飘-第40章

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with　astonishment。　Everybody　turned　to　look　at　her。　She　saw　the　doctor　lean　down　from　the　platform　and　whisper　something　to　Rhett　Butler。　Probably　telling　him　she　was　in　mourning　and　it　was　impossible　for　her　to　appear　on　the　floor。　She　saw　Rhett’s　shoulders　shrug　lazily。
　“Another　one　of　our　belles；　perhaps？”　questioned　the　doctor。
　“No；”　said　Rhett　clearly；　his　eyes　sweeping　the　crowd　carelessly；　“Mrs。　Hamilton。”
　“I　tell　you　it　is　impossible；”　said　the　doctor　testily。　“Mrs。　Hamilton　will　not—”
　Scarlett　heard　a　voice　which；　at　first；　she　did　not　recognize　as　her　own。
　“Yes；　I　will！”
　She　leaped　to　her　feet；　her　heart　hammering　so　wildly　she　feared　she　could　not　stand；　hammering　with　the　thrill　of　being　the　center　of　attention　again；　of　being　the　most　highly　desired　girl　present　and　oh；　best　of　all；　at　the　prospect　of　dancing　again。
　“Oh；　I　don’t　care！　I　don’t　care　what　they　say！”　she　whispered；　as　a　sweet　madness　swept　over　her。　She　tossed　her　head　and　sped　out　of　the　booth；　tapping　her　heels　like　castanets；　snapping　open　her　black　silk　fan　to　its　widest。　For　a　fleeting　instant　she　saw　Melanie’s　incredulous　face；　the　look　on　the　chaperons’　faces；　the　petulant　girls；　the　enthusiastic　approval　of　the　soldiers。
　Then　she　was　on　the　floor　and　Rhett　Butler　was　advancing　toward　her　through　the　aisle　of　the　crowd；　that　nasty　mocking　smile　on　his　face。　But　she　didn’t　care—didn’t　care　if　he　were　Abe　Lincoln　himself！　She　was　going　to　dance　again。　She　was　going　to　lead　the　reel。　She　swept　him　a　low　curtsy　and　a　dazzling　smile　and　he　bowed；　one　hand　on　his　frilled　bosom。　Levi；　horrified；　was　quick　to　cover　the　situation　and　bawled：　“Choose　yo’　padners　fo’　de　Ferginny　reel！”
　And　the　orchestra　crashed　into　that　best　of　all　reel　tunes；　“Dixie。”
　
　“How　dare　you　make　me　so　conspicuous；　Captain　Butler？”
　“But；　my　dear　Mrs。　Hamilton；　you　so　obviously　wanted　to　be　conspicuous！”
　“How　could　you　call　my　name　out　in　front　of　everybody？”
　“You　could　have　refused。”
　“But—I　owe　it　to　the　Cause—I—I　couldn’t　think　of　myself　when　you　were　offering　so　much　in　gold。　Stop　laughing；　everyone　is　looking　at　us。”
　“They　will　look　at　us　anyway。　Don’t　try　to　palm　off　that　twaddle　about　the　Cause　to　me。　You　wanted　to　dance　and　I　gave　you　the　opportunity。　This　march　is　the　last　figure　of　the　reel；　isn’t　it？”
　“Yes—really；　I　must　stop　and　sit　down　now。”
　“Why？　Have　I　stepped　on　your　feet？”
　“No—but　they’ll　talk　about　me。”
　“Do　you　really　care—down　in　your　heart？”
　“Well—”
　“You　aren’t　committing　any　crime；　are　you？　Why　not　dance　the　waltz　with　me？”
　“But　if　Mother　ever—”
　“Still　tied　to　mamma’s　apronstrings。”
　“Oh；　you　have　the　nastiest　way　of　making　virtues　sound　so　stupid。”
　“But　virtues　are　stupid。　Do　you　care　if　people　talk？”
　“No—but—well；　let’s　don’t　talk　about　it。　Thank　goodness　the　waltz　is　beginning。　Reels　always　leave　me　breathless。”
　“Don’t　dodge　my　questions。　Has　what　other　women　said　ever　mattered　to　you？”
　“Oh；　if　you’re　going　to　pin　me　down—no！　But　a　girl　is　supposed　to　mind。　Tonight；　though；　I　don’t　care。”
　“Bravo！　Now　you　are　beginning　to　think　for　yourself　instead　of　letting　others　think　for　you。　That’s　the　beginning　of　wisdom。”
　“Oh；　but—”
　“When　you’ve　been　talked　about　as　much　as　I　have；　you’ll　realize　how　little　it　matters。　Just　think；　there’s　not　a　home　in　Charleston　where　I　am　received。　Not　even　my　contribution　to　our　just　and　holy　Cause　lifts　the　ban。”
　“How　dreadful！”
　“Oh；　not　at　all。　Until　you’ve　lost　your　reputation；　you　never　realize　what　a　burden　it　was　or　what　freedom　really　is。”
　“You　do　talk　scandalous！”
