pp.thegoldencompass-第11部分

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ore　you　will　be　a　young　woman；　and　not　a　child　anymore。　A　young　lady。　And　believe　me；　you'll　find　Jordan　College　a　far　from　easy　place　to　live　in　then。〃
　　〃But　it's　my　home！〃
　　〃It　has　been　your　home。　But　now　you　need　something　else。〃
　　〃Not　school。　I'm　not　going　to　school。〃
　　〃You　need　female　pany。　Female　guidance。〃
　　The　word　female　only　suggested　female　Scholars　to　Lyra；　and　she　involuntarily　made　a　face。　To　be　exiled　from　the　grandeur　of　Jordan；　the　splendor　and　fame　of　its　scholarship；　to　a　dingy　brick…built　boardinghouse　of　a　college　at　the　northern　end　of　Oxford；　with　dowdy　female　Scholars　who　smelled　of　cabbage　and　mothballs　like　those　two　at　dinner！
　　The　Master　saw　her　expression；　and　saw　Pantalaimon's　polecat　eyes　flash　red。
　　He　said；　〃But　suppose　it　were　Mrs。　Coulter？〃
　　Instantly　Pantalaimon's　fur　changed　from　coarse　brown　to　downy　white。　Lyra's　eyes　widened。
　　〃Really？〃
　　〃She　is　by　way　of　being　acquainted　with　Lord　Asriel。　Your　uncle；　of　course；　is　very　concerned　with　your　welfare；　and　when　Mrs。　Coulter　heard　about　you；　she　offered　at　once　to　help。　There　is　no　Mr。　Coulter；　by　the　way；　she　is　a　widow。　Her　husband　died　very　sadly　in　an　accident　some　years　ago；　so　you　might　bear　that　in　mind　before　you　ask。〃
　　Lyra　nodded　eagerly；　and　said；　〃And　she's　really　going　to　。　。　。　look　after　me？〃
　　〃Would　you　like　that？〃
　　〃Yes！〃
　　She　could　hardly　sit　still。　The　Master　smiled。　He　smiled　so　rarely　that　he　was　out　of　practice；　and　anyone　watching　（Lyra　wasn't　in　a　state　to　notice）　would　have　said　it　was　a　grimace　of　sadness。
　　〃Well；　we　had　better　ask　her　in　to　talk　about　it；〃　he　said。
　　He　left　the　room；　and　when　he　came　back　a　minute　later　with　Mrs。　Coulter；　Lyra　was　on　her　feet；　too　excited　to　sit。　Mrs。　Coulter　smiled；　and　her　daemon　bared　his　white　teeth　in　a　grin　of　implike　pleasure。　As　she　passed　her　on　the　way　to　the　armchair；　Mrs。　Coulter　touched　Lyra's　hair　briefly；　and　Lyra　felt　a　current　of　warmth　flow　into　her；　and　blushed。
　　When　the　Master　had　poured　some　brantwijn　for　her；　Mrs。　Coulter　said；　〃So；　Lyra；　I'm　to　have　an　assistant；　am　I？〃
　　〃Yes；〃　said　Lyra　simply。　She　would　have　said　yes　to　anything。
　　〃There's　a　lot　of　work　I　need　help　with。〃
　　〃I　can　work！〃
　　〃And　we　might　have　to　travel。〃
　　〃I　don't　mind。　I'd　go　anywhere。〃
　　〃But　it　might　be　dangerous。　We　might　have　to　go　to　the　North。〃
　　Lyra　was　speechless。　Then　she　found　her　voice：　〃Soon？〃
　　Mrs。　Coulter　laughed　and　said；　〃Possibly。　But　you　know　you'll　have　to　work　very　hard。　You'll　have　to　learn　mathematics；　and　navigation；　and　celestial　geography。〃
　　〃Will　you　teach　me？〃
　　〃Yes。　And　you'll　have　to　help　me　by　making　notes　and　putting　my　papers　in　order　and　doing　various　pieces　of　basic　calculation；　and　so　on。　And　because　we'll　be　visiting　some　important　people；　we'll　have　to　find　you　some　pretty　clothes。　There's　a　lot　to　learn；　Lyra。〃
