The decline and fall of classical novae

Questions concerning the evolution of classical nova systems through outburst to the following preoutburst state are addressed. Attention is given to the sequence of events involving common envelope evolution which naturally occurs following thermonuclear runaway in the accreted hydrogen shells of white dwarf binary components. It is shown that a significant fraction of the envelope may be lost as a result of dynamical friction during the relatively short-lived common envelope phase. The residual hydrogen rich envelope matter may be consumed by nuclear burning or wind driven mass loss or both on time scales compatible with available observations. It is pointed out that current estimates of fluxes during the late stages of nova evolution may require confirmation by Exosat observations.