Chapter 49 Summary

At Melanie's home, Mrs. Elsing and India begin bad-mouthing Scarlett in front of Melanie. Melanie defends Scarlett, reminding them that Melanie would probably be dead or living up in New York if it were not for Scarlett. Melanie ensures that the Old Southern women will call on Scarlett in her new home at least once.

Meanwhile, Scarlett is overseeing the building of her new mansion. Scarlett begins making friends with Scalawags, Carpetbaggers, and Republicans, shunning many of the old families. At her party, the old families come, but they leave when the new Republican governor arrives, including Melanie. Scarlett expresses her anger with Melanie the next day, but Melanie says that she cannot bear to be around Republicans.

Rhett, on the other hand, does not like Scarlett's new friends and he tells her that she sets too much stock in the power they...