； to balance； he expected
every moment to see her walk into the sea； dressed as she was；
and be carried swimming out。
But she turned； she walked to him。
〃I want to go；〃 she cried again； in the high； hard voice；
like the scream of gulls。
〃Where？〃 he asked。
〃I don't know。〃
And she seized hold of his arm； held him fast； as if captive；
and walked him a little way by the edge of the dazzling； dazing
water。
Then there in the great flare of light； she clinched hold of
him； hard； as if suddenly she had the strength of destruction；
she fastened her arms round him and tightened him in her grip；
whilst her mouth sought his in a hard； rending； ever…increasing
kiss； till his body was powerless in her grip； his heart melted
in fear from the fierce； beaked； harpy's kiss。 The water washed
again over their feet； but she took no notice。 She seemed
unaware； she seemed to be pressing in her beaked mouth till she
had the heart of him。 Then； at last； she drew away and looked at
him……looked at him。 He knew what she wanted。 He took her by
the hand and led her across the foreshore； back to the
sandhills。 She went silently。 He felt as if the ordeal of proof
was upon him； for life or death。 He led her to a dark
hollow。
〃No； here；〃 she said； going out to the slope full under the
moonshine。 She lay motionless； with wide…open