Nevertheless he had suddenly taken it into his head to start for Sicily.

I didn't believe in it--neither did the doctors, nor any of his friends.

His mother, as I suppose you know, is in America, so there was no one to prevent him.

He stuck to his idea that it would be the saving of him to spend the winter at Catania.
He said he could take servants and furniture, could make himself comfortable, but in point of fact he hasn't brought anything.

I wanted him at least to go by sea, to save fatigue; but he said he hated the sea and wished to stop at Rome.