SCARLETT: Ashley!

ASHLEY: Scarlett. Who you hiding from in here? What are you up to? Well, why aren't you upstairs resting with the other girls? What is it, Scarlett? A secret?

C.U. SCARLETT over ASHLEY's shoulder.

SCARLETT: Oh, Ashley-Ashley, I love you.

ASHLEY: Scarlett!

SCARLETT: I love you-I do!

C.U. ASHLEY over SCARLETT's shoulder.

ASHLEY: Well, isn't it enough that you've gathered in every other man's heart today? You've always had mine - you cut your teeth on it.

C.S. ASHLEY and SCARLETT. ASHLEY rises.

SCARLETT: Oh, don't tease me now. Have I your heart, my darling? I love you, I love you.

ASHLEY: You mustn't say such things. You'll hate me for hearing them.

SCARLETT: Oh, I could never hate you and - and I know you must care about me.

C.U. ASHLEY over SCARLETT's shoulder.

SCARLETT: Oh, you don't care, don't you?

ASHLEY: Yes, I care.

C.U. SCARLETT over ASHLEY's shoulder. ASHLEY turns and moves out of the scene.

ASHLEY: Oh, can't we go away and forget we ever said these things?

M.S. SCARLETT and ASHLEY - they go to the window. ASHLEY has his back to CAMERA. SCARLETT pulls him around to face her.

SCARLETT: But how can we do that? Don't you - don't you want to marry me?

ASHLEY: I'm going to marry Melanie.

SCARLETT: But you can't. Not if you care for me.

ASHLEY: Oh, my dear, why must you make me say things that will hurt you. How can I make you understand. You're so young and unthinking. You don't know what marriage means.

SCARLETT: I know I love you, and I want to be your wife. You don't love Melanie.

C.U. ASHLEY over SCARLETT's shoulder.

ASHLEY: She's like me, Scarlett. She's part of my blood and we understand each other.

C.U. SCARLETT over ASHLEY's shoulder.

SCARLETT: But you love me. Ashley How could I help loving you? You who have all the passion for life that I lack.

C.U. ASHLEY over SCARLETT's shoulder.

SCARLETT: Well, why don't you say it, you coward. You're afraid to marry me. You'd rather live with that silly little fool who can't open her mouth except to say "yes" and "no" and raise a passel of mealy-mouthed brats just like her.

ASHLEY: You mustn't say things like that about Melanie.

SCARLETT: Who are you to tell me I mustn't. You led me on - you - made me believe you wanted to marry me.

ASHLEY: Now, Scarlett, be fair. I never at any time -

SCARLETT: You did, it's true you did! I'll hate you till I die! I can't think of anything bad enough to call you.

L.S. ASHLEY at window - SCARLETT. SCARLETT walking to f.g. ASHLEY comes to her. She slaps his face and he exits, closing the door behind him.

C.U. SCARLETT - CAMERA PANS down to vase on table.

L.S. Library - SCARLETT in f.g. She throws vase at mantle.

M.S. RHETT is whistling as he rises and peers over back of couch at SCARLETT o.s.

M.S. SCARLETT

SCARLETT: (she gasps)

M.S. RHETT

RHETT: Has the war started?

M.S. SCARLETT

SCARLETT: Sir, you - you should have made your presence known.

M.L.S. RHETT. He comes from behind couch and CAMERA PANS with him as he walks over to SCARLETT.

RHETT: In the middle of that beautiful love scene? That wouldn't have been very tactful, would it? But, don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

SCARLETT: Sir, you are no gentleman!

RHETT: And you, Miss, are no lady.

SCARLETT: Oh!

RHETT: Don't think that I hold that against you. Ladies have never held any charm for me.

C.U. SCARLETT - RHETT framed in left f.g.

SCARLETT: First you take a low, common advantage of me - then you insult me.

C.U. RHETT - SCARLETT framed in right f.g.

RHETT: I meant it as a compliment, and I hope to see more of you when you're free of the spell of the elegant Mr. Wilkes. He doesn't strike me as half good enough for a girl of your - ah - what was it? Your passion for living.

C.U. SCARLETT - RHETT framed in left f.g.

SCARLETT: How dare you! You aren't fit to wipe his boots.

M.S. RHETT and SCARLETT - CAMERA PANS with her as she goes to the door.

C.U. RHETT

RHETT: And you were going to hate him for the rest of your life.