There are an awful lot of points in Norrell's opening speech. Tirade might be the better description. Sylvia has heard most of them before, from Norrell himself or from Peter who is sitting beside her, or from other witches with similar views. She doesn't think they're the majority – the majority of witches just want to be safe – but they are a noisy minority.

She rubs her eyes. "Any witch can visit headquarters. Did Abigail tell you that herself?"

It's a serious accusation to make, when Dee has served the Night Council faithfully for so many years. She has always been a voice of reason and caution, something that Sylvia has appreciated, but the world is changing. She wonders if these voices are being drowned out.