It was not many days after her mother's arrival that Gwendolen would consent to remain at Genoa. Her desire to get away from that gem of the sea, helped to rally her strength and courage. For what place, though it were the flowery vale of Enna, may not the inward sense turn into a circle of punishment where the flowers are no better than a crop of flame-tongues burning the soles of our feet?

Gwendolen would not consent to remain at Genoa after her mother's arrival. Her desire to get away helped to rally her strength. For that gem of the sea had turned into a place of punishment.
