Norrell takes a deep breath and lets it out in a sigh, staring down Childermass a moment. His irritation is still palpable, but it is easing a little.

"What should I do?" he prompts finally. "I set out to win this territory back, to prove myself further. Now what do I have to show for it? They will be disappointed. They will say I was good enough, that I am weak. Someone else may step forward."

And that, above all, is something Norrell greatly fears. Someone better than him taking his place. There are so many witches in London, and what if one of them were to challenge him?