t doubt," she said.

Ruskin invited the Brownings to Denmark Hill to see his Turners, and they
found the pictures "divine." They liked Ruskin very much, finding him
"gentle, yet earnest."

During this London sojourn Mr. Browning's old friend, William Johnson Fox,
who had first encouraged the young poet by praising "not a little, which
praise comforted me not a little," the verses of his "Incondita"; who had
written a favorable review of "Pauline"; who had found a publisher for
"Paracelsus," and had introduced the poet to Macready, again appears, and
writes to his daughter that he has had "a charming hour" with the
Brownings, and that he is more fascinated than ever with Mrs. Browning.
"She talked lots of George Sand, and so beautifully, and she
silver-electroplated Louis Napoleon!" Mr. Fox adds:[6] "They came in to
their lodgings late at night, and R. B. says that in the morning twilight
he saw three pictures on the bedroom wall, and speculated as to whom they
might be. Light gradually showed the first to be Beatrice Cenci. 'Good,'
said he; 'in a poetic region.' More light; the second, Lord Byron! Who can
the third be? And what think you it was? Your (Fox's) sketch (engraved
chalk portrait) of me?' He made quite a poem and picture of the affair.
She seems much better; and the young Florentine was gracious."

In November the Brownings again left London for Florence, pausing a week
in Paris on the way, where they witnessed the picturesque pomp of the
reception of Louis Napoleon, the day being brilliant with sunshine, and
the hero of the hour producing an impression by riding entirely alone,
with at least ten paces between himself and the nearest of his escort,
till even Charlotte Cushman, sitting at the side of Mrs. Browning,
watching the spectacle, declared this to be "fine." The "young Florentine"
was in a state of ecstasy, which he expressed in mingled French and
Italian.

They journeyed to Florence by the Mont Cenis, stopping a week in Genoa,
where Mrs. Browning lay ill on her sofa; but the warmth of the Italian
sunshine soon restored her, and for two days before they left, she was
able to walk all about the beautiful old city. They visited together the
Andrea Doria palace, and enjoyed sauntering in a sunshine that was like
that of June days dropped into the heart of November. They were delighted
to hear the sound of their "dear Italian" again, and proceeded by
diligence to Florence, where they took possession of t