Chapter 20
Contains spoilersOverview
In Flora Gray’s diary entry, Flora recounts how denial kept her in a relationship with Algernon Braun despite warnings. Family pressure intensifies as the Grays and Brauns cultivate social and business ties, culminating in a calculated proposal where the Brauns gift a Fabergé egg in lieu of a ring. Flora accepts under pressure, realizes her value to them is transactional, and senses she has made a grave mistake.
Summary
Flora reflects on denial after a chaperoned interruption at a drive-in date with Algernon Braun, acknowledging she minimized his aggressive behavior and blamed herself. The following morning, Flora’s mother celebrates the match while Mrs. Mead disapproves; Flora defends Algernon to please her parents. Dates continue, with Algernon petulant when Flora enforces boundaries, but family approval keeps her engaged.
The Grays and Brauns deepen their association through opulent dinners and talk of “good breeding” and art as investment. John, Mrs. Mead’s nephew, admits he called Mrs. Mead to intervene at the drive-in and warns Flora she is making a mistake; Flora, influenced by jealousy and denial, dismisses him, Mrs. Mead, and Uncle Willy’s cautions about men’s agendas and the value of education.
When exams arrive, Flora’s father forbids her from taking them, declaring university pointless for her, and Flora withdraws from school. Soon after, Mrs. Mead proudly shares that John not only passed but topped the entrance exams; when Flora congratulates him, he is baffled she did not even try.
Flora’s father grows closer to Magnus Braun, sharing brandy, cigars, and private paperwork that would link both families and businesses. Two months after Flora met Algernon, the families gather at the Braun mansion’s art wing, where Priscilla Braun unveils a jewel-encrusted Fabergé egg on a pedestal, calling it a priceless, hard-won acquisition.
On cue, Algernon proposes publicly, noting both fathers’ blessings and pushing for a wedding when Flora turns eighteen. Flora hesitates, confused there is no ring; Priscilla explains the Fabergé egg will begin Flora’s trousseau and serve as proof of value and Algernon’s supposed devotion. Pressured by her mother’s exclamation of “She says yes!”, Flora echoes “yes,” immediately feeling ill and regretful.
As the parents celebrate and toast, Flora wanders to the pedestal and studies the Fabergé egg’s diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and gold base. She realizes that, to both families, the only truly valued object in the room is the egg—not her—cementing her sense of having made a terrible mistake.
Who Appears
- Flora Gray
narrator of the diary; pressured into accepting Algernon’s proposal; recognizes she is valued less than the Fabergé egg.
- Algernon Braun
Flora’s suitor; publicly tender, privately petulant; proposes with family support and without a ring, tied to business interests.
- Mrs. Mead
housekeeper/guardian figure; disapproves of Algernon; reports John’s university success; earlier intervened at the drive-in.
- Flora’s mother
enthusiastic about the match; pressures Flora to accept; advises on “the thrill of the chase.”
- Flora’s father
forbids Flora’s exams; forges private deals with Magnus Braun; celebrates the engagement.
- John
Mrs. Mead’s nephew; warns Flora she is making a mistake; excels academically and gains university admission.
- Uncle Willy
relative who hints about men with agendas and the value of education.
- Magnus Braun
Algernon’s father; partners with Flora’s father; helps stage the proposal; frames the egg as a prized acquisition.
- Priscilla Braun
Algernon’s mother; showcases the family’s art; presents the Fabergé egg as part of Flora’s trousseau.
- The Fabergé egg
jeweled object gifted by the Brauns as engagement offering; later central to the present-day mystery.