Le Cirque des R0ves arrives outside London after nightfall, assembling itself in silence as train cars unfold into rooms and striped canvas unfurls. The performers assume an unseen crew is at work, but the narration notes there is no longer any crew or stagehands; they are no longer necessary. The circus remains dark until the following evening.

Celia Bowen spends the night alone in her modest backstage suite until Tsukiko arrives and insists Celia join her for a social engagement. Tsukiko dresses Celia in a blue velvet gown and takes her, without explanation, to la maison Lefe8vre for a Midnight Dinner. Celia is welcomed warmly by Chandresh and the familiar circle of guests, including Mme. Padva, the Burgess sisters, and Mr. Barris, though Celia feels slightly out of place among their long-standing camaraderie.

During conversation Celia learns more about how Lainie and Tara Burgess shaped the circus through subtle sensory designa0(scent, music, light, and textures). Celia notices a movement that signals her father, Hector Bowen, and slips into the shadowed library to confront him. Hector criticizes Celia for wasting time and warns Celia not to trust anyone at the gathering; Celia pushes back, arguing that knowing these people helps Celia control and manipulate what they have built into the circus.

Marco, Chandresh27s assistant, finds Celia in the library and escorts her to dinner, defusing the awkwardness with unusually easy charm. Seated among the guests, Celia studies their dynamics: Chandresh27s interest in his handsome assistant Mr. Alisdair becomes increasingly apparent, and Celia deduces which Burgess sister Mr. Barris favors. She also notices something haunted in Tara that reminds Celia of Celia27s mother. After an elaborate dessert of sugar globes with unique flavors, the evening ends with affectionate goodbyes and invitations for Celia to meet the group again while the circus stays in London.

After Celia leaves, the point of view shifts to Marco. Marco checks the house, then visits Chandresh, who cancels a meeting, orders more brandy, and pointedly praises Celia, implying he wants Celia invited to future dinners. Marco returns alone to the library and stands where Celia had been, unable to guess what she was doing there2d2dbut Marco does not notice unseen eyes watching him from the shadows.