* * *

She packed a bag of items she did not want to be without: her photo album, her sketch pad and pencils, a couple of favorite icons, and the gold Fabergé box, then she put her camera beside it.

She pulled on the undergarments and skirt into which she had sewn jewels, and saw her sisters doing the same.

She pulled on her boots and laced them, then picked up her camera and her travel bag. When they were all ready, they walked out to the drawing room.

As they passed the stuffed black bear at the top of the stairs, her mother crossed herself.

* * *