The young people flocked out into the mysterious night。 There
was sound of laughter and voices； and a scent of coffee。 The
farm…buildings loomed dark in the background。 Figures； pale and
dark； flitted about； intermingling。 The red fire glinted on a
white or a silken skirt； the lanterns gleamed on the transient
heads of the wedding guests。
To Ursula it was wonderful。 She felt she was a new being。 The
darkness seemed to breathe like the sides of some great beast；
the haystacks loomed half…revealed； a crowd of them； a dark；
fecund lair just behind。 Waves of delirious darkness ran through
her soul。 She wanted to let go。 She wanted to reach and be
amongst the flashing stars； she wanted to race with her feet and
be beyond the confines of this earth。 She was mad to be gone。 It
was as if a hound were straining on the leash； ready to hurl
itself after a nameless quarry into the dark。 And she was the
quarry； and she was also the hound。 The darkness was passionate
and breathing with immense； unperceived heaving。 It was waiting
to receive her in her flight。 And how could she start……and
how could she let go？ She must leap from the known into the
unknown。 Her feet and hands beat like a madness； her breast
strained as if in bonds。
The music began； and the bonds began to slip。 Tom Brangwen
was dancing with the bride； quick and fluid and