The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Contents
Three Cups of Tea with Lainie Burgess: LONDON, BASEL, AND CONSTANTINOPLE, 1900
Overview
Lainie Burgess follows the thread of her sister Tara’s death by questioning those closest to the circus’s hidden machinery, first Mme. Padva and then Mr. Barris, who admits he understands the situation but refuses to betray his trust. Lainie finally confronts Celia in Constantinople and learns the basic truth: the circus is the venue for a long-running magical challenge that ensnares others without their consent. The chapter shifts Lainie from outsider to informed participant, and her warning makes the cost of secrecy—and the contest—more explicit.
Summary
Lainie Burgess visits Mme. Ana Padva’s London studio near Highgate Cemetery. Over tea, Mme. Padva complains about assistants who linger for an inheritance and remarks that Chandresh has become unwell and diminished, though she tries to keep him occupied and away from trains. Before Lainie leaves, Mme. Padva sketches Lainie a softer version of a circus-inspired gown and tells her she intends to leave the studio to Lainie when she retires.
Lainie then appears at Mr. Barris’s carefully replicated office in Basel, arriving earlier than expected. She presses him about what he discussed with her late sister, Tara, and their conversation exposes unresolved grief and Mr. Barris’s longstanding proposal to Lainie. Lainie admits Tara was the “scope” to her “details,” and that she failed to see how the world no longer fit together.
When Lainie asks directly whether Mr. Barris knows what is happening behind the scenes, he admits that he does but refuses to explain because it would break a trust. He insists he has not lied, only withheld what he cannot share, and says Tara was advised to speak with Alexander if she wanted answers; he suspects that is why she went to the station. He also confirms Alexander knows far more than most.
Trying to move forward, Lainie asks about the circus’s whereabouts. Mr. Barris says he can find out through Friedrick Thiessen, who knows because Celia Bowen tells him where the circus is going. Lainie accepts dinner and agrees to stay in Switzerland awhile before catching up with the circus.
In Constantinople, Lainie meets Celia at the Pera Palace Hotel for tea and reveals that Tara died at St. Pancras Station after visiting the Midland Grand Hotel. Lainie explains Tara’s real mistake was seeking answers from the wrong people, and demands honesty from Celia; Celia gives a guarded explanation of the ongoing magical challenge and the circus as its venue. Afterward, a dropped teacup shatters and is immediately repaired by magic, and Lainie warns Celia that secrecy has already gotten people killed, offering help and reminding her that people are not as easily fixed as teacups.
Who Appears
- Lainie BurgessPerformer and Tara’s sister; investigates Tara’s death and demands the truth from Celia.
- Celia BowenIllusionist bound to the contest; gives Lainie a guarded explanation and repairs the shattered teacup.
- Mr. Barris (Ethan Barris)Architect with a movable office; admits he knows what’s happening but refuses to explain.
- Mme. Ana PadvaCostume designer; comments on Chandresh’s decline and promises to leave her studio to Lainie.
- Tara BurgessLainie’s late sister; sought answers and died at St. Pancras, motivating Lainie’s questions.
- Chandresh LefèvreCircus patron; described as increasingly preoccupied and diminished, needing others to prop him up.
- AlexanderPowerful figure tied to the contest; identified as someone who likely knows the full truth.
- Friedrick ThiessenCircus manager mentioned as Barris’s contact for the circus’s route via Celia’s information.