XLI.

Afternoon light was casting its soft rays on the hands orderly folded in her lap. At first, their pallor was hidden by black lacy glows. The photographer observed his model from four different corners. A small black hat with one single crow´s feather covered the neat bun. Obliquely placed at a distance of a finger tip from oiled bangs, the hat threw an oval shadow over the crystal-blue eyes and lips painted in a slight pink shade. A lock or two escaped from the bun and hid behind the ears jewelled with small black earrings. Folds of the black dress gathered on the sofa and spread in lavish waves. Scarce pearls appeared between the layers of the greyish overskirt. A silver bracelet peeked out from under the left sleeve. Among all those mere decorations, at the centre of the photography-to-be was an hereditary treasure, a witness to an unfortunate events of the past and a bearer of a certain future; a silver medallion with two small photos inside.