When Georgiana returned to the tent, the banquet was still underway. Because it was raining outside, the performances could no longer continue on the outdoor stage, but that did not hinder the magicians. They began performing close-up magic.
"All right, you've all made your choices. Please place your cards anywhere you like in this deck." A magician addressed the watching audience. Four people had each chosen an ace. Following the magician's instructions, they inserted them at random positions in the deck, and then he began shuffling.
Then something magical happened. The four aces appeared right at the top of the deck.
Georgiana paid no attention to the little trick and walked to one side.
"Alone?" Mr. Stanley suddenly appeared and blocked her path.
"I need to stay and look after the guests," Georgiana said with a smile. "Why are you alone?"
"Because I'm always ready to be your knight." Stanley smiled and bent his arm. "May I?"
Georgiana hesitated for a moment, then took Stanley's arm and continued wandering around the tent.
Other than the lack of animals, the place was becoming more and more like a circus.
"You just missed Vildale's escape act." Stanley pointed at a bare-chested Italian man. "He was the most famous magician of the late eighteenth century."
"What is that for?" Georgiana asked, looking in another direction.
An officer was struggling to carry a small box that looked light enough for a ten-year-old child to lift.
"I'll tell you a secret." Stanley leaned close to Georgiana's ear. "There's a steel plate inside that box, and a magnet beneath the stage. Once the power is switched on, it produces an incredibly strong pull."
"How did you know that?" Georgiana looked at him in surprise.
"I know an engineer whose hobby is exposing the tricks of 'magicians.'"