The Phoenix Crown: A Novel

Gemma, Suling, Reggie, and Alice meet at a cafe in Paris, where Gemma tries to make small talk and Suling sews some silk flowers on Alice’s hat. Reggie brags about Suling’s career. Suling and Reggie are able to be affectionate in public here. The women express regret for not visiting each other sooner, and Gemma thinks about what she left out of her letters. Alice then brings up Henry Thornton, who is going by William van Doren and is in Paris with his fiancée. Suling saw him at the Ritz, and they guess his new name is his real one. Reggie mentions how Henry wouldn’t let anyone take his photo. Alice and Gemma don’t want to confront him.

Clarkson is coming to Paris, and Alice believes he’ll put Henry in jail. She argues they should wait for him. They discuss whether there’s any chance he knows they’re alive, which they agree is unlikely. Suling tells them that Reggie hasn’t been able to do any serious painting since the traumatic events. Reggie expresses concern about Henry’s new fiancée, Cecilia Arenburg von Loxen. Given Henry’s history, von Loxen could be in danger.