Enigmatic Young Woman

Cousin Ione at Yewhurst 1922. That is all it says. Ione looks as if she should be reading but there is no book visible. Is she a reluctant subject? I think not. What does interest me, however, is what she seems to be clutching in her right hand. What could it be? A portal device to assist an Edwardian lady to slip into another dimension, a Derringer pistol concealed, but ready to us on an intrusive photographer or what? What do you think?