elf.

CLEVELAND. The young man is right.

ELSWORTH. How! What do you say?

CLEVELAND. Simply, sir, by the richest scheme in the world, this
rebel's union with your daughter is rendered impossible. I told you
the marriage was a jest--a sham. It was not--quite the contrary.

ELSWORTH. Do I understand you to say, sir, that you have really
tricked Captain Armstrong into a marriage with--

CLEVELAND. To be sure, sir. It will be the sport of the whole army.
The disgrace you feared cannot now occur. Miss Elsworth can never be
that rustic's wife--thanks, sir, to my splendid idea. Aha, it was a
glorious thought, glorious!

ELSWORTH. Now, damn all respect for the red-coats.

CLEVELAND. Ha!

ELSWORTH. Sir, you have been guilty of a vile scheme. You have put
my house to a dishonourable use. You have betrayed one of my guests
infamously. Oh! that one of His Majesty's officers could lend himself
to a scheme like this.

CLEVELAND. Why, sir, I thought--

_Enter _ROSE _and_ WALTER, _back_.

ELSWORTH. That I would sanction such a plot. Major Cleveland, your
conduct has made me half a rebel. It was devilish--diabolical, sir!

CLEVELAND. But--

_Enter_ METCALF, _dancing_.

METCALF. Armstrong has escaped.

CLEVELAND. Escaped! Again! Impossible!

METCALF. He has, or may I be birched.

_Enter_ LIEUTENANT MARVIN.

MARVIN. Sir, the prisoner has escaped--and the woman--

CLEVELAND. By heaven! it shall not be--a hundred pounds reward for
him!

ROSE. [_Approaching with_ WALTER.] I claim the reward, Major
Cleveland.

CLEVELAND. You! The prisoner here! How came he free?

ROSE. By your signet. The sentry knew and acknowledged it.

CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth?

ROSE. Mrs. Armstrong, by your kind assistance.

CLEVELAND. Ha! What do you mean?

ROSE. Permit me to present you to my husband.

CLEVELAND. Your husband! What does this mean?

ROSE. I _did have_ the trump card, sir, and have taken the trick.

CLEVELAND. I am bewildered--I cannot understand--

ROSE. Can't you see? [_Imitating him._] "How would you like to make
twenty pounds? Ha, ha, ha! only as jest! a splendid jest! we'll have
such a run on the Captain! As I want pastime, and my prospects--"

CLEVELAND. The wench has betrayed me.

ROSE. You never spoke a word to Bridget. I was the only person you
saw.

CLEVELAND. You!

ROSE. Even I. Did I act it to the life?

CLEVELAND. Caught! Tricked! Fool! By--! Madam, this is a farce.

ROSE. Sir, I know it, but