@@@@@"What the hell are you doing
@@@@@"What the hell are you doing here,
Scarlett?"
She wanted to hold out her arms to him, but the hot rage in his eyes
warned her not toScarlett made her eyes widen in innocent
misunderstandingHer voice was rushed and charmingly breathless
when
she spoke"Aunt Eulalie wrote and told me what you were saying,
Rhett
-about how you longed for me to be here with you, but I wouldn't
leave
the storeOh, darling, why didn't you tell me? I don't care two pins
for the store, not compared to you She watched his eyes warily"It
won't work, Scarlett
"What do you mean?"
"None of itNot the fervid explanation and not the innocent lack of
understandingYou know you could never lie to me and get away with
it It was true, and she did know it"I came
because I wanted to be with you Her quiet statement had a simple
dignityRhett looked at her straight back and proudly lifted head, and
his voice softened"My dear Scarlett," he said, "we might have been
friends in time, when the memories had softened to bittersweet
nostalgia

Perhaps we might arrive at that yet, if we are both charitable and
patient He strode impatiently across the room
"What do I have to do to get through to you? I don't want to hurt you,
but you force meI don't want you hereGo back to Atlanta,
Scarlett, leave me beI can speak no more
clearly than that The blood had drained from Scarlett's faceHer
green eyes glittered against her ghostly white skin"I can speak
clearly, too, RhettI am your wife and you are my husba