1、Gone with the Wind飄CHAPTER ONESixteen-year-old Scarlett O'Hara jumped down from her father's carriage and stood still for a moment. She made herself hair, smoothed her hair, and looked at her surroundings,Scarlett and her father and sisters had just arrived at a large plantation called Twelv

2、e Oaks, which belonged to the Wilkes family. The OHaras also owned a nearby plantation which was called Tara. It was not as old or beautiful as Twelve Oaks, but Scarlett loved it just as much.It was a beautiful spring day in the year 1861, and the Wilkes family was having a barbecue party. As Scarle

3、tt looked around, it seemed to her that all the people in the American state of Georgia had been invited. The large, green lawn in front of the house was filled with talking and laughing. It was too early for the barbecue meal to be eaten, but the wonderful smell of roosting pork and chicken filled

4、the air. As Scarlett stood in front of the carriage, watching her father and sisters greet the others, she could hardly wait for the party to begin,Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but many men and hoys were in love with her. There was something very pretty about her face though, with long bla

5、ck curls and large green eyes that looked like a cat's. Her waist was tiny, and her soft skin was like peaches and cream. On this day, Scarlett had chosen her best dress and done her hair especially nicely, because today was not like other days. This was the day that Scarlett would finally tell

6、Ashley Wilkes the truth about herself: that she was in love with him!When she entered the Wilkes' house, the first thing Scarlett did was to look for Ashley, but she did not src him anywhere, However, her friends Stuart and Brent Tarleton had seen Scarlett arrive, and they went over to say hello

7、. Stuart and Brent, who were twins, were cheerful, handsome boys who had been interested in Scarlett for years. They were clearly happy to see Scarlett, and she promised them many dances. However, her mind was on Ashley.Scarlett could not believe that there was ever a time when she did not love Ashl

8、ey Wilkes, the oldest child of the wealthy and respected Wilkes family. Scarlett and Ashley had known each other since they were children; their fathers were very good friends. Scarlett had not paid much attention to Ashley when they were growing up; she had thought he was too quiet and serious. And

9、 Scarlett was neither quiet nor serious! But one day two years ago, Ashley had returned from a long stay in Europe and had come to visit the 0Haras. Scarlett had been sitting on the porch with her younger sisters, Suellen and Carreen, when he rode up on his horse. When she saw him, Scarlett felt her

10、 heart begin to pound. How Ashley had changed! He was handsome, elegant, and mysterious. Ever since that day, she had loved him and wanted him. Scarlett wanted Ashley the way she wanted air to breathe, or food to eat. It was a deep need, and she could not understand it. But she did not try, because

11、Scarlett did not think about things very much. She was not a serious girl, arid she did not understand people and their emotions.Ashley was not like the other boys who had flirted with her, brought her flowers, and asked her to dances and parties. Scarlett was used to being the prettiest girl at a p

12、arty and getting the most attention from boys. Truthfully, Scarlett thought that men were the most interesting thing in the world. She was the sort of girl who did not have girl friends. To her, other girls were enemies in the search for men.It was true that Ashley had never told Scarlett he loved h

13、er. Unlike Scarlett, who usually said exactly what she thought, Ashley was quiet. And yet, Scarlett knew that he loved her. It was a strong, deep belief that had no reason. But Scarlett had seen the way he often looked at her. He looked at her as if he was starving, and she was food. These looks of

14、Ashley's sent chills down Scarletts back. Why hadn't he told her that he loved her? Scarlett couldn't understand. But then, there were lots of things about Ashley that she couldn't understand.No one really knew him very well. He was just as good at dancing, gambling, hunting, and dri

15、nking as any of the other boys she knew, yet Ashley was different. These kinds of activities were not the goal of life to him. Ashley enjoyed more serious things like music, books and poetry. Scarlett guessed that he did not want to be a rich plantation owner like his father.Oh, why was he so intere

16、sting? He was like a closed door, and she couldn't find the key. Many times Scarlett had tried to discover the reason why she loved him. After all, she thought books and poetry were boring. The mystery of Ashley burned in Scarlett's simple heart. The things about him that she didn't unde

