Neither pleasures nor work could long hold him; he spent a portion of his days in long country rambles, often accompanied by a friend most different from those whom until now we have seen about him.

The name of this friend is not known, but from certain indications one is inclined to believe that he was Bombarone da Beviglia, the future Brother Elias.[10] Francis now went back to his reflections at the time of his recovery, but with less of bitterness.

His own heart and his friend agreed in saying to him that it is possible no longer to trust either in pleasure or in glory and yet to find worthy causes to which to consecrate one's life.

It is at this moment that religious thought seems to have awaked in him.

From the moment that he saw this new way of life his desire to run in it had all the fiery impetuosity which he put into all his actions.