The Marquis looked down at Gilda, her cheeks wet with tears, her blue eyes too shy to meet his. Gilda could only look up at him helplessly, thinking that he must see love in her eyes and know that she was acutely conscious of his lips near to hers. Then the wonder of the Marquis's kiss made her feel as if the darkness and fear were all left behind, and he carried her into the sunshine and up into the very heart of the sun.