“What magic?” asked Childermass. “What are you talking about? And you need not concern yourself any longer about Mr Norrell. He has problems of his own and knows nothing of my being here. What have you been doing, Mr Segundus?”

“Only watching and recording – as a magician should.” Mr Segundus leant forward eagerly. “And I have come to some surprizing conclusions concerning Lady Pole’s illness!”

“Oh?”

“In my opinion it is not madness at all. It is magic!” Mr Segundus waited for Childermass to be amazed. He looked a little disappointed when Childermass simply nodded.

“I have something that belongs to her ladyship,” said Childermass. “Something she has long missed. So I beg that you will do me the kindness of taking me to her.”

“Oh, but …”

“I mean her no harm, Mr Segundus. And I believe I may be able to do her some good. I swear it by Bird and Book. By Bird and Book.”1

“I cannot take you to her,” said Mr Segundus. He put up his hand to forestall Childermass’s objection. “I do not mean that I am unwilling. I mean I cannot. Charles will take us.” He indicated the servant at his side.

This seemed rather eccentric, but Childermass was in no mood to argue about it. Mr Segundus grasped Charles’s arm and closed his eyes.

Behind the stone-and-oak passages of Starecross Hall, a vision of another house leapt up. Childermass saw high corridors that stretched away into unthinkable distances. It was as if two transparencies had been put into a magic lantern at the same time, so that one picture overlaid the other. The impression of walking through both houses at once rapidly brought on a sensation akin to sea-sickness. Confusion mounted in his mind and, had he been alone, he would soon have been at a loss to know which way to go. He could not tell whether he was walking or falling, whether he climbed one step, or mounted a staircase of impossible length. Sometimes he seemed to be skimming across an acre of stone flags, while at the same time he was scarcely moving at all. His head spun and he felt sick.

“Stop! Stop!” he cried and sank to the ground with his eyes closed.

“It affects you badly,” said Mr Segundus. “Worse even than me. Close your eyes and take hold of my arm. Charles will lead us both.”

They walked on, eyes closed. Charles guided them round a right-hand turning and up a staircase. At the top of the staircase there was a murmured conversation between Mr Segundus and someone. Charles drew Childermass forward. Childermass had the impression of entering a room. It smelt of clean linen and dried roses.