On opening night in London, Chandresh Christophe Lefèvre refuses to enter any tents, choosing instead to wander the pathways and courtyard with Marco following and taking notes. Chandresh studies how the crowd moves, noting minor improvements to signs and entrances, while privately concluding the evening is already a dazzling success.

As midnight approaches, Chandresh positions himself to watch both the bonfire and the audience. He asks whether everything is ready, but finds no staff at hand and realizes Marco has disappeared into the crowd. Tara Burgess approaches, and they chat about the night’s progress and about Mrs. Murray, who is giving birth to twins nearby.

The twelve archers take their places and fire in sequence, igniting the bonfire in a rainbow of flame as the clock tolls. On the twelfth chime, the fire flares white-hot, and the entire courtyard seems to shudder—scarves fluttering and tent fabric quivering though there is no wind.

The crowd applauds, but Chandresh stumbles, drops his cigar, and turns abruptly dizzy and unsteady. Tara tries to support him and asks if he felt whatever just happened, but Chandresh can only repeat that he feels strange.

Marco reappears, concerned, and takes over, pulling Chandresh into a quieter corner. He firmly insists to Tara that Chandresh is fine and that she should not worry, effectively sending her away as he escorts Chandresh back into the crowd. Tara reunites with her sister Lainie, admits her curiosity about Marco, and then the sisters move on, circling the mesmerizing white bonfire with the rest of the patrons.