For she would have understood every feint, longe, parry, and seen at a glance how Father Beret set the pace and led the race at the beginning.

She would have understood; for Father Beret had taught her all she knew about the art of fencing.
Hamilton quickly felt, and with a sense of its strangeness, the priest's masterly command of his weapon.

The surprise called up all his caution and cleverness.

Before he could adjust himself to such an unexpected condition he came near being spitted outright by a pretty pass under his guard.

The narrow escape, while it put him on his best mettle, sent a wave of superstition through his brain.