"I come unarmed, it is true, for my race have known no need of arms for ages, but I fling myself on your chivalry. Will you not make me up an equipment among you?" It was a curious sight for the ladies on the balcony, this sight of the white shepherd standing thus alone and fearless in the midst of a ring of knights, while around them the capacity of the court-yard was filled by the curious of all kinds, free companions, pages, men-at-arms, all keenly interested in the audacious new-comer. The lord-marshal glanced with a smile round the circle of faces. "Most magical modesty," he said, "that invites us to arm him against ourselves." All who heard him laughed as at an exceeding good joke. It seemed prettily preposterous that this stripling from a Greek wood should come to Duke Baldwin's tournament and demand, not merely the privilege of tilting against glorious shields, but also an outfit of arms and armor. Argathona understood the laughter, and answered, swiftly: "Nay, I ask nothing for nothing. I know it is the world's way to bargain in this iron age, and that none will give save for value. But I am wise in the earliest wisdom--I can tell you tales, sing you songs, read the secrets of the stars, the signs in your hands. I will tell any man here his fortune if he will pay for fate with a part of my armament." A buzz of interest hummed among her hearers, and Jaufre de Brabant sprang eagerly forward. "Can you do this?" he asked. "What are the signs in my palms?" and he thrust his strong hands out to the shepherd. The dryad turned to the lord-marshal. "Lord," she said, "I pray you to beg of these gentlemen that they give me a little space. A man's fortune is for his own ears." "The lad is right," said Ernault. "Room, friends, room," and with a sweep of his marshal's wand he widened the circle about him to the evident discomfort of the crowd outside, who were thus forced rudely against the wall or uncomfortably out of ear-shot and eye-witness. Argathona, thus left in a sense alone with Jaufre, though many eyes were curiously fixed upon the pair, took the hands of the knight in hers and peered into his palms. "Glory," she began, "glory, glory; a lifetime shining like a star." "I will give you a sword for this glory," he said, and paused; then he asked again, quickly, "And what of my death-time?" Argathona looked no more into his hands; she looked steadfastly into his wild eyes. "I think you will sink like a star in the peace of old age." The face of Jaufre clouded. "I would have picked a fiercer finish," he sighed; "but you shall have the sword." "I thank your valiancy," Argathona said; and Jaufre, turning from her, rejoined his companions. Before Count Ernault could signify which knight should next have speech with the shepherd, Sir Guy de Hainault had sprung from the marshal's side and approached her. "Read the page of my palm," he cried, pushing out his fine, white hands impatiently.