　“Scandalously　and　truly。　Always　providing　you　have　enough　courage—or　money—you　can　do　without　a　reputation。”
　“Money　can’t　buy　everything。”
　“Someone　must　have　told　you　that。　You’d　never　think　of　such　a　platitude　all　by　yourself。　What　can’t　it　buy？”
　“Oh；　well；　I　don’t　know—not　happiness　or　love；　anyway。”
　“Generally　it　can。　And　when　it　can’t　it　can　buy　some　of　the　most　remarkable　substitutes。”
　“And　have　you　so　much　money；　Captain　Butler？”
　“What　an　ill…bred　question；　Mrs。　Hamilton。　I’m　surprised。　But；　yes。　For　a　young　man　cut　off　without　a　shilling　in　early　youth；　I’ve　done　very　well。　And　I’m　sure　I’ll　clean　up　a　million　on　the　blockade。”
　“Oh；　no！”
　“Oh；　yes！　What　most　people　don’t　seem　to　realize　is　that　there　is　just　as　much　money　to　be　made　out　of　the　wreckage　of　a　civilization　as　from　the　upbuilding　of　one。”
　“And　what　does　all　that　mean？”
　“Your　family　and　my　family　and　everyone　here　tonight　made　their　money　out　of　changing　a　wilderness　into　a　civilization。　That’s　empire　building。　There’s　good　money　in　empire　building。　But；　there’s　more　in　empire　wrecking。”
　“What　empire　are　you　talking　about？”
　“This　empire　we’re　living　in—the　South—the　Confederacy—the　Cotton　Kingdom—it’s　breaking　up　right　under　our　feet。　Only　most　fools　won’t　see　it　and　take　advantage　of　the　situation　created　by　the　collapse。　I’m　making　my　fortune　out　of　the　wreckage。”
　“Then　you　really　think　we’re　going　to　get　licked？”
　“Yes。　Why　be　an　ostrich？”
　“Oh；　dear；　it　bores　me　to　talk　about　such　like。　Don’t　you　ever　say　pretty　things；　Captain　Butler？”
　“Would　it　please　you　if　I　said　your　eyes　were　twin　goldfish　bowls　filled　to　the　brim　with　the　clearest　green　water　and　that　when　the　fish　swim　to　the　top；　as　they　are　doing　now；　you　are　devilishly　charming？”
　“Oh；　I　don’t　like　that。　。。。　Isn’t　the　music　gorgeous？　Oh；　I　could　waltz　forever！　I　didn’t　know　I　had　missed　it　so！”
　“You　are　the　most　beautiful　dancer　I’ve　ever　held　in　my　arms。”
　“Captain　Butler；　you　must　not　hold　me　so　tightly。　Everybody　is　looking。”
　“If　no　one　were　looking；　would　you　care？”
　“Captain　Butler；　you　forget　yourself。”
　“Not　for　a　minute。　How　could　I；　with　you　in　my　arms？　。。。　What　is　that　tune？　Isn’t　it　new？”
　“Yes。　Isn’t　it　divine？　It’s　something　we　captured　from　the　Yankees。”
　“What’s　the　name　of　it？”
　“　‘When　This　Cruel　War　Is　Over。’　”
　“What　are　the　words？　Sing　them　to　me。”
　
　“Dearest　one；　do　you　remember
　When　we　last　did　meet？
　When　you　told　me　how　you　loved　me。
　Kneeling　at　my　feet？
　Oh；　how　proud　you　stood　before　me
　In　your　suit　of　gray；
　When　you　vowed　from　me　and　country
　Ne’er　to　go　astray。
　Weeping　sad　and　lonely。
　Sighs　and　tears　how　vain！
　When　this　cruel　war　is　over
　Pray　that　we　meet　again！”
　
　“Of　course；　it　was　‘suit　of　blue’　but　we　changed　it　to　‘gray。’　。。。　Oh；　you　waltz　so　well；　Captain　Butler。　Most　big　men　don’t；　you　know。　And　to　think　it　will　be　years　and　years　before　I’ll　dance　again；”
　“It　will　only　be　a　few　minutes。　I’m　going　to　bid　you　in　for　the　next　reel—and　the　next　and　the　next。”
　“Oh；　no；　I　couldn’t！　You　mustn’t！　My　reputation　will　be　mined。”
　“It’s　in　shreds　already；　so　what　does　another　dance　matter？　Maybe　I’ll　give　the　other　boys　a　chance　after　I’ve　had　five　or　six；　but　I　must　have　the　last　one。”
　“Oh；　all　right。　I　know　I’m　crazy　but　I　don’t　care。　I　don’t　care　a　bit　what　anybody　says。　I’m　so　tired　of　sitting　at　home。　I’m　going　to　dance　and　dance—”
　“And　not　wear　black？　I　loathe　funeral　crêpe。”
　“Oh；　I　couldn’t　take　off　mourning—Captain　Butler；　you　must　not　hold　me　so　tightly。　I’ll　be　mad　at　you　if　you　do。”
