ROSE. Foolish man! You are ruining all. Walter, for my sake go back
again. This is a ridiculous and false sense of honour.
WALTER. No, Rose, I am resolved--
ROSE. Walter, I implore you--
[_Enter_ MAJOR CLEVELAND.]
[_Aside_.] Ha! Lost! [_Aloud_.] Oh, Major Cleveland, how opportune.
Pray let me make you acquainted with Captain Fuller. A friend of my
father's, sir--a neighbour. Captain Fuller, Major Cleveland. Allow me
to commend you, gentlemen, to each other's better acquaintance.
CLEVELAND. A rebel officer. This is very extraordinary.
ROSE. Let me see you shake hands, gentlemen, for here, you know, you
must be friends. If you like to cut each other's throats elsewhere, so
be it; but, of course, you sheathe your swords, and swear peace in the
presence of a lady.
CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth well rebukes us. Captain Fuller, for the
time being, the red and the blue rejoice under a common auspices--Miss
Elsworth smiles.
[_They shake hands ceremoniously_.
ROSE. Now, gentlemen, sit down. You, Major, shall have a seat upon
the sofa by my side. Captain Fuller, please, take the chair near you.
[_The gentlemen seat themselves_.] Now, you see, I am between you, and
shall prevent warfare. I here proclaim a truce. The Captain, Major,
wants to join our ball to-night. I have promised him my hand the next
after yours.
CLEVELAND. [_Scrutinizing_ WALTER _closely_.] I'm quite ready, Miss
Elsworth, to laugh at a joke, but really I cannot understand--
ROSE.
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