Thank God, he had not come in.
She could not face him tonight, shamed, frightened, shaking.
But where was he?
Probably at that creature's place.
For the first time, Scarlett was glad there was such a person as Belle Watling. Glad there was some other place than this house to shelter Rhett until his glittering, murderous mood had passed.
That was wrong, being glad a husband was at the house of a prostitute, but she could not help it.
She would be almost glad if he were dead, if it meant she would not have to see him tonight.
Tomorrow--well, tomorrow was another day.
Tomorrow she would think of some excuse, some counter accusations, some way of putting Rhett in the wrong.
Tomorrow the memory of this hideous night would not be driving her so fiercely that she shook.
Tomorrow she would not be so haunted by the memory of Ashley's face, his broken pride and his shame--shame that she had caused, shame in which he had so little part.
Would he hate her now, her darling honorable Ashley, because she had shamed him?
Of course he would hate her now--now that they had both been saved by the indignant squaring of Melanie's thin shoulders and the love and outspoken trust which had been in her voice as she crossed the glassy floor to slip her arm through Scarlett's and face the curious, malicious, covertly hostile crowd.
How neatly Melanie had scotched the scandal, keeping Scarlett at her side all through the dreadful evening!
People had been a bit cool, somewhat bewildered, but they had been polite.
Oh, the ignominy of it all, to be sheltered behind Melanie's skirts from those who hated her, who would have torn her to bits with their whispers!
To be sheltered by Melanie's blind trust, Melanie of all people!
Scarlett shook as with a chill at the thought.
She must have a drink, a number of drinks before she could lie down and hope to sleep.
She threw a wrapper about her gown and went hastily out into the dark hall, her backless slippers making a great clatter in the stillness.
She was halfway down the stairs before she looked toward the closed door of the dining room and saw a narrow line of light streaming from under it.
Her heart stopped for a moment.
Had that light been burning when she came home and had she been too upset to notice it?
Or was Rhett home after all?
He could have come in quietly through the kitchen door.
If Rhett were home, she would tiptoe back to bed without her brandy, much as she needed it.
Then she wouldn't have to face him.
Once in her room she would be safe, for she could lock the door.
She was leaning over to pluck off her slippers, so she might hurry back in silence, when the dining-room door swung open abruptly and Rhett stood silhouetted against the dim candlelight behind him.
He looked huge, larger than she had ever seen him, a terrifying faceless black bulk that swayed slightly on its feet.
"Pray join me, Mrs. Butler," he said and his voice was a little thick.
He was drunk and showing it and she had never before seen him show his liquor, no matter how much he drank.
She paused irresolutely, saying nothing and his arm went up in gesture of command.
"Come here, damn you!" he said roughly.
He must be very drunk, she thought with a fluttering heart.
Usually, the more he drank, the more polished became his manners.
He sneered more, his words were apt to be more biting, but the manner that accompanied them was always punctilious--too punctilious.
"I must never let him know I'm afraid to face him," she thought, and, clutching the wrapper closer to her throat, she went down the stairs with her head up and her heels clacking noisily.
He stood aside and bowed her through the door with a mockery that made her wince.
She saw that he was coatless and his cravat hung down on either side of his open collar.
His shirt was open down to the thick mat of black hair on his chest.
His hair was rumpled and his eyes bloodshot and narrow.
One candle burned on the table, a tiny spark of light that threw monstrous shadows about the high- ceilinged room and made the massive sideboards and buffet look like still, crouching beasts.
On the table on the silver tray stood the decanter with cut-glass stopper out, surrounded by glasses.
"Sit down," he said curtly, following her into the room.
Now a new kind of fear crept into her, a fear that made her alarm at facing him seem very small.
He looked and talked and acted like a stranger.
This was an ill-mannered Rhett she had never seen before.
Never at any time, even in most intimate moments, had he been other than nonchalant.
Even in anger, he was suave and satirical, and whisky usually served to intensify these qualities.