She paused and thought it might be difficult to get the hat without some explanation. She simplycould not tell Rhett she wanted it for Ashley. He would raise his

brows in that nasty way he alwayshad when she even mentioned Ashley’s name and, like as not, would refuse to give her the hat.
Well, she’d make up some pitiful story about a soldier in the hospital who needed it and Rhett neednever know the truth.
All that afternoon, she maneuvered to be alone with Ashley, even for a few minutes, but Melaniewas beside him constantly, and India and Honey, their pale lashless

eyes glowing, followed himabout the house. Even John Wilkes, visibly proud of his son, had no opportunity for quietconversation with him.
It was the same at supper where they about the war. The war! Whocared about the war? Scarlett didn’t think Ashley cared very much for

that subject either. He talkedat length, laughed frequently and dominated the conversation more completely than she had everseen him do before, but he seemed to say

very little. He told them jokes and funny stories aboutfriends, talked gaily about makeshifts, making light of hunger and long marches in the rain, anddescribed in

detail how General Lee had looked when he rode by on the retreat from Gettysburgand questioned: “Gentlemen, are you Georgia troops? Well, we can’t get along

without youGeorgians!”
It seemed to Scarlett that he was talking with her, he would sanction everything at oncehe answered. fervishly to keep them from asking questions he did notwant to answer. When she saw his eyes falter and drop before the

long, troubled gaze of his father,a faint worry and bewilderment rose in her as to what was hidden in Ashley’s heart. But it soonpassed, for there was no room in

her mind for anything except a radiant happiness and a drivingdesire to be alone with him.
That radiance lasted until everyone in the circle about the open fire began to yawn, and Mr.
Wilkes and the girls took their departure for the hotel. Then as Ashley and Melanie and Pittypatand Scarlett mounted the stairs, lighted by Uncle Peter, a chill fell

on her spirit. Until that momentwhen they stood in the upstairs hall, Ashley had been hers, only hers, even if she had not had aprivate word with him that whole

afternoon. But now, as she said good night she saw thatMelanie’s cheeks were suddenly crimson and she was trembling. Her eyes were on the carpet and,though she

seemed overcome with some frightening emotion, she seemed shyly happy.