pass (или recede) into the background

I had a letter from Hunt soon after his visit, and Audrey occasionally mentioned him in conversation; but we had little time except for each other, and Hunt had to pass into the background again. (C. P. Snow, ‘The Search’, ch. VI) — Я получил письмо от Ханта вскоре после его визита, и Одри иногда вспоминала о нем, но... у нас хватало времени только друг для друга, и Хант отошел на задний план.