[ The problem with trying to drive yourself deliberately mad is that sometimes it's a bit hard to distinguish reality from madness. So when he hears the voice of Childermass, Strange can't help but perk up a bit. He looks around, as if to see the man...but nothing. Just his own reflection, as unkempt as it is.

Of course, that doesn't change anything. This could be another trick, like the mirrors, whispering Childermass's voice to him the same way that it whispers his own inadequacies. Or this could be Childermass himself. But why not show himself if he was? The man deliberately tends towards skulking, but surely a familiar face outweighs that sort of proclivity.

Or not. It's not like Strange and Norrell parted on good terms after all. ]

Childermass? [ he asks, a hint of curiosity in his voice. ] Or just this bloody maze playing with my thoughts again.

[ Lightly rapping on the mirror with his knuckles as if that'll give him an answer, he continues talking. ]

That spell should have worked, you know. What sort of magic does this place have to counteract mine?

[ Because of course his spell worked. It worked before, why shouldn't it work now, obviously the spell worked! ]