If nothing further was to come of it, at least they had seen a wonderful piece of work, which not to have been blest withal would have discredited their travel.

Only to Mrs Browning's mortification the spectacle wanted one detail indispensable to its completeness--the characteristic cigarette was absent: "Ah, but I didn't see her smoke." Life leaves us always something to desire.
Before the close of June 1852 they were again in London, and found comfortable rooms at 58 Welbeck Street.

When the turmoil of the first days had subsided, they visited "Kenyon the Magnificent"-- so named by Browning--at Wimbledon, at whose table Landor, abounding in life and passionate energy as in earlier days, was loud in his applause of the genius of Louis Napoleon.

Mazzini, his "intense eyes full of melancholy illusions," called at their lodgings in company with Mrs Carlyle, who seemed to Mrs Browning not only remarkable for her play of ideas but attaching through her feelings and her character.[50] Florence Nightingale was also a welcome visitor, and her visit was followed by a gift of flowers.

Invitations from country houses came in sheaves, and the thought of green fields is seductive in a London month of July; but to remain in London was to be faithful to Penini--and to the much-travelled Flush.