Francis then taking for his text the two lines, Tanto e il bene ch' aspetto Ch'ogni pena m'e diletto,[7] preached so touching a sermon that several of those present forgot for a moment the tourney for which they had come.

One of them, Orlando dei Cattani, Count of Chiusi in Casentino, was so much moved that, drawing Francis aside, "Father," he said to him, "I desire much to converse with you about the salvation of my soul." "Very willingly," replied Francis; "but go for this morning, do honor to those friends who have invited you, eat with them, and after that we will converse as much as you please." So it was done.

The count came back and concluded the interview by saying, "I have in Tuscany a mountain especially favorable to contemplation; it is entirely isolated and would well suit anyone who desired to do penance far from the noises of the world; if it pleased you I would willingly give it to you and your brethren for the salvation of my soul." Francis accepted it joyfully, but as he was obliged to be at Portiuncula for the Whitsunday chapter he postponed the visit to the Verna[8] to a more favorable time.
It was perhaps in this circuit that he went to Imola; at least nothing forbids the supposition.

Always courteous, he had gone immediately on his arrival to present himself to the bishop, and ask of him authority to preach.

"I am not in need of anyone to aid me in my task," replied the bishop dryly.