w 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 here。 But in Africa it seems massive and fluid with
terror……not fear of anything……just fear。 One breathes
it； like the smell of blood。 The blacks know it。 They worship
it； really； the darkness。 One almost likes it……the
fear……something sensual。〃
She thrilled again t