Additional Manuscripts c

Incomplete. Announces that they have got summer at last 'and are even inclined to think it too hot' that day, and hopes that she has nice weather also. ClaiMS to be particularly glad they have got a fine day 'for the Lewes [George Eliot] have been with [them] since Thursday'. States that they are the guests of both [ ] Gurney and of the Sidgwicks. Remarks on the difference the sun makes to Cambridge, and describes the effect of a summer sunset. Claims to have been rather alarmed before at the prospect of having Eliot there, and states that '[o]ne feels beforehand as if she had such a terrible power of analysing ones [sic] character - that all ones [sic] defects would be more obvious to her than to oneself or anyone else.' States, however, that she is not in reality at all alarming, and 'has an almost exaggerated gentleness of voice and considerateness of manner, and succeeds very quickly in putting one at ones [sic] ease.' Remarks that she talks well, but not so brilliantly as one would expect, 'though she occasionally says good things.' Adds that Mr Lewes is an extremely good talker and 'can keep up a conversation for any length of time, and he tells stories well and has a great many of them, and mimics well, but he is not always quite in good taste.' States that it has been very pleasant having them there, and hopes that they will come again some day. Admits that he and NS feel a certain relief to have the house to theMSelves again after so many visitors. Announces that they intend going up to London on the following Thursday, and to stay there for three nights, as HS' engagement make that necessary. States that they may stay at home if he does not finish his book, and that from London they propose to go to Broadstairs if Isabel is still there. After this, she says, their plans become vague.