The poor people felt that their friend also suffered; they did not precisely know with what, but they forgot their own sorrows in pitying their benefactor.

Suffering is the true cement of love.

For men to love each other truly, they must have shed tears together.
As yet no influence strictly ecclesiastic had been felt by Francis.
Doubtless there was in his heart that leaven of Christian faith which enters one's being without his being aware; but the interior transformation which was going on in him was as yet the fruit of his own intuition.

This period was drawing to a close.

His thought was soon to find expression, and by that very act to receive the stamp of external circumstances.