　　〃I　don't　mind。　I　want　to　learn　it　all。〃
　　〃I'm　sure　you　will。　When　you　e　back　to　Jordan　College；　you'll　be　a　famous　traveler。　Now　we're　going　to　leave　very　early　in　the　morning；　by　the　dawn　zeppelin；　so　you'd　better　run　along　and　go　straight　to　bed。　I'll　see　you　at　breakfast。　Goodnight！〃
　　〃Goodnight；〃　said　Lyra；　and；　remembering　the　few　manners　she　had；　turned　at　the　door　and　said；　〃Goodnight；　Master。〃
　　He　nodded。　〃Sleep　well；〃　he　said。
　　〃And　thanks；〃　Lyra　added　to　Mrs。　Coulter。
　　
　　She　did　sleep；　finally；　though　Pantalaimon　wouldn't　settle　until　she　snapped　at　him；　when　he　became　a　hedgehog　out　of　pique。　It　was　still　dark　when　someone　shook　her　awake。
　　〃Lyra…hush…don't　start…wake　up；　child。〃
　　It　was　Mrs。　Lonsdale。　She　was　holding　a　candle；　and　she　bent　over　and　spoke　quietly；　holding　Lyra　still　with　her　free　hand。
　　〃Listen。　The　Master　wants　to　see　you　before　you　join　Mrs。　Coulter　for　breakfast。　Get　up　quickly　and　run　across　to　the　lodging　now。　Go　into　the　garden　and　tap　at　the　French　window　of　the　study。　You　understand？〃
　　Fully　awake　and　on　fire　with　puzzlement；　Lyra　nodded　and　slipped　her　bare　feet　into　the　shoes　Mrs。　Lonsdale　put　down　for　her。
　　〃Never　mind　washing…that'll　do　later。　Go　straight　down　and　e　straight　back。　I'll　start　your　packing　and　have　something　for　you　to　wear。　Hurry　now。〃
　　The　dark　quadrangle　was　still　full　of　the　chill　night　air。　Overhead　the　last　stars　were　still　visible；　but　the　light　from　the　east　was　gradually　soaking　into　the　sky　above　the　Hall。　Lyra　ran　into　the　Library　Garden；　and　stood　for　a　moment　in　the　immense　hush；　looking　up　at　the　stone　pinnacles　of　the　chapel；　the　pearl…green　cupola　of　the　Sheldon　Building；　the　white…painted　lantern　of　the　Library。　Now　that　she　was　going　to　leave　these　sights；　she　wondered　how　much　she'd　miss　them。
　　Something　stirred　in　the　study　window　and　a　glow　of　light　shone　out　for　a　moment。　She　remembered　what　she　had　to　do　and　tapped　on　the　glass　door。　It　opened　almost　at　once。
　　〃Good　girl。　e　in　quickly。　We　haven't　got　long；〃　said　the　Master；　and　drew　the　curtain　back　across　the　door　as　soon　as　she　had　entered。　He　was　fully　dressed　in　his　usual　black。
　　〃Aren't　I　going　after　all？〃　Lyra　asked。
　　〃Yes；　I　can't　prevent　it；〃　said　the　Master；　and　Lyra　didn't　notice　at　the　time　what　an　odd　thing　that　was　to　say。　〃Lyra；　I'm　going　to　give　you　something；　and　you　must　promise　to　keep　it　private。　Will　you　swear　to　that？〃
　　〃Yes；〃　Lyra　said。
　　He　crossed　to　the　desk　and　took　from　a　drawer　a　small　package　wrapped　in　black　velvet。　When　he　unfolded　the　cloth；　Lyra　saw　something　like　a　large　watch　or　a　small　clock：　a　thick　disk　of　gold　and　crystal。　It　might　have　been　a　pass　or　something　of　the　sort。
