Унесенные ветром

           ForaconfusedmomentshetriedtorememberCharles’face—howhehadlookedwhenheslippeditonherfinger.Butthememorywasblurred,blurredbythesuddenfeelingofirritationthatmemoryofhimalwaysbroughttoher.Charles—hewasthereasonwhylifewasoverforher,whyshewasanoldwoman.

           Withasuddenwrenchsheseizedtheringbutitstuck.TheZouavewasmovingtowardMelanie.

           "Wait!"criedScarlett."Ihavesomethingforyou!"Theringcameoffand,asshestartedtothrowitintothebasket,heapedupwithchains,watches,rings,pinsandbracelets,shecaughtRhettButler’seye.Hislipsweretwistedinaslightsmile.Defiantly,shetossedtheringontothetopofthepile.

           "Oh,mydarling!"whisperedMolly,clutchingherarm,hereyesblazingwithloveandpride."Youbrave,bravegirl!Wait—please,wait,LieutenantPicard!Ihavesomethingforyou,too!"

           Shewastuggingatherownweddingring,theringScarlettknewhadneveronceleftthatfingersinceAshleyputitthere.Scarlettknew,asnoonedid,howmuchitmeanttoher.Itcameoffwithdifficultyandforabriefinstantwasclutchedtightlyinthesmallpalm.Thenitwaslaidgentlyonthepileofjewelry.ThetwogirlsstoodlookingaftertheZouavewhowasmovingtowardthegroupofelderlyladiesinthecorner,Scarlettdefiant,Melaniewithalookmorepitifulthantears.Andneitherexpressionwaslostonthemanwhostoodbesidethem.

           "Ifyouhadn’tbeenbraveenoughtodoit,Iwouldneverhavebeeneither,"saidMelly,puttingherarmaboutScarlett’swaistandgivingheragentlesqueeze.ForamomentScarlettwantedtoshakeheroffandcry"NameofGod!"atthetopofherlungs,asGeralddidwhenhewasirritated,butshecaughtRhettButler’seyeandmanagedaverysoursmile.