The photographer's chair

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

When Clara entered Mr Rook's studio, the chair stood waiting in a square of winter light. She had promised her sister, who was leaving by ship at the week's end, a portrait before the departure. Clara placed her bonnet on the chair, then lifted it again and pinned it more firmly to her hair. Mr Rook drew the curtain across the window.

“Would the light be kinder from the other side?” he asked.

“It is not the light,” Clara said, and looked towards the mirror.

In her pocket was a small silver brooch that had belonged to her mother. Clara had carried it there all morning without fastening it. Now she fixed it beneath her collar. In the mirror, the brooch caught the light, while the mouth above it seemed strangely unfamiliar. She turned the mirror towards the wall.

Mr Rook prepared the portrait and did not ask her to smile. Clara sat down, but kept her gloved hands together. When he raised the shutter, she lifted her chin. Afterwards she remained in the chair.

“Send it,” she whispered.

The words seemed to travel beyond the room.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to present the different reasons for Clara's hesitation. Support your answer with references to the passage.