But the truth is, as Mrs Browning had observed, that his energy was not exhausted by literary work, and that it preyed upon himself if no means of escape were found.

If he was not at the piano, or shaping clay, or at the drawing-board, or walking fast and far, inward disturbances were set up which rent and frayed his mind.

The pleasures of society both fatigued and rested Browning; they certainly relieved him from the troubles of super-abundant force.
In 1864 _Dramatis Personae_ was published.

It might be described as virtually a third volume of _Men and Women_.

And yet a certain change of tone is discernible.