in the
Cardinals palace. He prayed and meditated, he went out to preach and
to beg, and he even brought back his alms into the palace! One day
there were a great many people at the table, and Francis was eating
the scraps he had begged. Some of the guests began to joke him about
it, but Francis maintained that his food was angels' bread, and if
they liked he would share it with them. All--prelates, knights and
nobles--accepted willingly, some ate their portion, others put it by
to keep as a memento. But Ugolino was a little hurt. He took Francis
aside and said--

[Sidenote: _A Quarrel._]

"Ah, my brother, wherefore all this begging; you hurt me. Do you not
know that my house is yours and your brethren's?"

"My lord," answered Francis, "I have not affronted you; I think I have
honored you by imitating in your house our Lord Jesus Christ who
taught us to love poverty. For, indeed, I mean only to follow the
footsteps of my Master!"

The Cardinal bowed his head.

"Do, my brother, what seems good to you," he said, "the Lord is with
you!"

This visit of Francis' to Florence resulted in the establishment of a
large convent on the borders of Tuscany and Umbria. This is how it
came about. The powerful family of the lords of Baschi were divided.
The three sons were in open rebellion on account of questions of
personal interest, and they were doing their best to drag into this
quarrel the numerous friends of their clients and vassals. It was
plain to be seen that bloodshed would be the outcome. Francis was very
much grieved when he heard of this dissension, and felt that he must
do his best to stop it. Accordingly, he visited the three brothers,
Ugolino, Buonconte and Ranicu, in turn, and entreated them in the name
of Christ to desist. He succeeded in accomplishing his end, they laid
down their arms, amicably settled the vexed question, and a charter of
reconciliation was drawn up. Then, wishing to show their gratitude to
Francis, they presented him with a beautiful hill, and, building a
monastery on it, begged of him to send friars to establish a work
there.

A little later, the Cardinal presided over what was known as the
"Chapter of Mats," so called because the brothers lived under little
tents made of matting. He was very much surprised at all he saw, and
said he never expected to find a well-disciplined army! This was a
very important Chapter, and many new Provinces were formed. It was
conducted very much like the