Chapter LXVI. How a bishop who came upon him in prayer was deprived of speech

100. While Francis was praying one day at the "place" of Portiuncula the Bishop of Assisi happened to come to pay him a friendly visit, as he was in the habit of doing. As soon as he entered the "place" he went without ceremony to the Saint's ceil, not having been summoned, knocked at the door and was about to go in. And behold, as he was putting his head inside, and perceived the Saint praying, immediately a trembling seized him, his limbs stiffened and he even became speechless. Suddenly by the will of God he was forcibly driven out and led backward for some distance. I believe either that the bishop was unworthy to behold that secret thing or else that the Saint was worthy of retaining still longer that which he had. The bishop, abashed, returned to the brethren, and on opening his mouth to confess his fault he recovered his speech.