against the wall, when the door was opened he was miraculously let
into the wall, so that he was not seen by those who were looking for
him.

When his father was gone, he retired secretly into a cavern, which was
known only to one servant, from whom he received what was necessary
for his immediate sustenance, and where he occupied himself in continual
prayer, shedding abundance of tears, in order that he might be delivered
from those who pursued him, and be able to accomplish the work which
God had inspired him to undertake.

After having passed a month in this place, he considered that it was
in God alone that he ought to hope, without putting any confidence in
his own exertions, and this thought filled him with interior joy, and
raised his depressed spirits. Reproaching himself, therefore, with his
pusillanimity, he left his cavern and went straight to the town, as
a soldier, who, feeling ashamed of having fled, returns intrepidly to
the charge. Of what is not he capable, who is fully persuaded that he
can do nothing of himself towards his salvation, but that he can do
all through God who imparts strength to him? On these two principles
the saints have undertaken, and carried into execution, the greatest
things.

The inhabitants of Assisi, who saw his face all pale and wan, and who
remarked how changed were his conversation and opinions, thought that
his mind was disturbed. He was called a madman, they threw mud and
stones at him, and followed him, hooting and calling after him. But,
without paying attention to these insults, and being on the contrary
well pleased to bear these marks of the holy folly of the cross, the
servant of God continued his way as if he had been deaf and insensible.