Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром

Yes, that’s why he’s never spoken! He thinks his love is hopeless. And that’s why he’s looked so -

“He’s been broken hearted because he thinks I’m in love with Brent or Stuart or Cade. And probably he thinks that if he can’t have me, he might as well please his family and marry Melanie. But if he knew I did love him —”

Her spirits went from deepest depression to excited happiness. This was the answer to Ashley’s strange conduct. He didn’t know! If he knew she loved him, he would hasten to her side.

“Oh! What a fool I’ve been not to think of this till now! I must think of some way to let him know. He wouldn’t marry her if he knew I loved him! How could he?”

Even now, it wasn’t too late! And Ashley’s engagement had not even been announced yet! Yes, there was plenty of time!

If no love lay between Ashley and Melanie but only a promise given long ago, then why wasn’t it possible for him to break that promise and marry her? Surely he would do it, if he knew that she, Scarlett, loved him.

When the last “Amen” sounded, they all rose.

Scarlett entered her room, set the candle on the chest of drawers and chose the dancing dress that needed stitching. Throwing it across her arm, she crossed the hall quietly. The door of her parents’ bedroom was slightly ajar and, before she could knock, Ellen’s voice came to her ears.

“Mr. O’Hara, you must dismiss Jonas Wilkerson.

Gerald exploded. “And where will I be getting another overseer who wouldn’t be cheating me?”

“He must be dismissed, immediately, tomorrow morning. Big Sam is a good foreman and he can take over the duties until you can hire another overseer.”

“Ah, ha!” came Gerald’s voice. “So, I understand! Then the worthy Jonas sired the —”

“He must be dismissed.”

“So, he is the father of Emmie Slattery’s baby,” thought Scarlett.

Then, after a pause, she knocked on the door and handed the dress to her mother.

By the time Scarlett had undressed and blown out the candle, her plan for tomorrow had worked itself out in every detail. It was a simple plan. First, she would be “prideful,” as Gerald had commanded. From the moment she arrived at Twelve Oaks, she would be her gayest self.