The only furniture was an assortment of crude stools and benches, plus a scattering of dented metal cuspidorsThe mantelpiece over the wide fireplace and the frames around the doors and windows looked like some kind of mistakeThey were made of pine, beautifully carved with a delicate fretwork design and oiled to a glowing golden brownIn one corner there was a rough staircase with splintered wooden treads and a sagging, unsafe railingScarlett's and Pansy's clothes were draped over the length of itThe white petticoats billowed from time to time when a draft caught them, like ghosts lurking in deep shadows "Why didn't you stay in Charleston, Scarlett?" Supper was over and Pansy had been sent to sleep with the old black woman who cooked for RhettScarlett squared her shoulders"Your mother didn't want to disturb you in your paradise here She looked around the chanel black and white purse room disdainfully"But I believe you should know what's going on There's a Yankee soldier creeping into bedrooms at night-ladies' bedrooms-and handling themOne girl went clean out of her mind and had to be sent off She tried to read his face, but it was expressionlessHe was looking at her, silent, as if he was waiting for something"Well? Don't you care that your mother and I could be murdered in our beds, or something worse?" Rhett's mouth turned down in a derisive smile"Am I hearing correctly? Maidenly timidity from the woman who drove a wagon through the entire Yankee army because it was in her way? Come, now, ScarlettYou've been known to tell the truth Why did you come all this way in the rain? Were you hoping to catch me in the arms of a light o' love? Did Henry Hamilton recommend that as a way to get me to start paying your bills again?" "What on earth are you talking about, necklace tiffany Rhett Butler? What has Uncle Henry got to do with anything?" "Such convincing ignorance! I compliment youBut you can't expect me to believe for an instant that your crafty old lawyer didn't notify you when I cut off the money I was sending to AtlantaI'm too fond of Henry Hamilton to credit such negligence "Stopped sending the money? You can't do that!" Scarlett's knees turned to jellyRhett couldn't mean itWhat would happen to her? The house on Peachtree Street-the tons of coal it took to heat it, the servants to clean and cook and wash and keep the garden and the horses and polish the carriages, the food for all of them-why, it cost a fortuneHow could Uncle Henry pay the bills? He'd use her money! No, no that couldn't beShe'd scrabbled along with no food in her belly, broken shoes on her feet, her back breaking and her hands bleeding while she worked in the fields to vintage cartier ladies watch keep from starvingShe'd given up all her pride, turned her back on everything she'd been taught, done business with low-down people not fit to spit on, schemed and cheated, worked day and night for her moneyShe wouldn't let it go, she couldn'tIt was the only thing she had"You can't take my money!" she screamed at RhettBut it came out a cracked whisper"I haven't taken any away from you, my pet I've only stopped adding to itAs long as you're living in the house I provide in Charleston, there's no reason for me to maintain an empty house in AtlantaOf course, if you were to return to it, it would no longer be emptyThen I'd feel obliged to begin paying for it again Rhett walked over to the fireplace where he could see her face in the light of the flamesHis challenging smile disappeared and his forehead creased with concern"You really didn't know, did you? Hold black chanel handbag on, Scarlett, I'll get you a brandyYou look like you're going to pass outHe had to steady her hands with his to hold the glass to her lips She was trembling uncontrollablyWhen the glass was empty, he dropped it on the floor and chafed her hands until they warmed and stopped shaking "Now tell me, in sober truth, is there really a soldier breaking into bedrooms?" "Rhett, you didn't mean it, did you? You aren't going to stop sending the money to Atlanta?" "To hell with the money, Scarlett, I asked you a question "To hell with you," she said, "I asked you one"I should have known you wouldn't be able to think of anything else once money was mentionedAll right, I'll send some to HenryNow will you answer me?" "You swear?" "I swear "Tomorrow?" "Yes! Yes, dammit, tomorrowNow, once and for all, what's this story about a Yankee soldier?" Scarlett's sigh of relief seemed to tiffany