These old annalists scarcely pause to censure this spirit of crime, this hideous quickness to black deeds.  They view it as a regrettable failing, perhaps, and glowingly point to the doer’s lavish religiousness in return.  Absolution covers a multitude of sins.  To a generous son of the Church much might be forgiven.  “Among the solemnities which the Count de Foix observes on high festivals,” records his visitor, “he most magnificently keeps the feast of St. Nicholas, as I learnt from a squire of his household the third day after my arrival at Orthes.  He holds this feast more splendidly than that of Easter, and has a most magnificent court, as I myself noticed, being present on that day.  The whole clergy of the town of Orthes, with all its inhabitants, walk in procession to seek the count at the castle, who on foot returns with them to the church of St. Nicholas, where is sung the psalm Benedictus Dominus, Deus meus, qui docet manus meas ad proelium et digitos meos ad bellum, from the Psalter of David, which, when finished, recommences, as is done in the chapels of the pope or king of France on Christmas or Easter Days; for there were plenty of choristers.  The Bishop of Pamiers sang the mass for the day; and I there heard organs play as melodiously as I have ever heard in any place.  To speak briefly and truly, the Count de Foix was perfect in person and in mind; and no contemporary prince could be compared with him for sense, honor or liberality.”

VI.

As to liberality, these robber barons were able to afford it.  Mention is incidentally made in conversation of Count Gaston’s store of florins in his Castle of Moncade at Orthez.  Froissart instantly pricks up his ears: 

“‘Sir,’ said I to the knight, ‘has he a great quantity of them?’

“‘By my faith,’ replied he, ’the Count de Foix has at this moment a hundred thousand, thirty times told; and there is not a year but he gives away sixty thousand; for a more liberal lord in making presents does not exist.’”

We can see the good Sir John’s eyes glistening: 

“‘Ha, ha, holy Mary!’ cried I, ’to what purpose does he keep so large a sum?  Where does it come from?  Are his revenues so great to supply him with it?  To whom does he make these gifts?  I should like to know this if you please.’

“He answered:  ’To strangers, to knights and squires who travel through his country, to heralds, minstrels, to all who converse with him; none leave him without a present, for he would be angered should any one refuse it.’”

With such sums at disposal, Gaston might well indulge his passion for the chase and keep sixteen hundred hounds.  His hospitality too was unbounded.  When the Duke of Bourbon made a three-days’ visit to Orthez, he was “magnificently entertained with dinners and suppers.  The Count de Foix showed him good part of his state, which would recommend him to such a person as the Duke of Bourbon.  On the