　　〃What　is　it？〃　she　said。
　　〃It's　an　alethiometer。　It's　one　of　only　six　that　were　ever　made。　Lyra；　I　urge　you　again：　keep　it　private。　It　would　be　better　if　Mrs。　Coulter　didn't　know　about　it。　Your　uncle…〃
　　〃But　what　does　it　do？〃
　　〃It　tells　you　the　truth。　As　for　how　to　read　it；　you'll　have　to　learn　by　yourself。　Now　go…it's　getting　lighter…hurry　back　to　your　room　before　anyone　sees　you。〃
　　He　folded　the　velvet　over　the　instrument　and　thrust　it　into　her　hands。　It　was　surprisingly　heavy。　Then　he　put　his　own　hands　on　either　side　of　her　head　and　held　her　gently　for　a　moment。
　　She　tried　to　look　up　at　him；　and　said；　〃What　were　you　going　to　say　about　Uncle　Asriel？〃
　　〃Your　uncle　presented　it　to　Jordan　College　some　years　ago。　He　might…〃
　　Before　he　could　finish；　there　came　a　soft　urgent　knock　on　the　door。　She　could　feel　his　hands　give　an　involuntary　tremor。
　　〃Quick　now；　child；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃The　powers　of　this　world　are　very　strong。　Men　and　women　are　moved　by　tides　much　fiercer　than　you　can　imagine；　and　they　sweep　us　all　up　into　the　current。　Go　well；　Lyra；　bless　you；　child；　bless　you。　Keep　your　own　counsel。〃
　　〃Thank　you；　Master；〃　she　said　dutifully。
　　Clutching　the　bundle　to　her　breast；　she　left　the　study　by　the　garden　door；　looking　back　briefly　once　to　see　the　Master's　daemon　watching　her　from　the　windowsill。　The　sky　was　lighter　already；　there　was　a　faint　fresh　stir　in　the　air。
　　〃What's　that　you've　got？〃　said　Mrs。　Lonsdale；　closing　the　battered　little　suitcase　with　a　snap。
　　〃The　Master　gave　it　me。　Can't　it　go　in　the　suitcase？〃
　　〃Too　late。　I'm　not　opening　it　now。　It'll　have　to　go　in　your　coat　pocket；　whatever　it　is。　Hurry　on　down　to　the　buttery；　don't　keep　them　waiting　。　。　。　。〃
　　
　　It　was　only　after　she'd　said　goodbye　to　the　few　servants　who　were　up；　and　to　Mrs。　Lonsdale；　that　she　remembered　Roger；　and　then　she　felt　guilty　for　not　having　thought　of　him　once　since　meeting　Mrs。　Coulter。　How　quickly　it　had　all　happened！　But　no　doubt　Mrs。　Coulter　would　help　her　look　for　him；　and　she　was　bound　to　have　powerful　friends　who　could　get　him　back　from　wherever　he'd　disappeared　to。　He　was　bound　to　turn　up　eventually。
　　And　now　she　was　on　her　way　to　London：　sitting　next　to　the　window　in　a　zeppelin；　no　less；　with　Pantalaimon's　sharp　little　ermine　paws　digging　into　her　thigh　while　his　front　paws　rested　against　the　glass　he　gazed　through。　On　Lyra's　other　side　Mrs。　Coulter　sat　working　through　some　papers；　but　she　soon　put　them　away　and　talked。　Such　brilliant　talk！　Lyra　was　intoxicated；　not　about　the　North　this　time；　but　about　London；　and　the　restaurants　and　ballrooms；　the　soirees　at　embassies　or　ministries；　the　intrigues　between　White　Hall　and　Westminster。　Lyra　was　almost　more　fascinated　by　this　than　by　the　changing　landscape　below　the　airship。　What　Mrs。　Coulter　was　saying　seemed　to　be　acpanied　by　a　scent　of　grownupness；　something　disturbing　but　enticing　at　the　same　time：　it　was　the　smell　of　glamour。
