“It is half invested in real estate in Northern cities, and half in special deposits of gold in Northern banks.”
“Indeed! Then you must have sent it North long before these troubles began.”
“Yes, more than four years ago,—soon after the Nashville Convention.”
“What’s the amount in your hands?”
“Half a million; probably it will be seven hundred thousand, if gold should rise, as I think it will.”
“And how much, Mr. Winslow, of the property, my father left me has gone to Mr. Ratcliff?”
“More than three millions.”
“Very well. I wish to revoke all previous requests I may have made as to the disposition of the property in your hands. Now take your pen and write as I shall dictate.”
“Let me first explain, Mrs. Ratcliff, that any conveyance of personalty you might make would be null without your husband’s consent. But in this case forms are of no account, and even witnesses are unnecessary. Everything is left to my individual honor and discretion.”
“I’m aware of that, Mr. Winslow. It is not so much a will as a series of requests I’ve to make.”