　“And　you　look　gorgeous　when　you　are　mad。　I’ll　squeeze　you　again—there—just　to　see　if　you　will　really　get　mad。　You　have　no　idea　how　charming　you　were　that　day　at　Twelve　Oaks　when　you　were　mad　and　throwing　things。”
　“Oh；　please—won’t　you　forget　that？”
　“No；　it　is　one　of　my　most　priceless　memories—a　delicately　nurtured　Southern　belle　with　her　Irish　up—　You　are　very　Irish；　you　know。”
　“Oh；　dear；　there’s　the　end　of　the　music　and　there’s　Aunt　Pittypat　coming　out　of　the　back　room。　I　know　Mrs。　Merriwether　must　have　told　her。　Oh；　for　goodness’　sakes；　let’s　walk　over　and　look　out　the　window。　I　don’t　want　her　to　catch　me　now。　Her　eyes　are　as　big　as　saucers。”
　
CHAPTER　X
　OVER　THE　WAFFLES　next　morning；　Pittypat　was　lachrymose；　Melanie　was　silent　and　Scarlett　defiant。
　“I　don’t　care　if　they　do　talk。　I’ll　bet　I　made　more　money　for　the　hospital　than　any　girl　there—more　than　all　the　messy　old　stuff　we　sold；　too。”
　“Oh；　dear；　what　does　the　money　matter？”　wailed　Pittypat；　wringing　her　hands。　“I　just　couldn’t　believe　my　eyes；　and　poor　Charlie　hardly　dead　a　year。　。。。　And　that　awful　Captain　Butler；　making　you　so　conspicuous；　and　he’s　a　terrible；　terrible　person；　Scarlett。　Mrs。　Whiting’s　cousin；　Mrs。　Coleman；　whose　husband　came　from　Charleston；　told　me　about　him。　He’s　the　black　sheep　of　a　lovely　family—oh；　how　could　any　of　the　Butlers　ever　turn　out　anything　like　him？　He　isn’t　received　in　Charleston　and　he　has　the　fastest　reputation　and　there　was　something　about　a　girl—something　so　bad　Mrs。　Coleman　didn’t　even　know　what　it　was—”
　“Oh；　I　can’t　believe　he’s　that　bad；”　said　Melly　gently。　“He　seemed　a　perfect　gentleman　and　when　you　think　how　brave　he’s　been；　running　the　blockade—”
　“He　isn’t　brave；”　said　Scarlett　perversely；　pouring　half　a　pitcher　of　syrup　over　her　waffles。　“He　just　does　it　for　money。　He　told　me　so。　He　doesn’t　care　anything　about　the　Confederacy　and　he　says　we’re　going　to　get　licked。　But　he　dances　divinely。”
　Her　audience　was　speechless　with　horror。
　“I’m　tired　of　sitting　at　home　and　I’m　not　going　to　do　it　any　longer。　If　they　all　talked　about　me　about　last　night；　then　my　reputation　is　already　gone　and　it　won’t　matter　what　else　they　say。”
　It　did　not　occur　to　her　that　the　idea　was　Rhett　Butler’s。　It　came　so　patly　and　fitted　so　well　with　what　she　was　thinking。
　“Oh！　What　will　your　mother　say　when　she　hears？　What　will　she　think　of　me？”
　A　cold　qualm　of　guilt　assailed　Scarlett　at　the　thought　of　Ellen’s　consternation；　should　she　ever　learn　of　her　daughter’s　scandalous　conduct。　But　she　took　heart　at　the　thought　of　the　twenty…five　miles　between　Atlanta　and　Tara。　Miss　Pitty　certainly　wouldn’t　tell　Ellen。　It　would　put　her　in　such　a　bad　light　as　a　chaperon。　And　if　Pitty　didn’t　tattle；　she　was　safe。
　“I　think—”　said　Pitty；　“yes；　I　think　I’d　better　write　Henry　a　letter　about　it—much　as　I　hate　it—but　he’s　our　only　male　relative；　and　make　him　go　speak　reprovingly　to　Captain　Butler—　Oh；　dear；　if　Charlie　were　only　alive—　You　must　never；　never　speak　to　that　man　again；　Scarlett。”
　Melanie　had　been　sitting　quietly；　her　hands　in　her　lap；　her　waffles　cooling　on　her　plate。　She　arose　and；　coming　behind　Scarlett；　put　her　arms　about　her　neck。
　“Darling；”　she　said；　“don’t　you　get　upset。　I　understand　and　it　was　a　brave　thing　you　did　last　night　and　it’s　going　to　help　the　hospital　a　lot。　And　if　anybody　dares　say　one　little　word　about　you；　I’ll　tend　to　them。　。。。　Aunt　Pitty；　don’t　cry。　It　has　been　hard　on　Scarlett；　not　going　anywhere。　She’s　just　a　baby。”　Her　fingers　played　in　Scarlett’s　black　hair。　“And　maybe　we’d　all　be　better　off　if　we　went　out　occasionally　to　parties。　Maybe　we’ve　been　very　selfish；　staying　here　with　our　grief。　War　times　aren’t　like　other　times。　When　I　think　of　all　the　sol