The complex character of the temperature dependence of the 'H N M R chemical shifts of indenyl-lithium and -sodium in dimethoxyethane is explained. It is shown that the cation causes a polarisation of the C-H bonds and thus inflnenees the proton shifts of the anion, both directly by i t s electric field along the bonds (the direct effect) and induectly via its effect on tEe Ir-electron distribution (the indirect effect). The indirect effect is inferred from uC NMR chemical shift data. By subtracting the temperature dependent contribution of the indirect effect from the experimental 'H data, the direct effect is visualised. It appears that information on ion pairs obtained by 'H and "C NMR on the one hand and optical spectroscopy on the other hand is complementary. Apparently, aggregation of ion pairs does not seriously affect the chemical shift data.