The Phoenix Crown: A Novel

Gemma and Suling realize that Nellie and Reggie are the same person. Up until this point, Reggie’s gender has not been stated, but it becomes clear that Reggie is a woman at the beginning of this chapter. Suling tells Gemma that Henry was Reggie’s patron and lover, but that she left right before her exhibition opened. Gemma is upset that Henry lied when she asked if he’d seen Nellie. Suling breaks “the red silk cord” (150) that holds Reggie’s ring around her neck and throws it in the trash. Gemma retrieves it and explains that it is a cheap ring because she and Reggie were very poor, but it belonged to Reggie’s mother, so it is precious. Suling questions the idea that Reggie would go off to Colorado, pointing out that her letter to Gemma is typed, not handwritten. Gemma realizes that the letter is addressed to her stage name, Gemma, rather than her real name, Sally. This too suggests that the letter is not authentic. Suling and Gemma worry about what Henry has done.

Gemma calls for a servant to ask questions about Nellie/Reggie, and Suling advises that they talk to Kathleen. When Kathleen arrives, Gemma claims to be seeking another piece of art by the person who made the sketch. They learn that a footman named Jonathan was fired after Nellie/Reggie left. After Kathleen leaves, they search the room for clues. Gemma suggests they search Henry’s office for evidence of money paid to hide Nellie/Reggie. The only opportunity for this will be during Gemma’s performance with the Met that night. Gemma describes where she saw a servant hide the key to Henry’s office, and Suling agrees to look while Henry is distracted at the opera and leave a note for Gemma. As she heads back to Chinatown, Suling thinks about how she won’t leave San Francisco until she finds Reggie.

Gemma fakes a migraine to get out of dinner with Henry. As a maid helps her get ready the next day, she worries about Reggie. When she arrives for rehearsal at the Grand Opera House, everyone is cold to her. She sees the leads, Enrico Caruso and Olive Fremstad, arguing on stage. The conductor tells her she is singing the part of Micaela in Carmen that night. Gemma remembers asking Henry to buy her a role and realizes he did. This causes the other cast and crew members to make snide remarks about her. Gemma tells George that she didn’t know this was happening, and there are roses with a card that says “Surprise!” (163) from Henry. Olive is impressed rather than angry, but she warns Gemma not to upstage her.

Suling goes on the laundry delivery route with Old Kow. She is short with him because she is worried about Reggie. When she gets home, Third Uncle is angry that she lied about where she was working. She says she doesn’t want to marry Dr. Ouyang. Third Uncle tears up her train ticket, slaps her, and demands she get ready to have dinner with the doctor. In her room, she discovers that Third Uncle hasn’t discovered her stash of money, only the ticket. Taking the money and a few other items, she prepares to climb out of the window.

Suling recalls introducing Reggie to Madam Ning, who liked Reggie, believing her to be different from other white girls. Madame Ning told Suling about the history of LBGT+ relationships in Chinese history and said she approved of Suling loving another woman, if it makes her happy.

Suling recalls Reggie suggesting they pose as roommates in order to live together. Suling countered that they would be more convincing if Suling was Reggie’s maid, due to racism. Reggie insisted that her friends accept Suling as her lover, refusing to be friends with racists.

In the present, Suling uses her sheets as a rope and runs to Henry’s octagon house. Once inside, she finds the key to Henry’s office and searches inside. She discovers that he makes donations to all Protestant institutions, except for one: St. Christina’s. This Catholic asylum gets recurring monthly payments with the initials R.R. in check stubs. Suling fears Henry is paying to keep Reggie locked up there. After leaving a note for Gemma, Suling heads to the asylum.

At the end of the opera, Gemma feels disappointed with her performance. Caruso advises her to work on being less nervous, and says he plans to visit Henry’s party. Henry himself rushes off after the performance to finish preparations for the party, but he leaves a driver for Gemma and George. When Gemma is in her room at Henry’s house, she finds Suling’s note. Gemma berates herself for not investigating the letter earlier and feels horrible over “Nellie in her cage” (181). When the maid brings her the dragon robe, Gemma recalls Henry telling her that his collection of Chinese items was supplied by looters. She refuses to wear it. Henry comes into her room after she’s put on a different dress. He demands that she wear the Phoenix Crown, and she agrees.

Suling runs to St. Christina’s Convent and demands to see Reggie/Nelly, calling her by both names. Sister Margaret sends Suling away, calling her racist names and threatening to call the police. Suling sits across the street in a portico of a church and cries. Suling recalls talking to Madam Ning about some sex workers who are lesbians. She and Madame Ning are bound by a red silk thread, and Suling thinks she has the same kind of connection with Reggie.