Determined to prove himself England's greatest magician, Mr Norrell makes a dangerous pact with a mysterious being.

John Segundus and Mr Honeyfoot visit Jonathan and his wife Arabella, introducing them to Mr Norrell. Norrell is impressed by Jonathan's intuitive form of magic and takes him on as his apprentice.

Jonathan arrives in Portugal to be met with a derisory reception from the Duke of Wellington. In London a concerned Arabella visits the reclusive, disturbed Lady Pole, attracting the attention of the Gentleman, which she rebuffs.

Norrell survives the attempt to kill him by Lady Pole. Along with Jonathan he is summoned to use magic to cure the madness of King George but refuses.

Jonathan returns home to Arabella and the publication of his book on the history of magic. Meanwhile Lady Pole predicts something bad will befall Arabella.

Having fled England to Venice, Strange attempts to drive himself insane as a way of gaining access to the fairy magic that he believes can help him resurrect his wife. In so doing, he unleashes a curse that threatens to destroy him utterly.