CLEVELAND.  Eh!  Is not the Captain in my hands?

ROSE.  Before to-morrow morning he shall be in mine.

CLEVELAND.  Confound it, madam, I’ll keep so strict a guard upon him, a fly sha’n’t light upon him without my knowing it.

ROSE.  Do so, and if you were argus-eyed into the bargain, I’d marry him before to-morrow morning.

CLEVELAND.  Ha! is it come to that?  I’ll march this hour.

ROSE.  It would be too late.

CLEVELAND.  This moment, then.

ROSE.  I would anticipate you.

CLEVELAND.  Zounds, madam, you talk idly.

ROSE.  Zounds, sir, you talk without reason.

CLEVELAND.  I’ll go to him at once—­put a pistol to his head—­blow his brains out, and—­

ROSE.  Make me his widow.

CLEVELAND.  Deuce take it, you’re mad.

ROSE.  Mad if you will, Major Cleveland.  It is a struggle between us.  Look to it, sir.  You may be bold, valourous, cunning—­vastly so; but you have a woman’s wit against you—­so look to it!

CLEVELAND.  Confound it.

ROSE.  Bravo! bravo!  Your passion, sir, well becomes you—­

CLEVELAND.  Deaths and devils! [Exit.

ROSE.  Ha, ha, ha!

[Enter METCALF.]

Here!  Here, Mr. Metcalf—­follow Major Cleveland; watch every step; don’t lose sight of him for a moment.

METCALF.  Trust me; I’ll be his shadow from this time forth. [Exeunt separately.

Enter CAPTAIN ARBALD and KATE.

ARBALD.  Really, Miss Kate, you do me injustice—­but if I could only induce you to intercede—­

KATE.  Plead your cause for you. [Aside.] Blind and stupid!  Can’t he see that I am dying for that my sister laughs at.

ARBALD.  If I could but find that lost bracelet—­

KATE.  Hush!  Who comes here?

[They withdraw.

Enter MAJOR CLEVELAND, MR. ELSWORTH, LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH, and METCALF behind.

ELSWORTH.  Declared to you that she would marry Captain Armstrong—­

CLEVELAND.  Yes, my dear sir, and I felt it my duty to acquaint you.

HARRY.  I will go to the Captain and demand a satisfactory—­

CLEVELAND.  Your pardon, young gentleman.  Captain Armstrong is now my prisoner; and I shall hold him safe for my own purposes.

ELSWORTH.  In face of my commands this day pronounced.  It is monstrous. 
I must seek out Rose, and have an explanation.

[Exit.

KATE. [Aside to ARBALD.] You see, sir, how little the bracelet would plead in your cause.

ARBALD.  I do, indeed.

[They saunter off.

HARRY.  I do not, sir, often ask favours of you.  This day my father forbade Armstrong from entertaining any intentions relative to my sister.  He has insulted me, my father, and Rose.  I wish to chastise him, sir.