Chapter 3

           EllenO’Harawasthirty-twoyearsold,and,accordingtothestandardsofherday,shewasamiddle-agedwoman,onewhohadbornesixchildrenandburiedthree.Shewasatallwoman,standingaheadhigherthanherfierylittlehusband,butshemovedwithsuchquietgraceinherswayinghoopsthattheheightattractednoattentiontoitself.Herneck,risingfromtheblacktaffetasheathofherbasque,wascreamy-skinned,roundedandslender,anditseemedalwaystiltedslightlybackwardbytheweightofherluxurianthairinitsnetatthebackofherhead.FromherFrenchmother,whoseparentshadfledHaitiintheRevolutionof1791,hadcomeherslantingdarkeyes,shadowedbyinkylashes,andherblackhair;andfromherfather,asoldierofNapoleon,shehadherlongstraightnoseandhersquare-cutjawthatwassoftenedbythegentlecurvingofhercheeks.ButonlyfromlifecouldEllen’sfacehaveacquireditslookofpridethathadnohaughtiness,itsgraciousness,itsmelancholyanditsutterlackofhumor.

           Shewouldhavebeenastrikinglybeautifulwomanhadtherebeenanyglowinhereyes,anyresponsivewarmthinhersmileoranyspontaneityinhervoicethatfellwithgentlemelodyontheearsofherfamilyandherservants.ShespokeinthesoftslurringvoiceofthecoastalGeorgian,liquidofvowels,kindtoconsonantsandwiththebaresttraceofFrenchaccent.ItwasavoiceneverraisedincommandtoaservantorreprooftoachildbutavoicethatwasobeyedinstantlyatTara,whereherhusband’sblusteringandroaringwerequietlydisregarded.

           AsfarbackasScarlettcouldremember,hermotherhadalwaysbeenthesame,hervoicesoftandsweetwhetherinpraisingorinreproving,hermannerefficientandunruffleddespitethedailyemergenciesofGerald’sturbulenthousehold,herspiritalwayscalmandherbackunbowed,eveninthedeathsofherthreebabysons.