Jail had not changed him one bit.
The fat captain was muttering through his cigar to the merry-eyed officer.
"Most irregular.
He should be in the firehouse.
You know the orders."
"Oh, for God's sake, Henry! The lady would freeze in that barn."
"Oh, all right, all right!
It's your responsibility."
"I assure you, gentlemen," said Rhett, turning to them but still keeping a grip on Scarlett's shoulders, "my--sister hasn't brought me any saws or files to help me escape."
They all laughed and, as they did, Scarlett looked quickly about her.
Good Heavens, was she going to have to talk to Rhett before six Yankee officers!
Was he so dangerous a prisoner they wouldn't let him out of their sight?
Seeing her anxious glance, the nice officer pushed open a door and spoke brief low words to two privates who had leaped to their feet at his entrance.
They picked up their rifles and went out into the hall, closing the door behind them.
"If you wish, you may sit here in the orderly room," said the young captain. "And don't try to bolt through that door.
The men are just outside."
"You see what a desperate character I am, Scarlett," said Rhett.
"Thank you, Captain.
This is most kind or you."
He bowed carelessly and taking Scarlett's arm pulled her to her feet and propelled her into the dingy orderly room.
She was never to remember what the room looked like except that it was small and dim and none too warm and there were handwritten papers tacked on the mutilated walls and chairs which had cowhide seats with the hair still on them.
When he had closed the door behind them, Rhett came to her swiftly and bent over her.
Knowing his desire, she turned her head quickly but smiled provocatively at him out of the corners of her eyes.
"Can't I really kiss you now?"
"On the forehead, like a good brother," she answered demurely.
"Thank you, no.
I prefer to wait and hope for better things."
His eyes sought her lips and lingered there a moment.
"But how good of you to come to see me, Scarlett!
You are the first respectable citizen who has called on me since my incarceration, and being in jail makes one appreciate friends.
When did you come to town?"
"Yesterday afternoon."
"And you came out this morning?
Why, my dear, you are more than good."
He smiled down at her with the first expression of honest pleasure she had ever seen on his face.
Scarlett smiled inwardly with excitement and ducked her head as if embarrassed.
"Of course, I came out right away.
Aunt Pitty told me about you last night and I--I just couldn't sleep all night for thinking how awful it was.
Rhett, I'm so distressed!"
"Why, Scarlett!"
His voice was soft but there was a vibrant note in it, and looking up into his dark face she saw in it none of the skepticism, the jeering humor she knew so well.
Before his direct gaze her eyes fell again in real confusion.
Things were going even better than she hoped.
"It's worth being in jail to see you again and to hear you say things like that.
I really couldn't believe my ears when they brought me your name.
You see, I never expected you to forgive me for my patriotic conduct that night on the road near Rough and Ready.
But I take it that this call means you have forgiven me?"
She could feel swift anger stir, even at this late date, as she thought of that night but she subdued it and tossed her head until the earrings danced.
"No, I haven't forgiven you," she said and pouted.
"Another hope crushed.