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.

HARRY. This way, sir; I myself will conduct you to a chamber.

[_Exeunt_ CLEVELAND _and_ HARRY.

ELSWORTH. This is a situation, indeed, for a royalist gentleman!
My house filled with the King's officers, and a proscribed
rebel concealed above. If discovered, I tremble to think of the
consequences. [_Exit_.

_Enter_ ROSE.