A bar of sunlight suddenly pervaded the room; red sunlight, lighting in its passing a tableau I shall never forget.

Gretchen stood at her full height, her arms held closely to her sides and her hands clenched.

On her face there was that half smile called consciousness of triumph.
Hillars was gazing at her with his soul swimming in his eyes.

And I--I had a wild desire to throw myself at her feet, then and there.

Over the hard-set visage of the innkeeper the bar of sunlight traveled; over the scowling countenance of the Prince, over the puzzled brow of the Count, and going, left a golden purple in its wake, which imperceptibly deepened.
The Prince was first to speak.