ELSWORTH. _Mister_ Armstrong--for I acknowledge no title bestowed by an unlawful authority--I would rather wed my daughter to a Turk than to one who had so forgotten his duty to his country. [_Goes up_.--ARMSTRONG _bows_. HARRY. Walter, we were friends once, but, as His Majesty's servant, I can offer no compromise to a rebel. _Now_ you must not think of a union with our family. [_Goes up_. ROSE. This is nothing but blind prejudice. It has neither sense nor justice. Hear me. That for which you discard him places him higher in my esteem--shows me how worthy he is of the respect and honour of every true woman. My greatest pride is that he to whom I have pledged my hand wears those colours. ARMSTRONG. Generous girl! ELSWORTH. Rose, you pain me inexpressibly! ROSE. I am not a giddy girl, sir. I'm a woman--old enough to know my own heart, and to decide between right and wrong. Walter, go, and carry with you assurances of my unwavering fidelity. _Enter_ BRIDGET, _hurriedly_. BRIDGET. Oh, my good gracious! dear me, good gracious! gracious, goodness, me! Such a lot of soldiers--all coming down the road. ARMSTRONG. Eh? Red or blue? BRIDGET. Bless me, goodness gracious, you here, Mr. Armstrong? You'd better look out, sir, for they are red coats, and there's a big number of them, too. ARMSTRONG. I must vanish. [_Running to the window_.] Why, we're surrounded on every side. By Jove, I'm in a trap! ROSE. What will you do? ARMSTRONG. To the north of the house. Perhaps I can reach the forest-- BRIDGET. They're all around that way, sir. HARRY. I wish that you could escape, Walter, without my knowledge. This is the regiment to which I belong. You were foolhardy to venture here. ARMSTRONG. I believe I'm caged, that's certain. And I've no desire to be caught either, for they bear especial malice against me. If they should know me for the fellow who played a certain trick upon them, an hour's time would suffice for them to make me an ornament to one of your old oaks on the lawn--a style of decoration that might suit their taste, but which wouldn't accord with my fancy. ROSE. Do they know your person? ARMSTRONG. From description, probably. ROSE. We must conceal you, then. ARMSTRONG. If you've a rat hole into which you can crowd me. HARRY. I must be ignorant of your movements. I will go and receive them. [_Exit_. ARMSTRONG. Whose command is it? ROSE. Major Cleveland's. ARMSTRONG. Eh? The man of men who itches to get hold of my insignificant person. He has offered L50 for it. KATE. [_At the window_.] Away! They are dismounting at the door. ROSE. You, Bridget--I can trust you--quick, to the loft with him. KATE. [_Still at the window_.] Quick! quick! ARMSTRONG. Stow me away among your rubbish. [ROSE _urges them off_. WALTER _snatches a kiss from_ ROSE'S _hand as he exits with_ BRIDGET. KATE. I do declare Captain Arbald is below, and I am sadly deranged.