Major Cleveland, your
conduct has made me half a rebel. It was devilish--diabolical, sir!
CLEVELAND. But--
_Enter_ METCALF, _dancing_.
METCALF. Armstrong has escaped.
CLEVELAND. Escaped! Again! Impossible!
METCALF. He has, or may I be birched.
_Enter_ LIEUTENANT MARVIN.
MARVIN. Sir, the prisoner has escaped--and the woman--
CLEVELAND. By heaven! it shall not be--a hundred pounds reward for
him!
ROSE. [_Approaching with_ WALTER.] I claim the reward, Major
Cleveland.
CLEVELAND. You! The prisoner here! How came he free?
ROSE. By your signet. The sentry knew and acknowledged it.
CLEVELAND. Miss Elsworth?
ROSE. Mrs. Armstrong, by your kind assistance.
CLEVELAND. Ha! What do you mean?
ROSE. Permit me to present you to my husband.
CLEVELAND. Your husband! What does this mean?
ROSE. I _did have_ the trump card, sir, and have taken the trick.
CLEVELAND. I am bewildered--I cannot understand--
ROSE. Can't you see? [_Imitating him._] "How would you like to make
twenty pounds? Ha, ha, ha! only as jest! a splendid jest! we'll have
such a run on the Captain! As I want pastime, and my prospects--"
CLEVELAND. The wench has betrayed me.
ROSE. You never spoke a word to Bridget. I was the only person you
saw.
CLEVELAND. You!
ROSE. Even I. Did I act it to the life?
CLEVELAND. Caught! Tricked! Fool! By--! Madam, this is a farce.
ROSE.
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