Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

The door closed behind them. Ashley was no longer hers. He was Melanie’s.

The week had passed swiftly, like a dream. Now Ashley was going away, back to Virginia, back to the long marches in the sleet, to pain and hardship.

Scarlett sat on the divan in the parlor. She knew that perhaps she had the chance to talk to him. Why hadn’t she made the opportunity during this last week? But always, Melanie was at his side, always friends and neighbors and relatives were in the house.

Finally he came down the steps.

В«AshleyВ», she begged abruptly, В«may I go to the train with you?В»

«Please don’t. Father and the girls will be there».

«Then I won’t go», she said. «See, Ashley! I’ve a present for you».

It was a long yellow sash.

«Scarlett, it’s beautiful! Did you make it yourself? But I know you’ve cut up a dress or a shawl to make it».

«Oh, Ashley, I’ll do everything for you!»

«Will you?» he questioned. «Then, there’s something you can do for me, Scarlett».

В«What is it?В» she asked joyfully.

«Scarlett, will you look after Melanie for me? Take care of her. She’s so frail and she doesn’t realize it. And she’s so gentle and timid. Scarlett, will you promise?»

«Oh, yes!» she cried, for at that moment. «Ashley, Ashley! I can’t let you go away!»

В«Scarlett! Scarlett! You are so fine and strong and goodВ».

«Oh, Ashley», she whispered happily, thrilling at his words and his touch on her face. «Nobody else but you ever…»

«I think that perhaps I know you better than most people and that I can see beautiful things in you that others can’t notice».

Where were the magic three words? But they did not come.

She cried В«Oh!В» in a childish whisper and sat down with tears.

Ashley said В«Good-byeВ», very softly, and walked into the dark front hall.

В«Kiss meВ», she whispered. В«Kiss me good-byeВ».

В«No, Scarlett, noВ», he said in a low voice.

В«I love youВ», she said.

В«Good-byeВ», he said hoarsely.

Chapter XI

January and February of 1864 passed, full of cold rains and wild winds. After hard fighting, nearly all of Tennessee was now held by the Union troops.

Scarlett was happy those two months. Ashley loved her. She was sure of that now, and this conviction was very pleasant.