"Neither you nor Sylvia Redbright have given Abbigail Widdowson any reason to care for you in return," Childermass points out, remaining calm in the face of Norrell's fluster and frustrations.

"She is a witch, she is powerful, and like it or not she is qualified for the position. Is that what you fear?" he asks, giving the other man a direct look. "Do you fear her power? Her potential gain of power in this? Do you think she is going to turn them against you, the way you are attempting to turn them against her?"