Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Read Online Free PDF Page A

a third letter informing me of the society’s displeasure. The good opinion of the York society seems as easily lost as it is gained and a man may never know how he came to do either. In answer to the particular charge contained in your letter that I have exaggerated my abilities and laid claim to powers I cannot possibly possess I have only this to say: other men may fondly attribute their lack of success to a fault in the world rather than to their own poor scholarship, but the truth is that magic is as achievable in this Age as in any other; as I have proved to my own complete satisfaction any number of times within the last twenty years. But what is my reward for loving my art better than other men have done? — for studying harder to perfect it? — it is now circulated abroad that I am a fabulist; my professional abilities are slighted and my word doubted. You will not, I dare say, be much surprized to learn that under such circumstances as these I do not feel much inclined to oblige the York society in any thing — least of all a request for a display of magic. The Learned Society of York Magicians meets upon Wednesday next and upon that day I shall inform you of my intentions.
    Your servant
Gilbert Norrell
    This was all rather disagreeably mysterious. The theoretical magicians waited somewhat nervously to see what the practical magician would send them next. What Mr Norrell sent them next was nothing more alarming than an attorney, a smiling, bobbing, bowing attorney, a quite commonplace attorney called Robinson, with neat black clothes and neat kid gloves, with a document, the like of which the gentlemen of the York society had never seen before; a draft of an agreement, drawn up in accordance with England’s long-forgotten codes of magical law.
    Mr Robinson arrived in the upper room at the Old Starre promptly at eight and seemed to suppose himself expected. He had a place of business and two clerks in Coney-street. His face was well known to many of the gentlemen.
    “I will confess to you, sirs,” smiled Mr Robinson, “that this paper is largely the work of my principal, Mr Norrell. I am no expert upon thaumaturgic law. Who is nowadays? Still, I dare say that if I go wrong, you will be so kind as to put me right again.”
    Several of the York magicians nodded wisely.
    Mr Robinson was a polished sort of person. He was so clean and healthy and pleased about everything that he positively shone — which is only to be expected in a fairy or an angel, but is somewhat disconcerting in an attorney. He was most deferential to the gentlemen of the York society for he knew nothing of magic, but he thought it must be difficult and require great concentration of mind. But to professional humility and a genuine admiration of the York society Mr Robinson added a happy vanity that these monumental brains must now cease their pondering on esoteric matters for a time and listen to him. He put golden spectacles upon his nose, adding another small glitter to his shining person.
    Mr Robinson said that Mr Norrell undertook to do a piece of magic in a certain place at a certain time. “You have no objection I hope, gentlemen, to my principal settling the time and place?”
    The gentlemen had none.
    “Then it shall be the Cathedral, Friday fortnight.” 2
    Mr Robinson said that if Mr Norrell failed to do the magic then he would publicly withdraw his claims to be a practical magician — indeed to be any sort of magician at all, and he would give his oath never to make any such claims again.
    “He need not go so far,” said Mr Thorpe. “We have no desire to punish him; we merely wished to put his claims to the test.”
    Mr Robinson’s shining smile dimmed a little, as if he had something rather disagreeable to communicate and was not quite sure how to begin.
    “Wait,” said Mr Segundus, “we have not heard the other side of the bargain yet. We have not heard what he expects of us.”
    Mr Robinson nodded. Mr Norrell intended