17、rstand only made her want him more.Although Scarlett appeared smiling and happy on the day of the party, her mind and heart were deeply afraid. The day before, Scarlett had heard something terrible: Ashley was supposed to marry his cousin Melanie Hamilton some rime soon. However, because Scarlett be

18、lieved that Ashley truly loved her, she had decided to take him away from Melanie.Scarlett stood in the Wilkes home, talking to the Tarleton boys and her friend Cathleen Calvert, Suddenly, she notified a man staring at her whom she had never seen before. He did not look like a local person. He was w

19、ell dressed and looked as if he came from the city. He looked about thirty-five, and was tall, strong, and very handsome. His skin was dark, like a pirate S, and his thick, curly hair was black. When the man saw her looking at him, he smiled like a wolf. There was a look of humor in his eyes. Scarle

20、tt caught her breath."Good heavens! That man looks as if as if he knows what 1 look like without my clothes on! “she thought, and suddenly turned red. She felt as if she should be insulted by this man, but somehow she was not. Seeing her confusion, the man smiled even wider, and turned away.Sca

21、rlett and Cathleen decided to go upstairs and fix their hair. "Now you boys stay here and wait for me. Don't you go anywhere, or I'll be angry!" Scarlett said sweetly to Stuart and Brent. Both boys stared after her eagerly as she walked away.While the two girls were fixing their ha

22、ir, Scarlett said to Cathleen, "Cathleen, who is that nasty man downstairs the tall one with the black hair?"Cathleen smiled. "Darling, don't you know? That's Rhett Butler! He's the man whom we've heard aboutthe one who was forced to leave the West Point school. And no

23、w people are saying he killed a man because of some terrible situation with a girl. Really, he's got the worst reputation! ”As she spoke, Cathleen looked as if she thought Rhett Butler's "reputation” was the best thing she had ever heard of. Scarlett, who loved gossip, laughed. "Ca

24、thy, what did he do with the girl?""Scarlett, didn't you hear about this? Caroline told me all about it last summer! Well, Mr. Butler and this girl from Charleston went out riding in a carriage together. And they stayed out all night! The next morning they came back to her father's

25、 house, and Rhett said that the horse had run away and they had gotten lost in the woods and Mr. Butler refused to marry her after all that! ” Cathleen looked shocked. “He said she was a stupid fool and he hadnt done anything to her, so there wasnt any reason why he should marry her. So the girls br

26、other got angry and had a duel with him, and Rhett killed him! That's why he had to leave Charleston. Now no one who's important in society will speak to him."Scarlett was amazed and interested. She had never heard of anything so terrible! In those days, young, innocent girls were very

27、interested in stories about men and girls who had been "bad." Although Scarlett was not going to speak to Rhett Butler, she secretly felt respect for him for refusing to marry a girl who was a fool.When Scarlett went downstairs she ran into Charles Hamilton, Melanie's brother. "He

28、llo, Miss Scarlett/1 he said shyly. Charles was a kind, quiet boy with soft brown hair and large brown eyes like a puppy's. He was terribly shy with girls, and so he could not believe it when Scarlett spoke to him.Scarlett wanted to make Ashley jealous, in case he was watching her. She gave Char

29、les her sweetest smile and said. "Why, Charles Hamilton! Did you come here all the way from Atlanta just to break my poor little heart?" Scarlett put her hand on Charles' arm. "Now remember to sit with me at the barbecue - you are just the boy I want to talk to! "Charles did

30、not know what to say. Beautiful Scarlett O'Hara, who could have any boy she wanted, was talking to him? He felt a thousand times taller "Whywhy, of course 1 will, Miss Scarlett/' he said, and Scarlett danced away.All through the morning and into the afternoon, Scarlett talked and laughe

31、d with many boys. Scarlett's prettiness, her laughter, and her charm attracted so many boys that the other girls were looking at her angrily. However, inside she was unhappy. She had only seen Ashley once that day. He and Melanie had welcomed her to the party, but Scarlett had not seen him alone

