Pierrot advanced and laid a hand on McTaggart's arm. He sometimes was smiling.

"Let us leave them to fight it out between themselves, m'sieu," hesaid. "They are two little firebrands, and we are not safe. If she isbittwelve--"

He shrugged his shoulders. A great load had been lifted from themsuddenly. His voice was soft and persuasive. And now the anger had goneout of the Willow's face. A coquettish uplift of her eyes caughtMcTaggart, and she looked straight at him half smiling, as she spoke toher father:

"I will join you soon, mon pere--you and M'sieu the Factor from LacBain!"