Will returns from a trip to Jonesboro with terrible news: the Scalawags and carpetbaggers have raised the taxes on Tara. Scarlett does not have enough money to pay the taxes, so she goes to ask Ashley for advice. He says he cannot help her. With self-loathing, he tells Scarlett he cannot bear to face reality; he misses the Old South. Scarlett tells Ashley that she still loves him and suddenly asks him to escape with her. They kiss passionately, and Ashley tells Scarlett that he loves her but cannot leave Melanie, for he loves his honor more than he loves Scarlett. Placing a clump of Tara’s red clay in Scarlett’s hands, Ashley tells Scarlett that he knows she loves Tara even more than she loves him. Scarlett remembers her passion for Tara and walks back to the house, vowing never to throw herself at Ashley again.