飘-第197章

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o　the　back　of　her　mind　with　her　old　defense　against　the　world：　“I　won’t　think　of　it　now。　I　can’t　stand　it　if　I　do。　I’ll　think　of　it　tomorrow　at　Tara。　Tomorrow’s　another　day。”　It　seemed　that　if　she　could　only　get　back　to　the　stillness　and　the　green　cotton　fields　of　home；　all　her　troubles　would　fall　away　and　she　would　somehow　be　able　to　mold　her　shattered　thoughts　into　something　she　could　live　by。
　Rhett　watched　the　train　until　it　was　out　of　sight　and　on　his　face　there　was　a　look　of　speculative　bitterness　that　was　not　pleasant。　He　sighed；　dismissed　the　carriage　and　mounting　his　horse；　rode　down　Ivy　Street　toward　Melanie’s　house。
　It　was　a　warm　morning　and　Melanie　sat　on　the　vine…shaded　porch；　her　mending　basket　piled　high　with　socks。　Confusion　and　dismay　filled　her　when　she　saw　Rhett　alight　from　his　horse　and　toss　the　reins　over　the　arm　of　the　cast…iron　negro　boy　who　stood　at　the　sidewalk。　She　had　not　seen　him　alone　since　that　too　dreadful　day　when　Scarlett　had　been　so　ill　and　he　had　been　so—well—so　drunk。　Melanie　hated　even　to　think　the　word。　She　had　spoken　to　him　only　casually　during　Scarlett’s　convalescence　and；　on　those　occasions；　she　had　found　it　difficult　to　meet　his　eyes。　However；　he　had　been　his　usual　bland　self　at　those　times；　and　never　by　look　or　word　showed　that　such　a　scene　had　taken　place　between　them。　Ashley　had　told　her　once　that　men　frequently　did　not　remember　things　said　and　done　in　drink　and　Melanie　prayed　heartily　that　Captain　Butler’s　memory　had　failed　him　on　that　occasion。　She　felt　she　would　rather　die　than　learn　that　he　remembered　his　outpourings。　Timidity　and　embarrassment　swept　over　her　and　waves　of　color　mounted　her　cheeks　as　he　came　up　the　walk。　But　perhaps　he　had　only　come　to　ask　if　Beau　could　spend　the　day　with　Bonnie。　Surely　he　wouldn’t　have　the　bad　taste　to　come　and　thank　her　for　what　she　had　done　that　day！
　She　rose　to　meet　him；　noting　with　surprise；　as　always；　how　lightly　he　walked　for　a　big　man。
　“Scarlett　has　gone？”
　“Yes。　Tara　will　do　her　good；”　he　said　smiling。　“Sometimes　I　think　she’s　like　the　giant　Antaeus　who　became　stronger　each　time　he　touched　Mother　Earth。　It　doesn’t　do　for　Scarlett　to　stay　away　too　long　from　the　patch　of　red　mud　she　loves。　The　sight　of　cotton　growing　will　do　her　more　good　than　all　Dr。　Meade’s　tonics。”
　“Won’t　you　sit　down？”　said　Melanie；　her　hands　fluttering。　He　was　so　very　large　and　male；　and　excessively　male　creatures　always　discomposed　her。　They　seem　to　radiate　a　force　and　vitality　that　made　her　feel　smaller　and　weaker　even　than　she　was。　He　looked　so　swarthy　and　formidable　and　the　heavy　muscles　in　his　shoulders　swelled　against　his　white　linen　coat　in　a　way　that　frightened　her。　It　seemed　impossible　that　she　had　seen　all　this　strength　and　insolence　brought　low。　And　she　had　held　that　black　head　in　her　lap！
　“Oh；　dear！”　she　thought　in　distress　and　blushed　again。
　“Miss　Melly；”　he　said　gently；　“does　my　presence　annoy　you？　Would　you　rather　I　went　away？　Pray　be　frank。”
　“Oh！”　she　thought。　“He　does　remember！　And　he　knows　how　upset　I　am！”
　She　looked　up　at　him；　imploringly；　and　suddenly　her　embarrassment　and　confusion　faded。　His　eyes　were　so　quiet；　so　kind；　so　understanding　that　she　wondered　how　she　could　ever　have　been　silly　enough　to　be　flurried。　His　face　looked　tired　and；　she　thought　with　surprise；　more　than　a　little　sad。　How　could　she　have　even　thought　he’d　be　ill　bred　enough　to　bring　up　subjects　both　would　rather　forget？
　“Poor　thing；　he’s　been　so　worried　about　Scarlett；”　she　thought；　and　managing　a　smile；　she　said：　“Do　sit　down；　Captain　Butler。”
　He　sat　down　heavily　and　watched　her　as　she　picked　up　her　darning。
