Now she walked forward to see where the bullet had gone and noted with satisfaction that she had hit the bull’s eye. She took three more shots, each time being equally successful and then with a smile on her lips she walked back through the garden towards the house. She had always been determined to shoot as well as her father who was an outstanding shot, but he had said firmly that it was quite unnecessary because she was a girl. If she had been a boy, it would have been the first skill he insisted upon. “As I intend to travel all over the world, Papa,” Lady Elva told him, “I think it is essential for me to be able to protect myself.” Her father had laughed. “I shall make quite certain, if you do travel, my dearest, that you will have someone responsible to protect you who can cope with pirates, robbers or any other scoundrel you may encounter.”
