Suddenly they perceived that Francis was no longer with them.

After long searching they at last discovered him far behind them, still holding in his hand his sceptre of king of misrule, but plunged in so profound a revery that he seemed to be riveted to the ground and unconscious of all that was going on.
"What is the matter with you ?" they cried, bustling about him as if to awaken him.
"Don't you see that he is thinking of taking a wife ?" said one.
"Yes," answered Francis, arousing himself and looking at them with a smile which they did not recognize.

"I am thinking of taking a wife more beautiful, more rich, more pure than you could ever imagine."[12] This reply marks a decisive stage in his inner life.

By it he cut the last links which bound him to trivial pleasures.

It remains for us to see through what struggles he was to give himself to God, after having torn himself free from the world.