The Colony

But yours is a strange law, for ultimately, if one did not wish to take a wife or a husband... Ah! you will tell me, one always has need of that.

To understand this law well, you must know the story of our arrival on the island. I loved Bélinde and I believed myself loved by her. An inheritance called her to Martinique; I armed three frigates, and I was taking her there with two of her relatives. One night, the unfaithful woman disappeared with one of our ships, which was commanded by Dorval, my friend. A letter informed me that she was married. The next day, this misfortune was followed by another. We ran aground against this island, which we found to be beautiful and fertile. Not being able to leave, we resolved to inhabit it. I was Commander of the fleet; I became Governor of the Colony. Since there were almost no women among us, it was resolved that all those who landed would have eight days to choose a husband from among our young men... for one must think of the essentials.

Ah! that is natural and well thought out.

Otherwise, they would have to go in one of our small boats wherever it pleased the winds and the angry sea to take them.

Well, I bet that they all get married.

That has not yet failed to happen. Until now, always occupied by the memory of Bélinde, I excluded myself from choosing among the new arrivals; but there was murmuring about my celibacy; I thought about giving it up; I saw you appear, and you decided me.

You are very polite; but I am afraid that this Miss Bélinde...