He put his hands in his pockets, took them out, ran his fingers through his hair, and sighed deeply. “I dare say her ladyship has been telling you all sorts of odd tales,” he said, unhappily.

Arabella nodded.

“And hearing them has distressed you. I am very sorry for it.”

“No, no. Not at all. Her ladyship did talk a little of … of what seemed rather odd, but I did not mind it. Not in the least! I felt a little faint. But do not connect the two, I beg you! It was nothing to do with her ladyship! I had a sort of foolish idea that there was a sort of mirror before me with all sorts of strange landscapes in it and I thought I was falling into it. I suppose I must have been about to faint and your coming in just then prevented it. But it is very odd. I never did such a thing before.”

“Let me fetch Mr Strange.”

Arabella laughed. “You may if you wish, but I assure you he will be a great deal less concerned about me than you are. Mr Strange has never been much interested in other people’s indispositions. His own are quite another matter! But, there is no need to fetch any body. See! I am myself again. I am perfectly well.”

There was a little pause.

“Lady Pole …” began Arabella and paused, not knowing quite how to continue.

“Her ladyship is generally calm enough,” said Sir Walter, “not exactly at peace, you understand, but calm enough. But on the rare occasions when any one new comes to the house, it always excites her to these outlandish speeches. I am sure you are too good to repeat any thing of what she has said.”

“Oh! Of course! I would not repeat it for the world!”

“You are very kind.”

“And may … may I come again? Her ladyship seems to wish it very much and I would be very happy in the acquaintance.”

Sir Walter took a long moment to consider this proposal. Finally he nodded. Then he somehow turned his nod into a bow. “I shall consider that you do us both great honour,” he said. “Thank you.”

Strange and Arabella left the house in Harley-street and Strange was in high spirits. “I see the way to do it,” he told her. “Nothing could be simpler. It is a pity that I must wait for Norrell’s opinion before beginning or I believe I might solve the entire problem in the next half hour. As I see it, there are two crucial points. The first … Whatever is the matter?”

With a little “Oh!” Arabella had stopt.