Lady Carlisle fumbles blindly with the dramatic issues without essentially affecting them; Polyxena furthers them with loyal counsel, but is not their main executant.

Anael, in her fervid devotion, not only precipitates the catastrophe, but emancipates her lover from the thraldom of his lower nature.

In her Browning for the first time in drama represented the purifying power of Love.

The transformations of soul by soul were already beginning to occupy Browning's imagination.

The poet of _Cristina_ and _Saul_ was already foreshadowed.