　“Miss　Melly；　I’ve　come　to　ask　a　very　great　favor　of　you　and；”　he　smiled　and　his　mouth　twisted　down；　“to　enlist　your　aid　in　a　deception　from　which　I　know　you　will　shrink。”
　“A—deception？”
　“Yes。　Really；　I’ve　come　to　talk　business　to　you。”
　“Oh；　dear。　Then　it’s　Mr。　Wilkes　you’d　better　see。　I’m　such　a　goose　about　business。　I’m　not　smart　like　Scarlett。”
　“I’m　afraid　Scarlett　is　too　smart　for　her　own　good；”　he　said；　“and　that　is　exactly　what　I　want　to　talk　to　you　about。　You　know　how—ill　she’s　been。　When　she　gets　back　from　Tara　she　will　start　again　hammer　and　tongs　with　the　store　and　those　mills　which　I　wish　devoutly　would　explode　some　night。　I　fear　for　her　health；　Miss　Melly。”
　“Yes；　she　does　far　too　much。　You　must　make　her　stop　and　take　care　of　herself。”
　He　laughed。
　“You　know　how　headstrong　she　is。　I　never　even　try　to　argue　with　her。　She’s　just　like　a　willful　child。　She　won’t　let　me　help　her—she　won’t　let　anyone　help　her。　I’ve　tried　to　get　her　to　sell　her　share　in　the　mills　but　she　won’t。　And　now；　Miss　Melly；　I　come　to　the　business　matter。　I　know　Scarlett　would　sell　the　remainder　of　her　interest　in　the　mills　to　Mr。　Wilkes　but　to　no　one　else；　and　I　want　Mr。　Wilkes　to　buy　her　out。”
　“Oh；　dear　me！　That　would　be　nice　but—”　Melanie　stopped　and　bit　her　lip。　She　could　not　mention　money　matters　to　an　outsider。　Somehow；　despite　what　he　made　from　the　mill；　she　and　Ashley　never　seemed　to　have　enough　money。　It　worried　her　that　they　saved　so　little。　She　did　not　know　where　the　money　went。　Ashley　gave　her　enough　to　run　the　house　on；　but　when　it　came　to　extra　expenses　they　were　often　pinched。　Of　course；　her　doctors　bills　were　so　much；　and　then　the　books　and　furniture　Ashley　ordered　from　New　York　did　run　into　money。　And　they　had　fed　and　clothed　any　number　of　waifs　who　slept　in　their　cellar。　And　Ashley　never　felt　like　refusing　a　loan　to　any　man　who’d　been　in　the　Confederate　Army。　And—
　“Miss　Melly；　I　want　to　lend　you　the　money；”　said　Rhett
　“That’s　so　kind　of　you；　but　we　might　never　repay　it。”
　“I　don’t　want　it　repaid。　Don’t　be　angry　with　me；　Miss　Melly！　Please　hear　me　through。　It　will　repay　me　enough　to　know　that　Scarlett　will　not　be　exhausting　herself　driving　miles　to　the　mills　every　day。　The　store　will　be　enough　to　keep　her　busy　and　happy。　。。。　Don’t　you　see？”
　“Well—yes—”　said　Melanie　uncertainly。
　“You　want　your　boy　to　have　a　pony　don’t　you？　And　want　him　to　go　to　the　university　and　to　Harvard　and　to　Europe　on　a　Grand　Tour？”
　“Oh；　of　course；”　cried　Melanie；　her　face　lighting　up；　as　always；　at　the　mention　of　Beau。　“I　want　him　to　have　everything　but—well；　everyone　is　so　poor　these　days　that—”
　“Mr。　Wilkes　could　make　a　pile　of　money　out　of　the　mills　some　day；”　said　Rhett。　“And　I’d　like　to　see　Beau　have　all　the　advantages　he　deserves。”
　“Oh；　Captain　Butler；　what　a　crafty　wretch　you　are！”　she　cried；　smiling。　“Appealing　to　a　mother’s　pride！　I　can　read　you　like　a　book。”
　“I　hope　not；”　said　Rhett；　and　for　the　first　time　there　was　a　gleam　in　his　eye。　“Now　will　you　let　me　lend　you　the　money？”
　“But　where　does　the　deception　come　in？”
　“We　must　be　conspirators　and　deceive　both　Scarlett　and　Mr。　Wilkes。”
　“Oh；　dear！　I　couldn’t！”
　“If　Scarlett　knew　I　had　plotted　behind　her　back；　even　for　her　own　good—well；　you　know　her　temper！　And　I’m　afraid　Mr。　Wilkes　would　refuse　any　loan　I　offered　him。　So　neither　of　them　must　know　where　the　money　comes　from。”
　“Oh；　but　I’m　sure　Mr。　Wilkes　wouldn’t　refuse；　if　he　understood　the　matter。　He　is　so　fond　of　Scarlett。”
　“Yes；　I’m　sure　he　is；”　said　Rhett　smoothly。　“But　just　the　same　he　would　refuse。　You　know　how　proud　all　the　Wilkes　are。”
　“Oh；　dear！”　cried　Melanie　miserably；　“I　wish—　Really；　Captain　Butler；　I　couldn’t　deceive　my　husband。”　…
