Scarlett's mind went back through the years to the still hot noon at Tara when grey smoke curled above a blue-clad body and Melanie stood at the top of the stairs with Charles' sabre in her hand. Scarlett remembered that she had thought at the time: 'How silly! Melly couldn't even heft that sword!' But now she knew that had the necessity arisen, Melanie would have charged down those stairs and killed the Yankee - or been killed herself.

what will the South be like without all our fine boys? What would the South have been if they had lived?

Longing hearts could only stand so much longing.

You are a child if you thought I didn’t know, for all your smothering yourself under that hot lap robe. Of course, I knew. Why else do you think I’ve been—” He stopped suddenly and a silence fell between them. He picked up the reins and clucked to the horse.

I'm tempting you with fine gifts until your girlish ideals are quite worn away and you are at my mercy.

You should be kissed and by someone who knows how.

It was better to know the worst than to wonder.