Threats, bad usage, everything was brought to bear to change the prisoner's resolves, but all in vain.

At last, wearied out and desperate, he left him in peace, though not without having firmly bound him.[12] A few days after he was obliged to be absent for a short time.

Pica, his wife, understood only too well his grievances against Francis, but feeling that violence would be of no avail she resolved to try gentleness.

It was all in vain.

Then, not being able longer to see him thus tortured, she set him at liberty.
He returned straight to St.Damian.[13] Bernardone, on his return, went so far as to strike Pica in punishment for her weakness.