I am afflicted by hardness of hearing, which shuts me out from many of the pleasures of society.

And George Eliot had that excellency in woman, a low voice.

Yet, partly no doubt by dint of an exertion which her kindness prompted, but in great measure from the perfection of her dainty articulation, I was able to hear her more perfectly than I generally hear anybody.

One evening Mr.and Mrs.Du Maurier joined us.

The Lewes's had a great regard for Mr.Du Maurier, and spoke to us in a most feeling way of the danger which had then recently threatened the eyesight of that admirable artist.