soner.

CLEVELAND. Ha! what's this? [_Reading the inscription by a torch_.]
"To Rose, from Walter!" Madam, I understand you now. I was deceived.
Permit me to be the means of restoring this valued token from a dear
friend. Would it not be a strange vicissitude if the finding of
the trinket should be the means of losing the friend? Conduct your
prisoner hence.

[_Exeunt all but_ ROSE _and_ CLEVELAND.

ROSE. Major Cleveland, Captain Armstrong must be allowed to go free. I
have your promise. I hold you to it.

CLEVELAND. My promise--

ROSE. Look! [_Pointing to the signet received from the_ MAJOR.

CLEVELAND. Aha! Then it was Captain Armstrong, and not Captain Arbald,
to whom you alluded in our interview. I was beginning to suspect the
trick.

ROSE. Your shrewdness would have done you more credit if you had
detected it before. As it is, I have your signet and your promise to
save Captain Armstrong.

CLEVELAND. But the promise referred only to your husband.

ROSE. Captain Armstrong is my betrothed husband.

CLEVELAND. Ay, but at present is a prisoner. You see, madam, I hold
the cards.

ROSE. Your pardon, sir, but I have the game.

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 ARB