But I didn't come all the way out here to hear you talk foolishness about me.
I came--I came--because--"
"Because?"
"Oh, Rhett, I'm so terribly distressed about you!
So frightened for you!
When will they let you out of that terrible place?"
He swiftly covered her hand with his and held it hard against his arm.
"Your distress does you credit. There's no telling when I'll be out.
Probably when they've stretched the rope a bit more."
"The rope?"
"Yes, I expect to make my exit from here at the rope's end."
"They won't really hang you?"
"They will if they can get a little more evidence against me."
"Oh, Rhett!" she cried, her hand at her heart.
"Would you be sorry?
If you are sorry enough, I'll mention you in my will."
His dark eyes laughed at her recklessly and he squeezed her hand.
His will!
She hastily cast down her eyes for fear of betrayal but not swiftly enough, for his eyes gleamed, suddenly curious.
"According to the Yankees, I ought to have a fine will.
There seems to be considerable interest in my finances at present.
Every day, I am hauled up before another board of inquiry and asked foolish questions.
The rumor seems current that I made off with the mythical gold of the Confederacy."
"Well--did you?"
"What a leading question!
You know as well as I do that the Confederacy ran a printing press instead of a mint."
"Where did you get all your money?
Speculating?
Aunt Pittypat said--"
"What probing questions you ask!"
Damn him!
Of course, he had the money.
She was so excited it became difficult to talk sweetly to him.
"Rhett, I'm so upset about your being here.
Don't you think there's a chance of your getting out?"
"'Nihil desperandum' is my motto."
"What does that mean?"
"It means 'maybe,' my charming ignoramus."
She fluttered her thick lashes up to look at him and fluttered them down again.
"Oh, you're too smart to let them hang you!
I know you'll think of some clever way to beat them and get out!
And when you do--"
"And when I do?" he asked softly, leaning closer.
"Well, I--" and she managed a pretty confusion and a blush.
The blush was not difficult for she was breathless and her heart was beating like a drum.
"Rhett, I'm so sorry about what I--I said to you that night--you know--at Rough and Ready.
I was--oh, so very frightened and upset and you were so--so--" She looked down and saw his brown hand tighten over hers.
"And--I thought then that I'd never, never forgive you!
But when Aunt Pitty told me yesterday that you--that they might hang you--it came over me of a sudden and I--I--" She looked up into his eyes with one swift imploring glance and in it she put an agony of heartbreak.
"Oh, Rhett, I'd die if they hanged you!