ROSE. Don't hurt the poor fellow though, Major, I beg of you. I should be quite sorry if anything happened to him. He is a good-natured, useful neighbour enough--an unpolished jewel, papa calls him. Ah, Major, our social wants in this community are lamentable enough, when we are obliged to content ourselves with such a poor substitute as you have seen, for all the polish and manner of London circles. CLEVELAND. Lamentable, indeed, Miss Elsworth! ROSE. The war brings one boon, at least,--the society of gentlemen. CLEVELAND. Very true, indeed. ROSE. [_Aside._] Hem! Major Cleveland, I'll so wheedle you this night you shall cry enough to a woman, even if it so happen that you have never done it to a man. So look to it, my valiant Major! Look to it! CLEVELAND. Do you know, dear Miss Elsworth, that I could wish to see you in these troubled times united to some one who could afford you the protection which only a husband can extend? ROSE. [_Behind her fan._] Oh, Major! CLEVELAND. [_Taking her hand._] I cannot be mistaken in the surmise that you love already. ROSE. [_With a sigh._] Oh, sir! CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth! Rose! Confide in me! I am your friend. ROSE. [_With affected confusion._] I believe you, Major Cleveland. I--I--really, sir--I implore you to believe me--I have nothing to confide. CLEVELAND. Do not be offended, Miss Elsworth. I have your interest at heart. Pardon me--but Captain Arbald--[ROSE _starts and appears agitated._] believes, or at least hopes, that he is acceptable to you. I am very deeply his friend--very deeply yours. ROSE. It is very pleasant to hear you say so, Major Cleveland. CLEVELAND. Then you do look upon him with favour? ROSE. Alas, Major Cleveland, these wars, these wars! CLEVELAND. They separate us from those who are dearest to us--they come between us and our hearts' affections. ROSE. Do they not daily threaten us with a heart widowhood? CLEVELAND. Ah, Miss Elsworth--Rose, let me call you--I see you are thinking of the young Captain. You love him! ROSE. [_Aside._] Walter, I must save you by whatever means! [_Aloud._] Oh, Major, let me beg of you one thing--let me hear you promise what I will ask you. You assure me you are my friend. Then grant me a pledge. Promise me to--to protect-- CLEVELAND. The Captain-- ROSE. Who is to be my husband. CLEVELAND. You delight me. Are you then pledged? ROSE. We are. CLEVELAND. The young rascal. He never told me so. And jealous enough, I'll be sworn he is, to see me monopolize your society, as I do. ROSE. His life is almost in your hands. Often you can save him from danger. CLEVELAND. You will marry him? ROSE. [_Abashed._] Yes. CLEVELAND. I give you the pledge, then, you ask. Make him your husband, and for your sake I will defend and protect him to the extent of my power.