presence。 He was a great rider； so there was about him some of a
horseman's sureness and habitual definiteness of decision； also
some of the horseman's animal darkness。 Yet his soul was only
the more wavering； vague。 He seemed made up of a set of habitual
actions and decisions。 The vulnerable； variable quick of the man
was inaccessible。 She knew nothing of it。 She could only feel
the dark； heavy fixity of his animal desire。
This dumb desire on his part had brought him to her？ She was
puzzled； hurt by some hopeless fixity in him； that terrified her
with a cold feeling of despair。 What did he want？ His desires
were so underground。 Why did he not admit himself？ What did he
want？ He wanted something that should be nameless。 She shrank in
fear。
Yet she flashed with excitement。 In his dark； subterranean
male soul； he was kneeling before her； darkly exposing himself。
She quivered； the dark flame ran over her。 He was waiting at her
feet。 He was helpless； at her mercy。 She could take or reject。
If she rejected him； something would die in him。 For him it was
life or death。 And yet； all must be kept so dark； the
consciousness must admit nothing。
〃How long；〃 she said； 〃are you staying in England？〃
〃I am not sure……but not later than July； I believe。〃
Then they were both silent。 He was here； in England； for six
months。 They had