　　
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　　The　landing　in　Falkeshall　Gardens；　the　boat　ride　across　the　wide　brown　river；　the　grand　mansion　block　on　the　Embankment　where　a　stout　missionaire　（a　sort　of　porter　with　medals）　saluted　Mrs。　Coulter　and　winked　at　Lyra；　who　sized　him　up　expressionlessly。
　　And　then　the　flat　。　。　。　
　　Lyra　could　only　gasp。
　　She　had　seen　a　great　deal　of　beauty　in　her　short　life；　but　it　was　Jordan　College　beauty；　Oxford　beauty…grand　and　stony　and　masculine。　In　Jordan　College；　much　was　magnificent；　but　nothing　was　pretty。　In　Mrs。　Coulter's　flat；　everything　was　pretty。　It　was　full　of　light；　for　the　wide　windows　faced　south；　and　the　walls　were　covered　in　a　delicate　gold…and…white　striped　wallpaper。　Charming　pictures　in　gilt　frames；　an　antique　looking…glass；　fanciful　sconces　bearing　anbaric　lamps　with　frilled　shades；　and　frills　on　the　cushions　too；　and　flowery　valances　over　the　curtain　rail；　and　a　soft　green　leaf…pattern　carpet　underfoot；　and　every　surface　was　covered；　it　seemed　to　Lyra's　innocent　eye；　with　pretty　little　china　boxes　and　shepherdesses　and　harlequins　of　porcelain。
　　Mrs。　Coulter　smiled　at　her　admiration。
　　〃Yes；　Lyra；〃　she　said；　〃there's　such　a　lot　to　show　you！　Take　your　coat　off　and　I'll　take　you　to　the　bathroom。　You　can　have　a　wash；　and　then　we'll　have　some　lunch　and　go　shopping　。　。　。　。〃
　　The　bathroom　was　another　wonder。　Lyra　was　used　to　washing　with　hard　yellow　soap　in　a　chipped　basin；　where　the　water　that　struggled　out　of　the　taps　was　warm　at　best；　and　often　flecked　with　rust。　But　here　the　water　was　hot；　the　soap　rose…pink　and　fragrant；　the　towels　thick　and　cloud…soft。　And　around　the　edge　of　the　tinted　mirror　there　were　little　pink　lights；　so　that　when　Lyra　looked　into　it　she　saw　a　softly　illuminated　figure　quite　unlike　the　Lyra　she　knew。
　　Pantalaimon；　who　was　imitating　the　form　of　Mrs。　Coulter's　daemon；　crouched　on　the　edge　of　the　basin　making　faces　at　her。　She　pushed　him　into　the　soapy　water　and　suddenly　remembered　the　alethiometer　in　her　coat　pocket。　She'd　left　the　coat　on　a　chair　in　the　other　room。　She'd　promised　the　Master　to　keep　it　secret　from　Mrs。　Coulter　。　。　。　。
　　Oh；　this　was　confusing。　Mrs。　Coulter　was　so　kind　and　wise；　whereas　Lyra　had　actually　seen　the　Master　trying　to　poison　Uncle　Asriel。　Which　of　them　did　she　owe　most　obedience　to？
　　She　rubbed　herself　dry　hastily　and　hurried　back　to　the　sitting　room；　where　her　coat　still　lay　untouched；　of　course。
　　〃Ready？〃　said　Mrs。　Coulter。　〃I　thought　we'd　go　to　the　Royal　Arctic　Institute　for　lunch。　I'm　one　of　the　very　few　female　members；　so　I　might　as　well　use　the　privileges　I　have。〃
　　Twenty　minutes'　walk　took　the