he is no spy.