Chapter 61

           ScarlettwasinMariettawhenRhett’surgenttelegramcame.TherewasatrainleavingforAtlantaintenminutesandshecaughtit,carryingnobaggageexceptherreticuleandleavingWadeandEllaatthehotelwithPrissy.

           Atlantawasonlytwentymilesawaybutthetraincrawledinterminablythroughthewetearlyautumnafternoon,stoppingateverybypathforpassengers.PanicstrickenatRhett’smessage,madforspeed,Scarlettalmostscreamedateveryhalt.Downtheroadlumberedthetrainthroughforestsfaintly,tiredlygold,pastredhillsidesstillscarredwithserpentinebreastworks,pastoldbatteryemplacementsandweed-growncraters,downtheroadoverwhichJohnston’smenhadretreatedsobitterly,fightingeverystepoftheway.Eachstation,eachcrossroadtheconductorcalledwasthenameofabattle,thesiteofaskirmish.OncetheywouldhavestirredScarletttomemoriesofterrorbutnowshehadnothoughtforthem.

           Rhett’smessagehadbeen:

           "Mrs.Wilkesill.Comehomeimmediately."

           TwilighthadfallenwhenthetrainpulledintoAtlantaandalightmistingrainobscuredthetown.Thegasstreetlampsgloweddully,blobsofyellowinthefog.Rhettwaswaitingforheratthedepotwiththecarriage.Theverysightofhisfacefrightenedhermorethanhistelegram.Shehadneverseenitsoexpressionlessbefore.

           "Sheisn’t—"shecried.

           "No.She’sstillalive."Rhettassistedherintothecarriage."ToMrs.Wilkes’houseandasfastasyoucango,"heorderedthecoachman.