　“Not　even　to　help　Scarlett？”　Rhett　looked　very　hurt。　“And　she　is　so　fond　of　you！”
　Tears　trembled　on　Melanie’s　eyelids。
　“You　know　I’d　do　anything　in　the　world　for　her。　I　can　never；　never　half　repay　her　for　what　she’s　done　for　me。　You　know。”
　“Yes；”　he　said　shortly；　“I　know　what　she’s　done　for　you。　Couldn’t　you　tell　Mr。　Wilkes　that　the　money　was　left　you　in　the　will　of　some　relative？”
　“Oh；　Captain　Butler；　I　haven’t　a　relative　with　a　penny　to　bless　him！”
　“Then；　if　I　sent　the　money　through　the　mail　to　Mr。　Wilkes　without　his　knowing　who　sent　it；　would　you　see　that　it　was　used　to　buy　the　mills　and　not—well；　given　away　to　destitute　ex…Confederates？”
　At　first　she　looked　hurt　at　his　last　words；　as　though　they　implied　criticism　of　Ashley；　but　he　smiled　so　understandingly　she　smiled　back。
　“Of　course　I　will。”
　“So　it’s　settled？　It’s　to　be　our　secret？”
　“But　I　have　never　kept　anything　secret　from　my　husband！”
　“I’m　sure　of　that；　Miss　Melly。”
　As　she　looked　at　him　she　thought　how　right　she　had　always　been　about　him　and　how　wrong　so　many　other　people　were。　People　had　said　he　was　brutal　and　sneering　and　bad　mannered　and　even　dishonest　Though　many　of　the　nicest　people　were　now　admitting　they　had　been　wrong。　Well！　She　had　known　from　the　very　beginning　that　he　was　a　fine　man。　She　had　never　received　from　him　anything　but　the　kindest　treatment；　thoughtfulness；　utter　respect　and　what　understanding！　And　then；　how　he　loved　Scarlett！　How　sweet　of　him　to　take　this　roundabout　way　of　sparing　Scarlett　one　of　the　loads　she　carried！
　In　an　impulsive　rush　of　feeling；　she　said：　“Scarlett’s　lucky　to　have　a　husband　who’s　so　nice　to　her！”
　“You　think　so？　I’m　afraid　she　wouldn’t　agree　with　you；　if　she　could　hear　you。　Besides；　I　want　to　be　nice　to　you　too；　Miss　Melly。　I’m　giving　you　more　than　I’m　giving　Scarlett。”
　“Me！”　she　questioned；　puzzled。　“Oh；　you　mean　for　Beau。”
　He　picked　up　his　hat　and　rose。　He　stood　for　a　moment　looking　down　at　the　plain；　heart…shaped　face　with　its　long　widow’s　peak　and　serious　dark　eyes。　Such　an　unworldly　face；　a　face　with　no　defenses　against　life。
　“No；　not　Beau。　I’m　trying　to　give　you　something　more　than　Beau；　if　you　can　imagine　that”
　“No；　I　can’t；”　she　said；　bewildered　again。　“There’s　nothing　in　the　world　more　precious　to　me　than　Beau　except　Ash—except　Mr。　Wilkes。”
　Rhett　said　nothing　and　looked　down　at　her；　his　dark　face　still。
　“You’re　mighty　nice　to　want　to　do　things　for　me；　Captain　Butler；　but　really；　I’m　so　lucky。　I　have　everything　in　the　world　any　woman　could　want。”
　“That’s　fine；”　said　Rhett；　suddenly　grim。　“And　I　intend　to　see　that　you　keep　them。”
　
　When　Scarlett　came　back　from　Tara；　the　unhealthy　pallor　had　gone　from　her　face　and　her　cheeks　were　rounded　and　faintly　pink。　Her　green　eyes　were　alert　and　sparkling　again；　and　she　laughed　aloud　for　the　first　time　in　weeks　when　Rhett　and　Bonnie　met　her　and　Wade　and　Ella　at　the　depot—laughed　in　annoyance　and　amusement。　Rhett　had　two　straggling　turkey　feathers　in　the　brim　of　his　hat　and　Bonnie；　dressed　in　a　sadly　torn　dress　that　was　her　Sunday　frock；　had　diagonal　lines　of　indigo　blue　on　her　cheeks　and　a　peacock　feather　half　as　long　as　she　was　in　her　curls。　Evidently　a　game　of　Indian　had　been　in　progress　when　the　time　came　to　meet　the　train　and　it　was　obvious　from　the　look　of　quizzical　helplessness　on　Rhett’s　face　and　the　lowering　indignation　of　Mammy　that　Bonnie　had　refused　to　have　her　toilet　remedied；　even　to　meet　her　mother。
　Scarlett　said：　“What　a　ragamuffin！”　as　she　kissed　the　child　and　turned　a　cheek　for　Rhett’s　lips。　There　were　crowds　of　people　in　the　depot　or　she　would　never　have　invited　this　caress。　She　could　not　help　noticing；　for　all　her　embarrassment　at　Bo