where the Bahamas were. To betray ignorance would be dreadful. A
suspicion awoke in her that Tarrant, surprised by her seeming
familiarity with current literature, was craftily testing the actual
quality of her education. Upon the shiver followed a glow, and, in
fear lest her cheeks would redden, she grew angry.

He was replying.

'Partly because it is a delightful winter climate; partly because I
have a friend there; partly because the islands are interesting. A
man I knew at Oxford has gone out there, and is likely to stay. His
father owns nearly the whole of an island; and as he's in very bad
health, my friend may soon come into possession. When he does, he's
going to astonish the natives.'

'How?'

A vision of savages flashed before Nancy's mind. She breathed more
freely, thinking the danger past.

'Simply by making a fortune out of an estate that is lying all but
barren. Before the emancipation of the niggers, the Bahamas
flourished wonderfully; now they are fallen to decay, and ruled, so
far as I understand it, by a particularly contemptible crew of
native whites, who ought all to be kicked into the sea. My friend's
father is a man of no energy; he calls himself magistrate, coroner,
superintendent of the customs, and a dozen other things, but seems
to have spent his time for years in lying about, smoking and
imbibing. His son, I'm afraid, waits impatiently for the old man's
removal to a better world. He believes there are immense