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 ARBALD _and _KATE. ARBALD. Really, Miss Kate, you do me injustice--but if I could only induce you to intercede-- KATE. Plead your cause for you. [_Aside_.] Blind and stupid! Can't he see that I am dying for that my sister laughs at. ARBALD. If I could but find that lost bracelet-- KATE. Hush! Who comes here? [_They withdraw_. _Enter_ MAJOR CLEVELAND, MR. ELSWORTH, LIEUTENANT ELSWORTH, _and_ METCALF _behind_. ELSWORTH. Declared to you that she would marry Captain Armstrong-- CLEVELAND. Yes, my dear sir, and I felt it my duty to acquaint you. HARRY. I will go to the Captain and demand a satisfactory-- CLEVELAND. Your pardon, young gentleman. Captain Armstrong is now my prisoner; and I shall hold him safe for my own purposes. ELSWORTH. In face of my commands this day pronounced. It is monstrous. I must seek out Rose, and have an explanation. [_Exit_. KATE. [_Aside to_ ARBALD.] You see, sir, how little the bracelet would plead in your cause. ARBALD. I do, indeed. [_They saunter off_. HARRY. I do not, sir, often ask favours of you. This day my father forbade Armstrong from entertaining any intentions relative to my sister. He has insulted me, my father, and Rose. I wish to chastise him, sir. CLEVELAND. Tut, tut! I will not give his cunning a chance to plan another escape. The best thing you can do is to help me to prevent the possibility of the marriage. HARRY. You are my superior. I have no choice but to obey. But I long to inflict the punishment due to his treachery. [_Exit_.