She received a missive. It was long, like an official document; it bore evidence of having been carried for some hours in a coat-pocket, and was folded in one of those old, troublesome ways in use before the days of envelopes. Aurora pulled it open.
"It is all figures; light a candle."
The candle was lighted by Clotilde and held over Aurora's shoulder; they saw a heading and footing more conspicuous than the rest of the writing.
The heading read:
"Aurora and Clotilde Nancanou, owners of Fausse Rivière
Plantation, in account with Honoré Grandissime."
The footing read:
"Balance at credit, subject to order of Aurora and Clotilde
Nancanou, $105,000.00."
The date followed:
"March 9, 1804."
and the signature: