By early June the first volume of The History and Practice of English Magic was finished. Strange delivered it to Mr Murray and it surprized no one when, on the following day, he told Henry Purfois, William Hadley-Bright and Tom Levy that they must defer their magical education for a while as he had decided to go abroad.

“I think it an excellent plan!” said Sir Walter as soon as Strange told him of it. “A change of scene. A change of society. It is exactly what I would prescribe for you. Go! Go!”

“You do not think that it is too soon?” asked Strange anxiously. “I shall be leaving Norrell in possession of London so to speak.”

“You think we have such short memories as that? Well, we shall make every endeavour not to forget you in the space of a few months. Besides, your book will be published soon and that will serve as a standing reminder to us all of how ill we get on without you.”

“That is true. There is the book. It will take Norrell months to refute forty-six chapters and I shall be back long before he is finished.”

“Where shall you go?”

“Italy, I think. The countries of southern Europe have always had a strong attraction for me. I was often struck by the appearance of the countryside when I was in Spain – or at least I believe I would have found it very striking had it not been covered in soldiers and gunsmoke.”

“I hope you will write occasionally? Some token of your impressions?”

“Oh! I shall not spare you. It is the right of a traveller to vent their frustration at every minor inconvenience by writing of it to their friends. Expect long descriptions of everything.”

As often happened these days, Strange’s mood darkened suddenly. His light, ironic air evaporated upon the instant and he sat frowning at the coal-scuttle. “I wondered if you …” he said at last. “That is, I wish to ask you …” He made a sound of exasperation at his own hesitancy. “Would you convey a message to Lady Pole from me? I would be most grateful. Arabella was greatly attached to her ladyship and I know she would not have liked me to leave England without sending some message to Lady Pole.”

“Certainly. What shall I tell her?”

“Oh! Simply give her my heartfelt wishes for her better health. Whatever you think best. It does not matter what you say. But you must say that the message is from Arabella’s husband. I wish her ladyship to understand that her friend’s husband has not forgotten her.”

“With the greatest goodwill,” said Sir Walter. “Thank you.”