The Colony

Blaise, I accept your offers with much joy. In an unknown country, without a guide, without help, what would become of me if you abandoned me?

Do not be afraid. Madam is all alone, apparently?

Alas, yes; I lost the two female relatives who accompanied me in the shipwreck. But begin by telling me where I am; what is this country? what is the people that inhabits it?

I arrived just like you; but I have already had time to learn that my mistress, a hussy whom I intended to make a wife, is going to be taken from me by the Governor.

Taken! are these people pirates?

That could very well be. Suffice it to say that he is marrying her. Ah! there is a law here.

What is it?

Ah! an unworthy law. It is.... (but that perhaps will not affect you.) It is that all the girls who arrive on the Island are obliged to take a husband within a week or leave.

What is that to me!

Oh; I surely said so.

I have no desire to stay more than eight days, and I will leave.

Ah! that is another matter. But do you see that little boat that is there on the shore? it is in that...