32、. He was always with Melanie. Why?Now, as Scarlett watched them, Melanie and Ashley were sitting quietly under a tree and talking together. Melanie1 s plain, thin little face was shining with love and happiness. Scarlett wondered what they were talking about. Probably boring things, like music and p

33、oetry!Melanie Hamilton was a small girl from Atlanta who was deeply loved by everyone who met her, especially adults. She had a kind heart and a truly sweet manner. Melanie was very different from other people, because she always thought the best of everyone. As Scarlett stared at Melanie, full of f

34、ear and jealousy, she had to admit that today Melanie looked almost pretty. Her pale skin was the color of roses, and her huge brown eyes glowed as she stared up at Ashley.Scarlett decided she had to try harder to get Ashley to notice her. She flirted with Charles Hamilton and the Tarleton boys as w

35、ell. She hoped that the boys would fight over her so that Ashley would notice, but he never even looked in her direction as he and Melanie walked away, arm in arm.So Scarlett was miserable.Suddenly she saw Rhett Butler staring at her again. There was a look of cool humor in his eyes. Scarlett had th

36、e strange feeling that Rhett knew exactly what was bothering her. Furious, she tossed her black curls and gave him an angry look.Suddenly Ashley's mother came out of the house and told everyone that it was time for the afternoon rest. Smiling at the boys around her, Scarlett got up and walked up

37、 to the house slowly so that everyone could admire her. As she walked, Scarlett made a firm decision. She would sneak out of the girls room when everyone was asleep and find Ashley. She would tell him she had to talk to him, and they would go somewhere alone. Then, she would tell him her true feelin

38、gs.Suddenly Scarlett heard some loud, angry conversation coming from a group of men, including Rhett Butler, Ashley, and the Tarleton boys. They were discussing the possibility of a great war with the Northern American states. This topic bored all the ladies, especially Scarlett. But when Scarlett h

39、eard Rhett Butler speaking, she stopped to listen. She was curious to hear what he had to say.He was talking in a calm, cool voice. "Have any of you fine, Southern gentlemen thought that there's not a chance we can win this war? As Napoleon once said, 'God is on the aide of the stronges

40、t army1 and we are not strong."“Sir, what do you mean?" asked Charles Hamilton angrily."I mean that we don't have iron or weapons facto-ries, like the North does. We don't have a single war ship. All the men in the South are talking the way you boys are confidently, as if we c

41、ould really beat the North. I am from the South, as you all know, but I have spent time in the North as well. Up there, they've got tons of immigrants and free black people who will gladly fight for them. They've got plenty of soldiers, food, and weapons. All we have here is cotton, slaves,

42、and too much pride.” Rhett laughed coldly. "Oh, but I am sure that you gentlemen have thought of these things,” he said sarcastically. "Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I am going inside.""What is he saying.? Why, he's saying that our Southern boys are fools!” thought Sc

43、arlett. She wanted to feel angry at Rhett for speaking badly of the South, but a small part of her thought that his words made sense. But there was more war talk. Quickly, she turned her mind back to Ashley, and hurried inside.CHAPTER TWOWhen Scarlett was sure that Melanie and the other girls were a

44、sleep, she got out of her bed and walked downstairs. She looked out of a window and saw Ashley walking into the house alone. Scarlett's heart began to pound. Now was her chance!As Ashley opened the door and stepped into the house, Scarlett came forward. "Hello, Ashley.""Scarlett!&

45、quot; Ashley smiled down at her warmly. "I haven't seen you all day are you hiding from Charles and the Tarleton boys?" he said. "Aren't you tired?""No no, I'm not tired," said Scarlett, her voice shaking. There was a hot glow in her face and a strong, deter

46、mined look in her eyes. She could see that Ashley was curious. "Ashley I have to talk to you. Now."Ashley looked surprised. "Why, Scarlett, what's the matter? Come into the library."They went into the cool, dark library and Ashley closed the door behind them. "What is it

47、 you wanted to tell me, Scarlett?""A secretI love you."For a long moment Ashley looked at her and said nothing. He stared at her so intensely that Scarlett thought she might faint. "Oh, why doesn't he answer me!” she thought.Finally he smiled. "Why, Scarlett, Im honored.

