She thought she was going to faint.

All her suppressed, subconscious fear sprang into being, with anguish.
'Did I startle you ?' said Birkin, shaking hands with her.

'I thought you had heard me come in.' 'No,' she faltered, scarcely able to speak.

He laughed, saying he was sorry.

She wondered why it amused him.
'It is so dark,' he said.