expressibly!

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.

ROSE. We must conceal you, then.

ARMSTRONG. If you've a rat hole into which you can crowd me.

HARRY. I must be ignorant of your movements. I will go and receive
them. [_Exit_.

ARMSTRONG. Whose command is it?

ROSE. Major Cleveland's.

ARMSTRONG. Eh? The man of men who itches to get hold of my
insignificant person. He has offered L50 for it.

KATE. [_At the window_.] Away! They are dismounting at the door.

ROSE. You, Bridget--I can trust you--quick, to the loft with him.

KATE. [_Still at the window_.] Quick! quick!

ARMSTRONG. Stow me away among your rubbish.

[ROSE _urges them off_. WALTER _snatches a kiss from_ ROSE'S _hand as
he exits with_ BRIDGET.

KATE. I do declare Captain Arbald is below, and I am sadly deranged.

ROSE. Oh, fearfully! Run to your glass, by all means. Set your
springes, for these red birds are rare game.

KATE. Sister! But I'll be revenged. [_Exit_ KATE.

_Enter_ MAJOR CLEVELAND, _ushered in by_ LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH, _who
withdraws_.

ELSWORTH. My dear Major Clevel