Then they walked together, others of the company following in twos and threes at a discreet distance, in that _allee_ which still retains its ancient name, Les Alyscamps (Champs Elysees--Elysian Fields), where 'neath the taller trees the oleanders shot in long curves bursting in pink fire, like rockets, above their heads. Here, seated upon one of those carven tombs which now make benches for lovers in that enchanting spot, she told him old legends of St. Trophime, how he and his fellows sculptured about the portal of his abbey descend from their niches and keep here the eve of Toussaint. "You will see them," she said, "when you go to hang your shield in the cloister, where it must be displayed, if so be you fight in this foolish joust. Truly sorry and shamed am I that so many gallant knights must run the risk of wounds and death for little me." "'Tis a small venture for so great a prize," said Richard. "Then, as you fight, let it be your best, for--" but here she paused and ended her sentence differently from her first intention--"for I would not have you hurt," and her face grew yet rosier. Richard cursed his fate that he might not fight his best, but his cursing was in his heart, what he said was: "The fortunes of such a joust are very fickle and it must needs happen that many a good knight will fight his doughtiest and yet not succeed. If I am among that number, sweet lady, I pray you set not my mischance down to lack of will, for in no tournament that I have ever entered had I so great desire to win." She looked no higher than the Plantagenet leopards gold-embroidered upon the breast of his doublet. "Since, to spare the knights the mortification of public discomfiture, my father hath decreed that they fight incognito (their true names being known only to the _roi d'armes_ who passes upon their qualifications), will you not tell me the device which you have chosen?" "Choose my device for me," he said, "and I will cause it to be blazoned on my shield and embroidered on my pennant." "It has been foretold," she answered pensively, "that I shall wed the King of Cups. Therefore, if you honestly desire to win choose that emblem." "My cup runneth over," he murmured--and their lips met. Ere they parted there was heard a sound of laughter, as it were the crackling of light flame, for there was no mirth in the sound, and Aldobrandino stood before them regarding the pair with a derisive leer. "There is an old proverb which it were well you should both remember," he said. "If I mistake not it runneth in this wise, 'There is many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.' It were meet that the cup you blazon should be a spilling one." "Better spilling than swilling," cried Richard, his eyes aflame, and Sancie affrighted ran away.