Then, as he reeled backwards, Peter whirled his sword on high, and, shouting "_Margaret!_" struck downwards with all his strength.

It fell as lightning falls, swift, keen, dazzling the eyes of all who watched.

Morella raised his arm to break the blow.

In vain! The weapon that he held was shattered, the casque beneath was cloven, and, throwing his arms wide, he fell heavily to the ground and lay there moving feebly.
For an instant there was silence, and in it a shrill woman's voice that cried: "The Falcon has stooped.

The English hawk _has stooped!_" Then there arose a tumult of shouting.