Strange smiled. “Well, all that is just as I would have expected. He can scarcely bear the existence of a second magician. A third will probably be the death of him. I shall soon have the advantage of him. In the struggle to decide the character of English magic the sides will be very unevenly matched. There will only be one Norrellite magician and dozens of Strangite magicians. Or at least, as many as I can educate. I am thinking of setting up Jeremy Johns as a sort of anti-Childermass. He can go about the country seeking out all the people whom Norrell and Childermass have persuaded out of the study of magic and then he and I can persuade them back into it. I have had conversations with several young men already. Two or three are very promising. Lord Chaldecott’s second son, Henry Purfois, has read a great many fourth-rate books about magic and fifth-rate biographies of magicians. It makes his conversation a little tedious, but he is scarcely to blame for that, poor fellow. Then there is William Hadley-Bright who was one of Wellington’s aides-de-camp at Waterloo, and an odd little man called Tom Levy who is presently employed as a dancing-master in Norwich.”

“A dancing-master?” frowned Sir Walter. “But is that really the sort of person whom we should be encouraging to take up magic? Surely it is a profession that ought to be reserved for gentlemen?”

“I do not see why. And besides I like Levy best. He is the first person I have met in years who regards magic as something to be enjoyed – and he is also the only one of the three who has managed to learn any practical magic. He made the window frame over there sprout branches and leaves. I dare say you were wondering why it is in that odd condition.”

“To own the truth,” said Sir Walter, “the room is so full of oddities that I had not even noticed.”

“Of course Levy did not intend that it should remain like that,” said Strange, “but after he did the magic he could not make it go back – and neither could I. I suppose I must tell Jeremy to find a carpenter to repair it.”

“I am delighted you have found so many young men to suit you,” said Sir Walter. “That bodes well for English magic.”

“I have also had several applications from young ladies,” said Strange.

“Ladies!” exclaimed Lord Portishead.

“Of course! There is no reason why women should not study magic. That is another of Norrell’s fallacies.”

“Hmm. They come thick and fast now,” remarked Sir Walter.

“What do?”

“Norrell’s fallacies.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing! Nothing! Do not take offence. But I notice you do not mention taking any ladies as pupils yourself.”