me so himself--he will be free to-night. I shouldn't wonder if they
were drinking and carousing together now. Bless you, Metcalf, it's
only one of Cleveland's practical jokes. But I must go and find Rose,
and tell her all about it--it will give her such a laugh. How the
Captain will stare when he finds it out, to be sure!

[_Exit._

METCALF. Well, wise one, if you insist upon having it in that way,
why, do so--I suppose Miss Rose can fight her battles without your
help. It was devilish lucky, though, I overheard that plan of theirs,
or the Captain would have been victimized--damnably--ay, damnably--if
it be swearing--and a capital crime at Fidlington School. I wonder
where Bridget is--Bridget _bona fide_--I mean--a delicious girl,--I
love her--I will conjugate her. Nobody in the walks--the marriage not
over yet--bless me! I do believe that I am trembling like a refractory
scholar with a prospective birching. If it should fail--but it won't,
it can't--Rose is a girl to carry anything through.

_Re-enter_ MR. ELSWORTH.

ELSWORTH. Where can Rose be, I wonder! I can't find her anywhere.
Everybody inquiring for her--everybody laughing too about the
jest upon Armstrong. Ah, these military fellows are such practical
jokers--so full of deviltry, to be sure! Who could have thought of
such a trick?

METCALF. No civilian, you may be sure, sir. [_Aside, looking off_.]
Eh? There they are. The deed is done. It's all right, ha! ha! ha!
I'll cut. That Major has a sanguinary way of contemplating me that has
blood in it--blood! [_Aloud._] I think I saw Rose in this direction,
sir, with the Major; I dare say we can find her, if we go along.

ELSWORTH. Come, sir, then.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ MAJOR CLEVELAND.

CLEVELAND. It's done, and they are fast married. Aha, my lady, who now
has the game? Armstrong looked astounded, but, expecting some plan to
aid him, he fell into the trap without asking a question. Now, now, my
course is clear!

_Enter_ ELSWORTH.

ELSWORTH. Where can Rose be, to be sure? The guests are leaving, and
I must find her to give them a good-night. Ah, Major! Have you seen my
daughter?

_Enter_ LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH.

LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH. Sir, sir, do you not know that Rose has
clandestinely been introduced into the presence of Armstrong--

ELSWORTH. No! has she, though? You d-o-n-t say so! Let me whisper a
word, Master Harry--a beautiful joke--it was Bridget--

LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH. No, sir, it was Rose hers