She appealed to his manliness, his kindness, his generosity,--all with no success.
"Don't talk rubbish," he said, shortly; "you know as well as I do, it won't hurt the child.

In fact, I came to get her to-day, myself, because I knew her nurse was out,--and I saw you go off,--and later, all the rest of the bunch.

If _you_ hadn't come back,--confound you! I'd have had that child over there by this time!" Azalea gasped.

So her premonition had been a true one after all! Had she not returned, Merritt would have easily overcome Janet and taken the baby off with him.

She knew they would not harm Fleurette,--indeed, would be most careful of her.