ARMSTRONG.  You will pardon me, sir, I trust, for this intrusion.  I have reached this place with some danger, for these parts abound with a set of fellows who have a fancy for wishing everybody else’s skin the colour of their own coats.  Mr. Elsworth, my sense of duty has compelled me to pursue a path which has estranged me from your friendship.  Let me ask frankly, sir, if it must separate me from one who has honoured me with her consideration and affection?

ELSWORTH.  You allude to my daughter—­to Rose—­

ARMSTRONG.  I do, sir.

ELSWORTH. Mister Armstrong—­for I acknowledge no title bestowed by an unlawful authority—­I would rather wed my daughter to a Turk than to one who had so forgotten his duty to his country.

[Goes up.—­ARMSTRONG bows.

HARRY.  Walter, we were friends once, but, as His Majesty’s servant, I can offer no compromise to a rebel. Now you must not think of a union with our family. [Goes up.

ROSE.  This is nothing but blind prejudice.  It has neither sense nor justice.  Hear me.  That for which you discard him places him higher in my esteem—­shows me how worthy he is of the respect and honour of every true woman.  My greatest pride is that he to whom I have pledged my hand wears those colours.

ARMSTRONG.  Generous girl!

ELSWORTH.  Rose, you pain me inexpressibly!

ROSE.  I am not a giddy girl, sir.  I’m a woman—­old enough to know my own heart, and to decide between right and wrong.  Walter, go, and carry with you assurances of my unwavering fidelity.

Enter BRIDGET, hurriedly.

BRIDGET.  Oh, my good gracious! dear me, good gracious! gracious, goodness, me!  Such a lot of soldiers—­all coming down the road.

ARMSTRONG.  Eh?  Red or blue?

BRIDGET.  Bless me, goodness gracious, you here, Mr. Armstrong?  You’d better look out, sir, for they are red coats, and there’s a big number of them, too.

ARMSTRONG.  I must vanish. [Running to the window.] Why, we’re surrounded on every side.  By Jove, I’m in a trap!

ROSE.  What will you do?

ARMSTRONG.  To the north of the house.  Perhaps I can reach the forest—­

BRIDGET.  They’re all around that way, sir.

HARRY.  I wish that you could escape, Walter, without my knowledge.  This is the regiment to which I belong.  You were foolhardy to venture here.

ARMSTRONG.  I believe I’m caged, that’s certain.  And I’ve no desire to be caught either, for they bear especial malice against me.  If they should know me for the fellow who played a certain trick upon them, an hour’s time would suffice for them to make me an ornament to one of your old oaks on the lawn—­a style of decoration that might suit their taste, but which wouldn’t accord with my fancy.

ROSE.  Do they know your person?

ARMSTRONG.  From description, probably.