"As the year went on George Eliot began to see all her old friends
again. But her life was nevertheless a life of heart-loneliness.
Accustomed as she had been for so many years to _solitude a deux_,
the want of close companionship continued to be very bitterly felt.
She was in the habit of going with me very frequently to the
National Gallery and to other exhibitions of pictures. This
constant companionship engrossed me completely and was a new
interest to her. A bond of mutual dependence had been formed
between us. It was finally decided that our marriage should take
place as soon and as privately as possible."