Atlanta,1873.It'sanotherday(Melanie'sfuneral,infact),andScarlettisdeterminedtowinbackRhett(who'sspendingalotoftimewithBelleWatling).First,shegoestoTaraandspatswithSueEllenoverTara.ThenshegoestoCharleston,presentingherselftoRhett'smotherandfriends,toRhett'sdismay.Butwhenshe'scaughtinacompromisingpositionwithAshely,sheretirestohermother'speopleinSavannah,andheroverbearinggrandfatherRobelard,whileRhettcourtsanewbride.ScarlettalsoseeksoutherO'HararelativesandmeetshercousinColum,apriest(andgunrunner).Andknowingthem,shegoestoIreland.ThereshemeetsthehandsomeEarlofFenton,whoownsBallyhara,theancestralhomeoftheO'Haras.AndwhenScarlettbuysitfromhim,shebecomesthefinancialandspiritualheadofthefamily.Buthernewfoundhappinessisshort-livedasdisastersstrike,andshemustrelyonRhett'sloveforhertosaveherfromthegallows.