Whatever had been her weariness of her successes before, it was gone
now, and she shot splendidly. Never had such shooting been known in
the annals of the club, and scarcely a word passed as the two went
pacing between the two little targets, Harold with his calm, easy
movement, business-like but without effort, and Hippolyta with
excitement beginning to tell on her. Each time she passed us we saw
her step more impetuous, the glow on her cheeks deeper, and at last
that her eyes were full of tears; and after that, one arrow went into
the outer white, and the last even into the green; while Harry's
final shot was into that one great confluent hole that the centre of
the target had become.
"Heard ye the arrow hurtle through the sky?
Heard ye the dragon monster's deathful cry?"
whispered Viola. "Mamma won't let me cheer, and I must have it out
somehow."
And as I sprang up and hurried to Harold, she came with me, taking
care to cast no look behind, for fear of detaining glances; and she
put out both hands to shake his, as he stood with the smile lighting
up his face as he saw the pleasure he had given; though Eustace never
came forward, unable to rejoice where he had been so palpably and
publicly excelled.
Hippolyta behaved well. She came up holding out her hand, and
saying, "Well, Mr. Alison, if one is to fall, it is a pleasure to
have so mighty a victor.
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