Унесенные ветром

Chapter 7

           Ellen,distracted,finallygaveinasothermothersthroughouttheSouthweredoing.Theirleisuredworldhadbeenturnedtopsy-turvy,andtheirpleadings,prayersandadviceavailednothingagainstthepowerfulforcessweepingthemalong.

           TheSouthwasintoxicatedwithenthusiasmandexcitement.EveryoneknewthatonebattlewouldendthewarandeveryyoungmanhastenedtoenlistbeforethewarshouldendhastenedtomarryhissweetheartbeforeherushedofftoVirginiatostrikeablowattheYankees.ThereweredozensofwarweddingsintheCountyandtherewaslittletimeforthesorrowofparting,foreveryonewastoobusyandexcitedforeithersolemnthoughtsortears.Theladiesweremakinguniforms,knittingsocksandrollingbandages,andthemenweredrillingandshooting.TrainloadsoftroopspassedthroughJonesborodailyontheirwaynorthtoAtlantaandVirginia.Somedetachmentsweregailyuniformedinthescarletsandlightbluesandgreensofselectsocial-militiacompanies;somesmallgroupswereinhomespunandcoonskincaps;others,ununiformed,wereinbroadclothandfinelinen;allwerehalf-drilled,half-armed,wildwithexcitementandshoutingasthoughenroutetoapicnic.ThesightofthesementhrewtheCountyboysintoapanicforfearthewarwouldbeoverbeforetheycouldreachVirginia,andpreparationsfortheTroop’sdeparturewerespeeded.

           Inthemidstofthisturmoil,preparationswentforwardforScarlett’sweddingand,almostbeforesheknewit,shewascladinEllen’sweddingdressandveil,comingdownthewidestairsofTaraonherfather’sarm,tofaceahousepackedfullwithguests.Afterwardsheremembered,asfromadream,thehundredsofcandlesflaringonthewalls,hermother’sface,loving,alittlebewildered,herlipsmovinginasilentprayerforherdaughter’shappiness,Geraldflushedwithbrandyandpridethathisdaughterwasmarryingbothmoney,afinenameandanoldoneandAshley,standingatthebottomofthestepswithMelanie’sarmthroughhis.

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