第84部分(第4/7 頁)

away　on　their　left；　there　were　strange　lights　and

sounds；　the　wind　rushed　against　the　trees；　and　under　the　bridge。

They　walked　close　together；　powerful　in　unison。　He　drew　her　very

close；　held　her　with　a　subtle；　stealthy；　powerful　passion；　as　if

they　had　a　secret　agreement　which　held　good　in　the　profound

darkness。　The　profound　darkness　was　their　universe。

〃It　is　like　it　was　before；〃　she　said。

Yet　it　was　not　in　the　least　as　it　was　before。　Nevertheless

his　heart　was　perfectly　in　accord　with　her。　They　thought　one

thought。

〃I　knew　I　should　e　back；〃　he　said　at　length。

She　quivered。

〃Did　you　always　love　me？〃　she　asked。

The　directness　of　the　question　overcame　him；　submerged　him

for　a　moment。　The　darkness　travelled　massively　along。

〃I　had　to　e　back　to　you；〃　he　said；　as　if　hypnotized。　〃You

were　always　at　the　back　of　everything。〃

She　was　silent　with　triumph；　like　fate。

〃I　loved　you；〃　she　said；　〃always。〃

The　dark　flame　leaped　up　in　him。　He　must　give　her　himself。　He

must　give　her　the　very　foundations　of　himself。　He　drew　her　very

close；　and　they　went　on　in　silence。

She　started　violently；　hearing　voices。　They　were　near　a　stile

across　the　dark　meadows。

〃It's　only　lovers；〃　he　said　to　her；　softly。

She　looked　to　see　the　dark　figures　against　the　fence；

wondering　that　the　darkness　was　inhabited。

〃Only　lovers　will　walk　here　to…night；〃　he　said。

Then　in　a　low；　vibrating　voice　he　told　her　about　Africa；　the

strange　darkness；　the　strange；　blood　fear。

〃I　am　not　afraid　of　the　darkness　in　England；〃　he　said。　〃It　is

soft；　and　natural　to　me；　it　is　my　medium；　especially　when　you

are