Sarianna! Your ever affectionate sister.
* * * * * The programme of the previous year was repeated in 1860.

Returning from Rome to Florence at the beginning of June, the Brownings in July went to Siena to avoid the extreme heat of the summer at Florence, staying as before at the Villa Alberti.

Their visit to Siena was, however, rather shorter than the previous one, lasting only till September.
There is no doubt that Mrs.Browning, during all this time, was losing ground in point of health; and she now received another severe blow in the news of the serious illness of her sister Henrietta (Mrs.Surtees Cook).

The anxiety lasted for several months, and ended with the death of Mrs.Cook in the following winter.
* * * * * _To Mrs.Martin_ Villa Alberti, Siena: August 21, [1860].
I thank you, my dearest friend, from my heart for your letter, and the ray of sunshine it brought with it.

Do you know I was childish enough to kiss it as if it knew what it did.