I've been living with her ever since the day you and Ashley Wilkes decided that we should have separate bedrooms."
"You have the gall to stand there and boast to me, your wife, that--"
"Oh, spare me your moral indignation.
You never gave a damn what I did as long as I paid the bills.
And you know I've been no angel recently. And as for you being my wife--you haven't been much of a wife since Bonnie came, have you?
You've been a poor investment, Scarlett.
Belle's been a better one."
"Investment?
You mean you gave her--?"
"'Set her up in business' is the correct term, I believe.
Belle's a smart woman.
I wanted to see her get ahead and all she needed was money to start a house of her own.
You ought to know what miracles a woman can perform when she has a bit of cash.
Look at yourself."
"You compare me--"
"Well, you are both hard-headed business women and both successful.
Belle's got the edge on you, of course, because she's a kind- hearted, good-natured soul--"
"Will you get out of this room?"
He lounged toward the door, one eyebrow raised quizzically.
How could he insult her so, she thought in rage and pain.
He was going out of his way to hurt and humiliate her and she writhed as she thought how she had longed for his homecoming, while all the time he was drunk and brawling with police in a bawdy house.
"Get out of this room and don't ever come back in it.
I told you that once before and you weren't enough of a gentleman to understand.
Hereafter I will lock my door."
"Don't bother."
"I will lock it.
After the way you acted the other night--so drunk, so disgusting--"
"Come now, darling!
Not disgusting, surely!"
"Get out."
"Don't worry.
I'm going.
And I promise I'll never bother you again.
That's final.
And I just thought I'd tell you that if my infamous conduct was too much for you to bear, I'll let you have a divorce.
Just give me Bonnie and I won't contest it."
"I would not think of disgracing the family with a divorce."
"You'd disgrace it quick enough if Miss Melly was dead, wouldn't you?
It makes my head spin to think how quickly you'd divorce me."
"Will you go?"
"Yes, I'm going.
That's what I came home to tell you.
I'm going to Charleston and New Orleans and--oh, well, a very extended trip. I'm leaving today."
"Oh!"
"And I'm taking Bonnie with me.
Get that foolish Prissy to pack her little duds.
I'll take Prissy too."
"You'll never take my child out of this house."
"My child too, Mrs. Butler.
Surely you do not mind me taking her to Charleston to see her grandmother?"