ROSE_ assumes an air of cool indifference, and flings herself carelessly in a chair._ MAJOR CLEVELAND appears astonished. MR. ELSWORTH and the others look surprised and incredulous.
PICTURE TO CLOSE OF ACT.
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.