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.

CLEVELAND.  Gay, dashing; brave of heart, and witty of tongue.

ROSE.  Then they have been studying the almanac.  When I saw them last, they hadn’t a grain of wit—­not even by scratching.

CLEVELAND.  Really, Mr. Elsworth, your daughter has a sharp tongue.

ELSWORTH.  It is her humour, sir.  Her passes are but play.

CLEVELAND.  I’ll be sworn her heart is as true as her wit.  She is—­

ROSE.  Rebel, sir, from top to toe!

[Enter ARBALD, MARVIN, and HARRY.]

Ah, gentlemen, my best welcome.  My father will be proud to greet you—­

ELSWORTH.  And most happy to know you, gentlemen.

[Enter SERVANT, with wine.]

Major Cleveland, will you do me the honour—­

CLEVELAND.  Sir, I esteem it an honour.  Gentlemen, I hope you will all fill in honour of our host. [They gather around, fill, and drink to MR. ELSWORTH.] Fill again, gentlemen, and honour the toast I am going to propose.  The ladies! speedy priests and rings.

ROSE.  A doubtful compliment, Major Cleveland.

CLEVELAND.  Can you think so?

ROSE.  Ay, sir; for marriages, though called matches, are mostly sad patch-work.

CLEVELAND.  And the unmarried—­

ROSE.  Oh, they are even worse.  Old maids and old bachelors are the tossed about odds and ends of humanity.

CLEVELAND. [Going over to her.] The happiest wit, madam, I ever heard.

ROSE.  Captain Arbald, will you grant me your arm?  I’m sure you would like a turn in the garden.  I shouldn’t wonder if my sister were upon the grounds.  Lieutenant Marvin, will you go with us?  Kate is dying for the sight of a red-coat. [Exit.

CLEVELAND.  A merry-hearted woman, Mr. Elsworth.  There is a touch of sly deviltry in her composition.

ELSWORTH.  I fear lest her indiscreet tongue—­

CLEVELAND.  Not at all, my dear friend!  Lieutenant, I have been informed within an hour, that one Captain Armstrong has been seen this day within five miles of this place.  On account of his connection with a certain affair, I wouldn’t let him escape me at any sacrifice.  I have already dispatched dragoons in his pursuit.  At earliest dawn I shall expect you to head a detachment in his search.  Meanwhile, sir, I should be grateful for an opportunity to repair my toilet.