Julia, once it became clear Margaret was not to be dissuaded, had generously thrown herself into making arrangements for the journey. She could neither understand nor approve of a decision which was so completely contrary to her own careful choices and her fervent desire for a family, but she had demonstrated a shrewd understanding of Margaret’s nature by suggesting Aunt Marion as her travelling companion.

As the train began its slow approach towards Queenstown harbour, Margaret smiled to herself as she studied the woman opposite her, who was frowning over her notebook, where a list of tasks was being methodically ticked off. Mrs. Marion Scrymgeour, or Aunt Marion, as she insisted upon being addressed, was in her mid-fifties and neatly but plainly garbed in a tweed jacket and skirt with a high-collared blouse. The skirt had two large, concealed pockets, and the blouse was a revolting shade of tobacco-brown, her preferred colour for travelling garb. It conceals the grime even the most fastidious of traveller must inevitably accumulate, and it repels the heat in warmer climes, she had informed Margaret, eyeing her own choice of dove grey with a disapproving frown.

Aunt Marion’s arrival at Powerscourt just under two weeks ago had been preceded by a barrage of letters containing detailed instructions which Julia and Margaret had diligently and most gratefully followed, covering everything from the most robust and commodious style of travelling trunk; the essential contents of a medical case, a dressing case, and a carpet-bag; to the itinerary for the journey and the travel papers which would be required. Though Julia was minded to question Aunt Marion’s assertion that the department stores in New York were reputed to be the best in the world and could supply all their needs when they arrived, Margaret was relieved to be spared the necessity of purchasing a new wardrobe. For herself, she could not imagine why a small flask of brandy, strong smelling-salts, a bottle of eau de toilette, and full set of clean undergarments and stockings must take up valuable room in her carpet-bag, leaving no room for her writing case or her book, but she decided to bow to Aunt Marion’s vast experience.