48、 You've always had my heart, you know." His words were too cheerful and his eyes were full of pain, but Scarlett did not notice."Oh, Ashley, don't tease me, please! I mean what I say! I know I've never told you until now, but." Scarlett didn't know what to say. Why did

49、n't they just stop talking, so Ashley could kiss her? "Oh Ashley, kiss me! I love you! I've waited so long for you." Scarlett leaned in close to him."Stop it, Scarlett!” Ashley's voice was soft but harsh. and his hands grabbed her by the shoulders. "You must not say t

50、hese things! You'll hate yourself for saying them, and you'll hate me for hearing them, I promise you!"Ashley, what are you talking about? I couldn't ever hate you. I love you and I know you must care about me because." Scarlett stopped speaking. "Ashley, you do care about

51、 me, don't you?Ashley turned away from her. "Yes," he said softly, as if speaking to himself. "I do. How could I not love you? You have all the passion for life that I do not."Scarlett was speechless. It was true! She had been right all along!"Scthen, you'll marry me

52、? Oh, Ashley! ” Scarlett cried.Ashley turned around. "Scarlett, forget I ever said that! We're going to leave this room and forget all about this conversation,"“But.why, Ashley ? Don't you want to marry me?" asked Scarlett.Ashley's face was white. "Scarlett," he

53、said, "I'm going to marry Melanie. I should have told you before, but T thought you knew about it months ago. My father is going to announce our engagement tonight at the boil. I never thought that you felt you always had so many boys around you” He stopped speaking, staring at her unhappil

54、y.Scarlett tried to listen to him, but she had only understood one thing: what she had heard was true. Ashley was going to marry Melanie,Ashley continued, "Oh, Scarlett, do you have to make me say things that will hurt you? How can I make you understand? We are too different. You are too young

55、to know what marriage is.”"I know 1 love you!” cried Scarlett."Scarlett, love isn't enough when people are so different。 You are the kind of girl who needs all of a man his body, mind, soul and heart. And 1 couldn't give you all of me. And if we were married, Scarlett, I'd make

56、 you unhappy and bitter because of this. You'd come to hate me as much as you once loved rue. You'd he hurt because the books I read and the poetry 1 wrote took me away from you. Melanie is like me. She loves the same things.""Do you love her?" Scarlett interrupted angrily.&qu

57、ot;She is like me." Ashley looked tired and sad. "We understand each other. Scarlett, I'm begging you to try and understand. Forgive me, I can't marry you I never intended to marry you.""But you said you cared about me" Listening to Ashley say things which pulled her

58、 heart in two pieces, she was beginning to feel angry. "And if you weren't going to marry me, you were a liar to say it!”"Scarlett, please. Did I ever make you think that I wanted to marry you?""You did! You know you did! Why don't you say it, you coward? You're afrai

59、d to marry me! You'd rather spend the rest of your life with that shy, stupid little fool who will never disagree with you!" Scarlett said furiously."You can't talk that way about Melanie!” said Ashley sharply."Oh, I can't. Be damned! Who are you to tell me that I can'

60、t? Damn you, Ashley! You coward, you liar! You made me believe you were going to marry me”"Scarlett, be fair," Ashley pleaded. He held out his hands to her.Scarlett jumped back. "I shall hate you until I die, you no-good, awful oh!” She suddenly hit him hard across the face.For a horr

61、ible moment there was silence. Suddenly Scarletts anger was gone, seeing the look on Ashleys face. He looked like a man who was dying. Silently he left the room, closing the door behind him. It was over.CHAPTER THREEScarlett stood there, trying to understand what had just happened. She was so full of pain and anger that she picked up a vase and threw it across the room. It smashed into many pieces. Suddenly she heard a laugh come from a corner of the library. "This," said the voice, is just too much."Scarlett turned around quickly and saw Rhet