CLEVELAND. I regret to say, my dear Elsworth, that this gentleman must, for a few hours, remain my prisoner. A mere form, sir. He will, doubtless, be free in a few days. I shall have to make use of one of your barns, sir. It is really a pity that the Captain must be deprived of the dance to-night, but I will take care that his confinement shall not be severe. ROSE. This, sir, is a shameful breach of hospitality. Captain Armstrong is my father's guest, no less than yourself. Every consideration of delicacy and honour requires you to consider him so. CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth, I could wish you not to consider me wrong or cruel in this. ROSE. I judge, sir, by what I see. CLEVELAND. You are severe. ROSE. I am glad you find me so. CLEVELAND. Will you not say peace? ROSE. War, Major Cleveland, to the last. ELSWORTH. Daughter, more courtesy. ROSE. Oh! father, they may chain and bind our poor country, but they cannot find a way to chain a free woman's free tongue. CLEVELAND. Lieutenant Elsworth, I place the Captain in your charge. Conduct him to a safe place. HARRY. This is the hard necessity of duty. ELSWORTH. And this will really be nothing serious? CLEVELAND. A bagatelle, I do assure you, sir. WALTER. [_Aside_.] I thank him for calming the fears of the family--but I know how hard it will go with me. HARRY. Walter-- WALTER. I go, Harry. Rose! ROSE. [_Aside, with a sudden thought_.] Go! Say nothing. WALTER. Come, sir. [_To_ HARRY. ROSE_ assumes an air of cool indifference, and flings herself carelessly in a chair._ MAJOR CLEVELAND _appears astonished_. MR. ELSWORTH _and the others look surprised and incredulous_. PICTURE TO CLOSE OF ACT. ACT II. SCENE.--_A Garden.--House in the background, illuminated_. _Enter_ ROSE _and_ MAJOR CLEVELAND _from house_, ROSE _hanging on the_ MAJOR'S _arm_. ROSE. It was really absurd--was it not?--to think me the champion of that country clown. Poor fellow! I couldn't bear his discomfited looks, Major, and so, out of old companionship, what could I do less than stand up for him? There won't be anything positively serious, will there, eh? I should be sorry to have it so, inasmuch as he fell into the trap under my father's roof. But don't you think I made a good champion? It was really presumptuous for the fellow to come here, though. These rustic clowns thrust themselves everywhere. CLEVELAND. What, Miss Elsworth, Captain Armstrong, then, is nothing-- ROSE. Nothing in the world, I assure you, but a harmless country lad! Do tell me, Major, am I not a good actor? CLEVELAND. Excellent. I really could have supposed that this American stood high in your esteem. ROSE. Oh, I like him well enough. He is among the best the country affords, but that is very bad, you know. CLEVELAND. Then you bear me no malice? ROSE. Not enough to kill a gnat. CLEVELAND. Ah, Miss Elsworth, this assurance gives me the greatest pleasure.