ith the count, that
he made him master and steward of all that he had; who always
continued in virtuous and religious living, and in a short time, by
his industry and prudence, increased his master's revenue threefold,
maintaining always a great and honourable court. And being at war
with the count of Toulouse on the borders of their lands (and the
count of Toulouse was the greatest count in the world, and under him
he had fourteen counts), by the courtesy of Count Raymond, and by the
wisdom of the good Romeo, and by the treasure which he had gathered,
he had so many barons and knights that he was victorious in the war,
and that with honour. Four daughters had the count, and no male child.
By prudence and care the good Romeo first married the eldest for him
to the good King Louis of France by giving money with her, saying to
the count, "Leave it to me, and do not grudge the cost, for if thou
marryest the first well, thou wilt marry all the others the better for
the sake of her kinship, and at less cost." And so it came to pass;
for straightway the king of England, to be of kin to the king of
France, took the second with little money; afterwards his carnal
brother, being the king elect of the Romans, after the same manner
took the third; the fourth being still to marry, the good Romeo said,
"For this one I desire that thou should'st have a brave man for thy
son, who may be thine heir,"--and so he did. Finding Charles, count of
Anjou, brother of King Louis of France, he said, "Give her to him, for
he is like to be the best man in the world," prophesying of him; and
this was done. And it came to pass afterwards, through envy, which
destroys all good, that the barons of Provence accused the good Romeo
that he had managed the count's treasure ill, and they called upon him
to give an account; the worthy Romeo said, "Count, I have served thee
long while, and raised thy estate from small to great, and for this,
through the false counsel of thy people, thou art little grateful: I
came to thy court a poor pilgrim, and I have lived virtuously here;
give me back my mule, my staff, and my scrip, as I came here, and I
renounce thy service." The count would not that he should depart; but
for nought that he could do would he remain; and as he came, so he
departed, and no one knew whence he came or whither he went. But many
held that he was a sainted soul.

[Sidenote: 1264 A.D.]

Sec. 91.--_How in these times there appeared a great