With Pen it was a time of rejoicing, for his father had bought the boy a Sardinian pony of the colour of his curls, and he was to be seen galloping through the lanes "like Puck," to use Browning's comparison, on a dragon-fly's back.[77] The gipsy instinct, the desire of wandering, had greatly declined with both husband and wife since the earlier days in Italy.

Yet when they returned to Casa Guidi it was only for six weeks.

Even at the close of the visit to Siena Mrs Browning had recovered but a slender modicum of strength; she did not dare to enter the cathedral, for there were steps to climb.

At Florence she felt her old vitality return and her spirits rose.

But the climate of Rome was considered by Dr Gresonowsky more suitable for winter, and towards the close of November they took their departure, flying from the Florentine tramontana.