The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Contents
Invitation: LONDON, OCTOBER 30, 1901
Overview
In London, Celia Bowen chooses to seek out the man in the grey suit rather than go to Marco’s flat, signaling a shift from private longing to confronting the contest’s forces directly. By standing unnoticed in the Midland Grand Hotel until he appears, Celia controls the meeting on her terms. After Celia speaks, the grey-suited man offers only a nod, leaving the power balance—and Celia’s next move—tense and unresolved.
Summary
When Le Cirque des Rêves arrives in London, Celia Bowen considers going straight to Marco’s flat, guided by the address printed on the card she always keeps with her.
Instead, Celia goes to the Midland Grand Hotel and deliberately avoids drawing attention. Celia makes no inquiries at the desk and speaks to no one, standing motionless in the lobby long enough to become effectively invisible amid the hotel’s traffic.
After more than an hour, a man in a grey suit approaches Celia. Celia speaks to him while he listens without visible reaction; when Celia finishes, the grey-suited man only nods. Celia gives a perfect curtsey and leaves, while the grey-suited man remains alone and unnoticed in the lobby for some time.
Who Appears
- Celia BowenCircus illusionist; chooses to meet the grey-suited man in London instead of visiting Marco.
- The man in the grey suitOverseer of the contest; approaches Celia at the hotel, listens impassively, and only nods.